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| 10th Aug, 2005 -
Sita Swayamvaram |
The illustrious sons of Sri Rama, Lava and Kusha, recite the Ramayana at the court of Sri Rama.
The story unfolds with Sage Vishwamitra in the court of King Dasharatha, asking for Rama and Lakshmana to be sent with him to the forest, to protect his penance. After performing this task successfully, Rama and Lakshmana travel with Vishwamitra to Mithila, where Rama breaks the great bow of Shiva and wins the hand of Sita, daughter of King Janaka.
Lava and Kusha, the illustrious sons of Sri Rama, recite the story of the Ramayana before Sri Rama Himself, describing the compassion evoked in Sage Valmiki, who witnessed the sorrow of a krauncha bird whose mate has been killed. The sage was greatly moved, and the intensity of his emotion found expression in the composition of the Ramayana .
At the court of King Dasharatha, the king seeks the advice of the royal preceptor, Vasishta, regarding the marriage of Sri Rama. Vishwamitra, the powerful sage, arrives and asks the King to send his two sons, Rama and Lakshmana with him, to protect his religious rites from the attack of evil spirits. Dasharatha, with deep sorrow, offers to go himself, in place of his sons Who are too young to undertake the task. Vishwamitra is offended and turns to leave the court in anger. Vasishta persuades Dasharatha to send the two boys with Vishwamitra, as it would be beneficial to them.
Vishwamitra performs his religious rites while Rama and Lakshmana keep guard and drive away the evil spirits. They then proceed to the ashrama of Sage Gautama, where Sri Rama liberates Ahalya, the wife of Gautama, who was trapped under a spell. Ahalya rises with radiant beauty after being touched by the grace of Sri Rama.
Vishwamitra takes the noble princes Rama and Lakshmana to Mithila and introduces Them to King Janaka. Janaka's daughter, the gentle Sita, is to be married in a swayamvara where the greatest kings from different lands will vie with each other in a display of their prowess. None of them are able to even lift the bow of Shiva which would win them the fair hand of the princess. The mighty rakshasa king Ravana also fails in his attempt. He stumbles in fatigue and the bow pins him to the ground. At Vishwamitra's bidding, Rama lifts the bow with ease and releases Ravana. Then, while He strings the bow, it is broken, and He wins the hand of Sita. The marriage of Sri Rama and His eternal consort, Srimati Sita is performed, to the jubilation of all. |
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