RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN –CHAPTER 21
VASISHTHA ADVISES DASARATHA TO SEND RAMA
But Visvamitra kept back his anger. He replied to the fond father in Dasaratha, “You seek to go back on your word now. This is unworthy of your race. Well, well, if you think that you have acted right, I will go back empty-handed. You reign in the peace of heart and in happiness.”
The solid earth shook to the foundation. The Gods trembled in dismay. Vasishtha could understand that the entire universe stood overpowered with fear. He addressed Dasaratha, “You are born in the line of Ikshvaku. You are an incarnation of justice and virtue. You are firm in your vows. You are endowed with every kind of worldly happiness. You should not now seek to swerve from your path of Right. You belong to the glorified line of Raghu. You are an ideal Monarch. You are a Great Giver. Now you shouldn’t shrink from your duty. You have said to the sage, ‘I will accomplish your object. And now if you seek to be unfaithful, you destroy the merit of every righteous act of your long life. So I advise you to send Rama with the sage, Visvamitra. Whether the Rakshasas are endowed with divine weapons or not they are but straw in front of the Sage’s fiery energy. The ambrosia is protected by the Gods from the fire. Like that Rama will be protected by Visvamitra’s high merit. Don’t you know the mystery behind his calling for Rama? Rama is the Great Law. He is the Supreme one. He is the source of valor, wisdom and spiritual might. Mortal eyes are clouded by the veil of ignorance. This prevents one from seeing his might.
“Visvamitra is Dharma embodied. He is the foremost of mighty warriors. None can beat him in knowledge and wisdom. He is the great exponent of meditation. He knows the secret of every magical weapon. None but he held sway over the earth. Not even the Gods, the Rishis, the Asuras, Rakshasas, the Gandharvas, the Yakshas, the Kinnaras and the Uragas could do it. When he sat on the throne of his forefathers the mighty sons of Bhrisasva were given to him. these grandsons of Prajapati, Daksha are countless. They are brilliant. They are of unspeakable might. Daksha had two charming daughters. Jaya and Suprabha were their names. They were the mothers of countless weapons, human and divine. Jaya brought forth five hundred. They are for the destruction of the Asura hosts. They are of inconceivable of might and can change forms at will. And Suprabha were born another five hundred. They were in no way behind their brothers. Visvamitra knows everything about them. Such is Visvamitra’s might that he can create new ones. His wisdom and vision extend into the remotest future. He has no equal neither in fame nor in virtue nor in holiness. Hence I tell you to not entertain any doubt about sending Rama along with him. To destroy these impious wretches is child’s play to the sage. He seeks you out only for the glory of Rama. So I pray you to give him Rama.”
The old heart of Dasaratha was filled with joy. And his face shone at the words of his guru, Vasishtha. Gladly he gave his consent to Visvamitra. He consented to send Rama with the sage. It was to the glory of himself and to the welfare of the worlds.
No comments:
Post a Comment