RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN –CHAPTER 20
DASARATHA’S REPLY
The words of Visvamitra quite stunned Dasaratha. For a long while he remained like a lunatic. Then he mastered himself. He managed to reply in a faltering way. Rama is the darling of my eyes. His eyes are like lotus. He is still in his early teens. I can’t even think of him standing against the Rakshasas. My warriors are valiant. They are well-versed in the use of all kinds of weapons. I shall put myself at their head. And I shall wipe out these Rakshasas. My men are more competent to fight these demons. They can fight against both human and divine weapons. But do not ask me for Rama. Here I am, ready to march against them. Millions of tried soldiers are at my back. I promise you I shall myself go out there. I will see you accomplish your vow without any interruption. I pray you not to ask for Rama. He is a child yet. He has not finished his training. He does not know the weakness and strength of himself and of his enemies. He has never been in battle yet. He has no celestial weapons. Don’t you know that Rama is totally unfit to fight in such a battle? Rakshasas never fight straight. But they take refuge in the art of illusion. If you take Rama from me you take my dear life. But if you are bent upon taking Rama with you, take me and my warriors too. My son has gladdened my heart after sixty thousand years of fruitless grief. How can you even think of asking for Rama? He is the light of my eyes and prop of my old age. Of my four sons, Rama is nearest to my heart. Should I have to tell you Rama is the first born and the most steadfast in virtue? So don’t take Rama away from me. Who are these Rakshasas? Whose sons are they? What is their might? Wherein lies their strength? Under whose protection are they? How do you want Rama to fight against them? Tell me, for I will do it! How to render useless all their illusions? Instruct me how I can withstand these Rakshasas?”
Then replied Visvamitra: “May be you have heard of the Rakshasa, Ravana by name. He is descended of the ancient Pulastia. The sage Visravas is his father. He is own brother of Vaisravana. He is the monarch of Rakshasas on earth. His strength is immeasurable. His might is matchless. He is gifted with wonderful boons from Brahma. Countless hosts of Rakshasas are at his back. He grinds the three worlds beneath his heels. When he does not want to spoil a sacrifice, his creatures take his place. Maricha and Subahu are his creatures. They excel him in cruelty and wantonness.”
Then Dasaratha said with a faint heart, “I am powerless to cope with them. Have pity on my child of tender years. You are my Guru and Lord. The Devas, the Danavas, the Gandharvas, the Yakshas, the Nagas and the Pannagas cannot fight against Ravana. We are puny mortals. Ravana absorbs the strength and might of those that fight against him. I am not afraid of fighting against Ravana with my armies and my sons. On no account I will part with my darling Rama. He is beautiful like a god and child in years. Maricha and Subahu are sons of Sunda and Upasunda. They are extremely skilled in battle. They were born to Yaksha woman. They are terrible in battle. They are like the God of Death. They are set upon ruining your sacrifice. I shall never send my son with you. But if you desire I will call my friends and fight against anyone. But I will not fight against Maricha and Subahu.”
These words of Dasaratha roused the wrath of the son of Kusika. It blazed forth even as a sacrificial fire.
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