Rama

"Rama alone recognized the influence of Sita, and rejoiced at this proof of her love. When the two brothers heard of their father's [Dasaratha] arrival they could not contain themselves for joy, but were too modest to speak to their guru, though they longed greatly their sire again."

"..and, all these weapons immediately presented themselves before Shri Rama and folding their hands, addressed him, "O ever generous Raghunandan! May you be blessed. Consider all of us your slaves. We are fully prepared to give."

"When they perceived that Rama was won by their devotion, they lovingly explain the different places, each according to his own fancy calling away the two brothers, who in their kindness are ever ready to come. Rama shows Lakshmana, still talking in light and merry tone..."

"Every good and auspicious omen was ready at hand for him whose glorious son was the incarnate god, for a bridegroom like Rama and Sita his bride, and the pious Dasarath and Janak, the two parents. When they heard of the marriage, all the good omens began to dance and say: "Now at last the Creator has made us to be what our name denotes"."

"O, Muni!, after an agonizingly long wait, these sons were born to me in my old age. In addition, Rama being the eldest of my sons, is especially dear to me. Further these Rakshasas are very able too – in addition to being physical giants. My concern is how an ordinary human like Rama be able to face them."

"O Illustrious Prince! May you be blessed. Now I take the pleasure of presenting you with those promised weapons with which you would be able to defeat any any enemy of yours. These weapons have magical powers and can change their appearance. These are the rewards for the destruction of Tadaka. You have pleased me immensely"

"Shameless, pitiless, and ever bent on mischief, the ten-headed miscreant [Ravana] thought to conquer Rama. Hearken, Bharadwja; if god is worth with a man his diamonds turn in bits of glass that are not worth a cowry."

"The maidens peeping from the windows of the houses at once fell in love with Rama's beauty, and in amorous strain addressed one another: They surpass in beauty a thousand Loves: neither among gods, nor men, nor demons, nor serpents, ..."

"Earth, hell, and heaven were pervaded with the glad news: Rama has broken the bow and will wed Sita. The men and women of the city light votive torches, and, regardless of their substance, scatter gifts in profusion. Sita by Rama's side was as resplendent as if beauty and love had met together. Her companions whisper: Embrace your lord's feet; but in excess of fear she dares not touch them."

"Here were rhapsodists chanting songs of praise; here were Brahmans muttering Vedic spells; while lovely women carolled joyous songs, ever dwelling on the names of Rama and Sita. The joy was so great that the palace was too small for it, and it overflowed on all four sides."

"Then came the joyous Rama, the glory of the Solar race, with his brothers to Janak's palace to take leave. All the people of the city, whether men or women, ran to see the four brothers so lovely and so unaffected."

"A major portion of my yagna has been completed. However, feeling threatened, demons like Maarich and Subahu are hell-bent on disrupting it in its final stages...Hence, O King [Dasharatha], I request your help for the protection of this Yagna [Siddhiyagya]...Hence, O King! I request you to press your able, brave, eldest son [Rama] into my service for a few days...In return for his help, I will bless him with the knowledge of Pashupatastra and several other weapons."

"Lakshman was like Rama's shadow; hence it was sure that he would follow Rama whenever he went. Standing in the royal assembly, Rama could read worry written on his father's face. But he also knew that his father had won over himself. He had succeeded in showing preference for his dharma over affection for his son. Rama rejoiced over this fact."

"O Rama! I command you to clear this region of Tadaka's interference. I desire that this region regains its past glory and becomes truly free from all troubles. That fearsome witch has wrought great damage to this area with her reckless exploits."

"This then was the cause of one birth and the reason why Rama then assumed a human form. Each avatar has its legend, which the poets have sung in various ways and according to tradition. On one occasion it was Narad's curse that caused him to be incarnate."

"... Energy, queen of beauty, mother of the world; of whose members are born countless Umas and Ramas and Brahmanas, all alike perfect; by the play of whose eyebrows a world flashes into existence, even Sita, enthroned at Rama's side."

"One day his mother, after washing and dressing him put him to sleep in his cradle. When the service was over and she had made her oblation, she returned to the place where she had dressed the food; but when she came there she beheld Rama in the act of eating. In a great fright she ran to the nursery and there found the child again sleeping; but coming back once more she still saw the baby. Then she trembled and was much disturbed in mind for she saw two children, one here and one there, and was utterly bewildered, saying, Are my own senses at fault or is something else the matter? When Rama saw his mother’s distress he broke into a merry laugh."

