RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN –CHAPTER 31
THE TRIP TO MITHILA
They stayed for the night at Siddhashrama. For the heroic youths it was a happy night. They had succeeded in their mission. Next morning they were up at daybreak. They finished their daily observances. Then they went over to where Visvamitra and the other ascetics sat. Reverently they saluted their Guru. “Here we are your servants to command; what are our orders for the day?” they humbly asked. We are yours body and soul. Our father has made us over to you. And here is our place at your feet.”
Visvamitra replied for others. He said, “Janaka, the righteous ruler of Mithila, is even now is celebrating a grand sacrifice. And if it is not very inconvenience to you, we would like you to come with us. Besides, there is for you a sight to see. It is a gem of a bow. It has wonderful and inconceivable strength. It is blazing in its energy. It was given by the Gods to a former ruler. He had performed a grand sacrifice. No one can string it. From Gods to Gandharvas, to Asuras, to the Rakshasas, nobody could string it. There were countless princes of the mighty arm. They desired to measure the power of the great bow. So, there are two things to attract you to the place. One is the holy sacrifice. And the other is the great bow. It was got by a former king who had conducted a great sacrifice. As a reward, this bow was given to him. It constitutes the chief adoration in Janaka’s palace. And he offers reverent worship to it every day.
Visvamitra prepared to go to Janaka’s palace with other holy ascetics. He took an affectionate leave of the wood-Gods. I have for long lived here. Hereafter, I go to the Himalayan heights across the Ganga. He went round the hospitable place reverently. And then he set his face towards the north.
And a hundred conveyances of Brahmavadins followed him. The birds and beasts of the woods went after him. But he made them to return back to the woods.
They travelled a long distance. When the sun hung low in the heavens, they camped at the banks of Sona. They took their evening bath in the sacred river. They made offerings to the Fir-God. And then they sat down before Visvamitra. The princes approached the elders with reverence. And then they took their seats in front of their Guru. Rama started the conversation with a question to the sage. “I am greatly curious about this place, sir. They are thickly wooded and well-watered. To whom does the wood belong?” Visvamitra loved to speak about things good and holy. He spoke as follows. The sages too were paying heed to the wonderful tale with eager ears.
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