RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN--CHAPTER 66

                                     RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN –CHAPTER 66

The next morning Janaka performed his daily worship. After the worship, Janaka requested the presence of Visvamitra and the two princes. He offered a due welcome to them. He said to Visvamitra, “Your Reverence! What shall I do for you? I am your humble servant. You can dispose of me as you will.”

And Visvamitra made a meek reply to the king, Janaka. “These royal youths are the sons of Dasarath. Dasaratha is the king of Ayodhya. These princes have wide-spread fame. They desire to have a sight of the bow that is in your keeping. Place it before them. Let them see it and depart from here in peace.”

“Please listen to me, sir, while I narrate how the bow came to stay with me. My ancestor, Devarata was the sixth in descent from Nimi. Nimi is the founder of our line. Devarata was given the bow to keep in safe custody.

“Long years ago, Daksha celebrated a grand sacrifice. Mahadeva was not reserved a portion of the offerings. He was absent at the time. Thereupon Mahadeva with a bow and cried, “I shall not lay down this terrible bow till every proud head before me rolls in the dust.” The frightened gods clasped his feet with reverence. They humbly prayed till the Lord cooled down. And a mollified Mahadeva handed over to them this bow. And they gave the bow to my ancestor for safe keeping.

“Once upon a time, I was ploughing a piece of ground to celebrate a sacrifice thereon. There rose from the furrow a girl rose. And I took her to my heart. She was given the name Sita. The Daughter of the Earth is the meaning of Sita. She grew like my life and other self.

“The best of the Earth sought her hand in marriage. My child did not come from the human womb. I sent all of them away. None but the brave deserve the fair. Then the suitors came to Mithila to try their chance at bending the bow. But none of them succeeded. They failed to raise from where it lay! They became angry. And they besieged Mithila for twelve months. They knew that my forces were few and my coffers low. The shame of defeat made them ruin my lovely capital. At the end of the year, my resources were exhausted. And blank despair stared me in the face. I roused myself and got the Gods grant me powerful armies. With that army, I put to rout that evil crew. They and their ministers and their forces were scattered to the winds.

“I am glad to show these youths that famous bow. If Rama should be able to string it, I will bestow on him Sita. Sita is the daughter of my heart. She does not come from mortal parents.”