"Rama smiled to himself on hearing this. "They are the sons of Dasarath, the glory of the line of Raghu, and the king has sent them to help me. Rama and Lakshman by name, these two brothers, as strong as they are good and beautiful, with their companions, protected my sacrifice and vanquished all the demons in battle."

"Wherever the two gallant princes turned, all men's eyes were dazzled ; each saw in Rama what he himself most admired, nor did any one comprehend in the least the special mystery. The saint [Vishvamitra] told the king [Janaka] the arrangements were perfect, and the king was thereby gratified."

"Ye elephant warders, ye tortoise, serpent, and boar, hold fast the earth with a will that it shake not, for Rama is about to break the great bow; hearken to my order and be ready." When Rama drew near to the bow, the people all supplicated the gods by their past good deeds."

"Said the son of Gradhi [Vishvamitra], smiling to himself : "Everything looks green to the saint's eyes; though Rama has to-day broken the bow as though it were a stick of sugarcane, still he has not the sense to understand."

"Who, 0 king [Dasharatha], can be more blest than you, who have a son like Rama? nay, four heroic sons, all equally obedient, religious, and amiable. Happy indeed are you for all time. Prepare the marriage procession to sound of music."

"When he saw the gods the all-wise Rama assigned them what seats they fancied; and the heavenly powers were delighted to behold the gracious manner of their lord. As the partridge drinks in the light of the moon, so their eyes reverently drank in the beauty of Rama’s face with the utmost rapture."

"The lovely images of Rama and Sita were reflected in the jewelled pillars, and sparkled like incarnations of Kamdev and Rati, who had come to witness Rama's glorious weddings, and, from mingled curiosity and bashfulness, at one moment showed themselves openly and at another retired out of sight."

"Courteously the king dismissed the burglars and reverently bade all the mendicants and approach and bestowed upon them ornaments and clothes and horses and elephants, and affectionately cherishing them made them stand up before him. After again and again reciting his praises they turned home with Rama in their heart."

"Of all the boys, Rama was the brightest and the most valiant. He possessed the gift of soothing everyone's heart like the spotless moon. Rama was highly skilled in the art of archery and was constantly engaged in perfecting this art through practice. Rama was also a filial son."

"Do not doubt Rama's ability to fight the demons. I will train Rama personally in the art of breaking through the spells and magic of the Rakshasas. I will transform him into an exceptionally able warrior."

"When I myself am feeling incompetent to fight these evil souls how can the young boy Rama stand up to him? Moreover he is not that familiar with skills of warfare. He is too young right now. Hence, I am fearful for his safety and security."

"Just as Ashwini Kumars walk behind Brahma, in the same way, the two brothers Rama and Laxman gracefully followed the Muni [Vishvamitra]."

"Dearest Rama! Kindly wash yourself now with the water from the River Saryu. After that, receive this holy mantra in the name of Bala and Atibala. The effect of this mantra upon you would be extraordinary – you would never experience tiredness or illness and there would be no distortion in your appearance. Even when you are asleep or in a state of inattentiveness, the Rakshasas won’t be able to harm you. No one on this earth would be able to stand up to your strength."

"Vision of the true faith. They utter doctrines repugnant to the Veda, with no understanding of loss or gain; their glass is dim, their eyes are naught; how then can such hapless weights see the beauty of Rama?"

"First I will relate the manner of their exalted converse, after which you shall hear of Rama's incarnation and his all-glorious and sinless deeds. Hari's virtues and names are infinite, and his history and his manifestations beyond number or measure."

"Intoxicating liquor was the demon's share, and the poison was for Mahadev; but for yourself Rama and the Kauntulha jewel. You have ever been selfish and and perverse and treacherous in your dealings."

"The lord gladly accepted the curse, thus working the will of the gods, and in his compassion withdrew the influence of his deceptive power. When this was removed, there appeared neither Rama nor the princess; and the saint fell in great fear at the feet of Hari, ever ready to heal the sorrows of a supplicant crying: May my curse be of no effect"

"Auspicious was the conjunction of the planets in an auspicious house; auspicious the moment; auspicious the day of the week and of the month; and full of delight was all creation, animate and inanimate, when Rama, father of delights, was born."

"There was not one who observed the strange event, and at last the sun set, still chanting Rama's praises. The gods, saints, and Nagas too, who had witnessed the spectacle, returned home congratulating themselves on their good fortune."

