RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN—CHAPTER 18
THE COMING OF THE LORD
The various celestial hosts that came down to receive their offerings during the Horse-Sacrifice departed.
The king and his queens were freed their consecratory wow. The many kings who had come to grace the sacrifice were sent away with full honors. They saluted Vashistha and other sages and they left for their kingdoms.
Dasaratha returned to his capital in the company of Vashistha and other sages and his queens. His armies and his servants followed him in their countless conveyances. Then Rishyasringa and his wife took leave of Dasaratha. Along with them Romapada went. The king abode in his capital after all the guests were gone. His thoughts were ever intent on the approaching birth of his sons.
In the first month of the New Year, on the ninth day of the bright fortnight, the Lord of the worlds chose to take human form. He sent down half of His essence as the son of Kausalya. He was thenceforth to be called Rama, the world-honored One. He was the crowning glory of the grand line of Ikshvaku. He was the sum of all perfection. He was chosen to preside at his birth. The Sun, Mars, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn were in were in ascension in their respective houses. They were Aries, Capricornus, Cancer, Pisces and the Libra, Jupiter and the Moon. They were in conjunction. The rising sign was Cancer. And Kaushalya shone with unparalleled effulgence. She shone like Aditi when she gave birth to Indra. Indra is the Lord of the shining ones, the Vajra-wielder.
Bharata was born of Kaikeyi. He was born under the constellation of Pushya, when Pisces was the rising sign. He had in him the one-eighth of the Divine essence. He was the embodiment of every excellence. He was of never-failing prowess.
Under the asterism Aslesha, when Cancer was the rising sign, were born unto Sumitra two sons. There were Lakshmana and Satrughna. They were valiant and well-skilled in the science of arms, human and divine. They were twins. Lakshmana had in him one-fourth of the Divine Essence. And Satrughna had one-eighth of the Divne Essence. They were beautifully matched.
The Gandharvas sweetly sang. The Apsarasas gaily danced. The celestial drums beat merrily. And the flowers of Heaven rained on Earth when the Divine Four came down upon it. The capital and the kingdom was of one scene of mirth and jollity. It was a happy day. The high roads were crowded with bright citizens, dancers and dancing masters. The streets echoed to gay songs. The old king was beside himself. He gave away untold wealth.
On the thirteenth day of their birth the holy Vasishtha joyfully gave them names. He called Rama the son of Kausaly. Kaikeyi’s son answered to Bharata. And the twins from the womb of Sumitra were Lakshmana and Satrughna. On that occasion the king fed numerous Brahmins.
In due time, the boys passed through the sacraments laid down for the twice-born, Annaprasana, Choula and Upanayana!
Of the four, Rama was the eldest. He towered above the rest. He was a perennial source of delight to his father. He was the darling of all beings. Very soon they mastered the Vedas and Vedangas. They were brave and virtuous. They were ever intent upon helping others. Among them, Rama was the brightest and shone radiantly. He was of unfailing powers. He was a source of delight unto the world. He was like the Charming Queen of Night. He was the most expert in training the horses and elephants. He excelled in Chariot races. He was the master of the science of the Bow. He was ever assiduous in attending upon his parents.
Lakshmana was blessed with every excellence and perfection. He was ever devoted to his brother Rama. His thoughts, words, and deeds were set towards Rama. Rama could not sleep if Lakshmana wasn’t near. He did not relish his food even if they were very delicious if Lakshmana was not near. He regarded Lakshmana as his right Hand. When Rama rode out to hunt, Lakshmana accompanied him. Satrughana was to Bharata what Lakshmana was to Rama.
Dasaratha was surrounded by his four sons. And he was very happy. The sons grew in wisdom derived from the study of the art and sciences. Dasaratha’s heart gladdened to see them adorned with perfection. He saw them proficient in every worldly affair. The sons’ fame grew and they were known as prodigies of intellect. They developed the faculty to see into future and behave accordingly. The sons perfectly understood the love their father bore them.
Dasaratha one day took deep counsel with his High Priest and his kinsmen about the approaching marriage of his boys. One day the sage Viswamitra came to his gate. He said to the warden of the gates, “Go and tell your king that Viswamitra the son of Gadhi has come to see him!” The wardens were very much afraid of him. They ran to tell the king of the visit of the sage. The king hastily but humbly came to the gates to welcome the sage. His face shone with gladness at the sight of Viswamitra. The sage graciously accepted the king’s kindness. He inquired after his welfare. “Are you in the habit of collecting rare and valuable objects? Are your relations and friends in good health? Are your subject princes obedient? Are you regular in your sacrifices to the gods? Do you do your duty as a king? Do you entertain your guests properly?” He then inquired after the health of the sage Vashistha, Vamadeva and other sages.
Then Dasaratha exclaimed, “Holy One! This kind visit of yours gladdens my heart. Has your journey here been a pleasant one? What shall I do to gratify your wishes? Blessed I am. Heaven has sent me you today. The day that brought you is fair. It is now that my birth has born fruit. As a royal sage you have gratified every wish of yours. You also became a Brhamarishi. Every way you are an object of reverence. Your visit here has washed away all my sins. Allow me to carry out your wishes. You are a god to me! Your visit has increased my religious merit. Do not hesitate to tell me the object of your visit here. Whether it is small or great I give you my royal word to carry out it to the letter and spirit.”
Thus from a fullness of heart Dasaratha spoke. He also gave his word to carry out every wish of the royal sage.
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