RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN --CHAPTER 32

                                 RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN –CHAPTER 32

                                                                           KUSANABHA  

Visvamitra started to tell the story of the place. “Once there was a righteous king. His name was Kusa. He was one of the mind-born sons of Brahma. The sons were wisest and most valiant. Unlike Narada and the Kumaras he chose the path of Action. He left his bright home on the high. And he became a Ruler of men. Hence his name Kusa. He was always respectful to the gods. He was ever intent upon the discharge of the duties of his high office. And he acquired immense spiritual merit by his hard austerities.

He married a princes of Vidarbha. She was in all ways a nice wife for such a holy king. And she bore him four sons. All of them were like their father in character and might. Kusmba, Kusanabha, Adhurtarajas , and Vasu were their names. The old king was extremely pleased with his four sons. He spoke to them, “Reign you over the earth and acquire merit thereby.”

The four sons obediently found four excellent capitals. Kausambi, Mahodaya, Dharmranya and Girivraja respectively were their names. These are the dominions of Vasu, the last of the brothers. Over the hills, five in number, that guard the country like giant sentinels? There is the lovely stream, Sona. It runs like a silver garland among the hills. It waters the land of Magadha ruled by Vasu. It is a lovely spot. It is well-watered, fertile and healthy. The site of ancient kingdoms is no more.

Kusanabha the royal sage, had by the Apsara, Ghritachi, a hundred graceful daughters. One day they walked in the royal gardens about the city. They were a charming sight to see. They had a happy time of it among the arbours and bowers. They spent time dancing and singing and leaping and frisking. It so chanced that Vayu, the Lord of Air, beheld them in the gardens. They were like bright stars between murky clouds. And Vayu was stirred to the depths of his fickle heart. “My heart goes out to you. You be mine and crown my days with sweet happiness. Cast off your mortal nature. And enjoy immortal life in my company. I shall endow with the deathless youth and beauty of the immortals themselves.”

They laughed at the Wind-God. You course ever in the bodies of beings. Everyone knows about you. It is an insult us with your proposal. Don’t you know we are daughters of Kusanabha and that it is child’s play for us to hurl Indra from his seat of power? Our father is our master. And they are our master whom he gives us to.”

Vayu was enraged by the bold and defiant words of the girls. His heart was shaken with wrath. He used his might. And he distorted their graceful limbs out of al recognition.

They rushed into their father’s presence in great grief and shame. They fell at his feet with sobs and tears. The sight of his dear daughters stirred his placid nature to its very depths. And he exclaimed “What is this, my dears. Who has made you crooked and distorted.?”

In a fierce rage he hissed forth his questions like a hooded snake. But soon he mastered his wrath. He sent forth his clear spiritual eye before which nothing was hidden.