"On seeing Rama the saint [Vishvamitra] forgot his detachment from the world and was as enraptured with his lovely face as is the chakor with the full moon. Then said the glad king: "Reverend sir, this favour is unparalleled: what is the cause of your coming ..."

"Worship him, says poor Tulsi Das, and cease from all wrangling and hypocrisy. Rama and Lakshman accompanied the saint [Vishvamitra] to the world- purifying Ganges. Both the lord and his younger brother reverently saluted it, and Rama was delighted beyond measure, as the son of Gadhi (Vishvamitra) told him the legend how the heavenly stream had come down to the earth."

"Sita...wearied with gazing upon Rama's charms, her eyelids forgot to wink, and her whole frame was fulfilled with desire, as is the partridge when it sees the autumnal moon. Receiving Rama into her heart by the pathway of vision, she craftily closed upon him the doors of her eyelids. When her companions saw her thus overcome they were too much abashed to utter a word."

"... Sita was more glad of heart than words can tell ; and as an auspicious omen, her left side, the seat of good fortune, began to throb. The two brothers returned to their Guru, inwardly praising Sita's loveliness ; and Rama related all that had taken place, being simplicity itself and utterly devoid of all guile."

"[Royal Announcement] Here is now the great god's massy beam, and whoever in this royal assembly shall to-day bend it shall be renowned in heaven and earth and hell, and at once without hesitation shall receive in marriage the hand of the king's daughter [Sita]. With flushed face and many a close look, they essay the divine bow; but though they put forth all their strength in a thousand different ways, they cannot move it. Those, indeed, who had any sense at all did not go near it. When w:JanakaJanak]] saw the kings thus dismayed he cried aloud as it were in anger: "Hearing the vow that I had made, may kings have come from diverse realms, with gods and demons in human form, stalwart heroes staunch in fight. A lovely bride, a grand triumph and splendid renown, but God it seems has not created the man who can break the bow and win it."

"Yet at last, bowing his head at Rama's lotus feet, he thus spoke in dignified tones: " May there never be repeated in any assembly, where even the lowest of the family of Raghu is present, such a scandalous speech as that now uttered by Janak in the presence of the greatest of the clan."

"Next came Viswamitra to salute him, and placed the two boys at his feet, saying : "These are Rama and Lakshman, Dasarath's sons." He admired the well-matched pair and blessed them, with his eyes long fixed upon Rama's incomparable beauty, which would humble the pride even of Love himself."

"Hearken, Rama; whoever it was who broke Shiva's bow is as much my [Parashurama] enemy as was Sahasrabahu. Separate him from among the assembly, or else every one of these kings shall be killed." When Lakshman heard the saint's words, he smiled and told him in atone of contempt: I have broken many a bow as child, and your never before this angry; why were you so fond of this bow in particular?"

"As Bhrigupati [Parashurama]] heard his fearless words, his whole body was on fire with rage, and he became quite powerless and in a tone of entreaty cried to Rama: " See if you can manage this little brother of yours; so fair without and foul within, he resembles a golden jar full of poison."

"The king made obeisance before Viswamitra, saying : It is by my lord's favour that Rama has broken the bow. These two brothers have given me the victory: tell me now, reverend sir, what it becomes me to do. Said the saint : "Hearken, wise king; the marriage was dependent on the bow, and took effect directly the bow broke; this is well known to every one, whether god, man, or Naga."

"Seeing the auspiciousness of the time, the deities rained down flowers and beat their drums. Shiva and Brahma and all the host of heaven mounted their chariots and came in crowds to see Rama's wedding, their heart and every limb throbbing and quivering with excess of love. They were so charmed with Janak's capital that their own realms seemed to them as nothing worth."

"After the lustral rite and the oblation Rama proceeded to the pavilion. So great was the splendour and magnificence of Dasarath and his retinue that Indra was put to shame by it. From time to time the gods rained down flowers, while the Brahmans repeated the appropriate propitiatory texts."

"With their own hands the glad king and queen take and place before Rama golden vases and costly jewelled trays full of holy water and delicious perfumes. The saints with auspicious voice recite the Veda, and at the proper time the heaven rains flowers, while the father and mother of the bride look on in rapture and begin to wash the holy feet."

"Taking this opportunity, Rama promptly used his Agneya Astra and aiming it at Subahu's chest, ended his life. On completing his yagya when Maharshi Vishwamitra saw that Rama had killed all the demons, who used to disturb his yagya, he was thrilled."