RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN –CHAPTER 61
AMBARISHA
Visvamitra saw all the Gods and sages depart. He then addressed the people of the forest. “The southern quarter where is not favourable for our purpose. Let us proceed to the West and continue our Tapas there. For a mighty check has been placed upon us here. The forest of Pushkara will be a good place for our purpose. As a holy place, it has no equal.” So he went to the groves of Pushkara and resumed his severe austerities. He supported himself solely upon fruits and roots.
It was about this time that Ambarisha was about to perform a sacrifice. Ambarisha was the ruler of Ayodhya. But Indra made away with the sacrificial horse. The high priest blamed Ambarisha. “All through your carelessness, the consecrated animal is lost. Such acts will bring doom to the king. But the mistake can be rectified. You must bring back the animal or a man to take its place. Do not delay. Do what we say before the sacrifice is over.”
Ambarisha sought far and wide. He offered thousands of kine to those who would offer such a man. He went to towns and cities, hamlets and groves, forests and peaceful hermitages and distant lands. He omitted no place. He came at last to Bhrigutunda. There lived Richika with his wife and sons. The royal sage approached him. He paid him glory and respect. He made his request to the pleased Magarishi. The Magarishi was radiant in the might of his Tapas. “Salutations to you, sir. Is it well for you and your peaceful religious duties? I have come here to beg you one of your sons for a sacrificial offering. If you agree to do the same, I would pay you thousands of kine. I have searched far and near and could not find one who would offer a man for sacrificial offerings. Take whatever you want and give me one of your sons. The sage replied to him that he would never part with his first-born son.
Then the mother of the boys spoke to the king. Bhrigu is the lord of my line. He has passed his word that the eldest son of his loins shall never be sold. My youngest son, Sunaka, is dearer to me. I shall never consent to give away. Father’s hopes are centred on his eldest. The youngest son is dearer to the heart of the mother.
Sunassepha was the mid-most of the three. He listened to the words of his parents. Then he spoke with a firm heart to the king. “The first son is dearer to my father. And the last son is dearer to my mother. Then it goes without saying that the middle son is welcome to be taken. O, king, lead me where you will.”
Sunassepha was of matchless wisdom. Ambarisa’s heart danced with joy. He gave to the Maharishi costly silver and gold, gems and precious stones of countless value and hundreds of thousands of cattle. He took leave of the saintly pair. And placing the hard-won Sunessepha on his royal car the king went back to Ayodhya.
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