|| Om Namo Bhagavathey Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 125-  The legend of Lord Rama -3

Emperor Dhasharatha in the clan of the Surya Dynasty had no offspring.  A grand Puthrakameshti Yaga was performed on the riverbank of Sarayu, by Rishyashrunga who was the son of Maharishi Vibhandaga.  At the successful completion of Yaga, the divine porridge from the Yaga was reverentially received by the Emperor Dhasharatha.  It was divided into two parts and offered to Devi Kausalya and Kaikeyi, and Devi Sumithra got equal halves from Devi Kausalya and Kaikeyi.   In due course of time, the Queens became pregnant with their child, Devi Kausalya gave birth to Rama, Devi Kaikeyi gave birth to Bharatha and Devi Sumithra gave birth to Lakshman and Shathrugna. 

Years have passed; Maharishi Vishwamithra arrived in the assembly of King Dhasharatha with a request to take Rama with him to woods to protect fire sacrifices.  King Dhasharatha tried to put off the plans of Maharishi Vishwamithra was intervened by Sage Vashishta, thus Rama and Lakshmana went to woods with Maharishi Vishwamithra, while in the woods they were taught with highly confidential hymns of ‘Bala’ and ‘Athibala’ to win over hunger and thirst.  They have also taught Asthra Shasthra Vidhya/knowledge of usage of armaments from Sage Vishwamithra.  On their way, Maharishi explains the isolated wood where the female demon ‘Thadaka’ resides and explores without any restriction, and instructed Rama to kill the demon ‘Thadaka’.  Rama who had a thorough knowledge of scriptures reveals his qualms to kill a woman.  Maharishi teaches him about the righteousness of a King, a woman is deserved to be killed if she is harmful, creates trepidation and turbulence to the society or the kingdom.  The demon Thadaka was illustrated as ‘Kamacharini’/individuals who soak in worldly pleasures, a symbol of possessiveness and attachment that causes grief and sorrows.  Rama killed the demon Thadaka. Later, it helped Rama to sacrifice Devi Sita who was fully pregnant with the child to the hermitage of Maharishi Valmiki for the welfare of the Kingdom.    King Nemi who was well capable to drive the chariot driven by ten horses in ten directions became ‘King Dhasharatha’, his over-attachment to his beautiful and intelligent wife Kaikeyi has become a reason for his sorrow.

 Rama killed Subhahu and numerous demons in the wood and protected the fire sacrifice of Maharishi Vishwamithra.  Devi Ahalya who was cursed by Sage Gautama turned into rock, was freed from the curse at the touch of the feet of Rama.     Sage Vishwamithra took Rama and Lakshman to the Kingdom of Janaka to attend the celestial wedding, where Rama skillfully tied the powerful bow of Lord Shiva and got married to Devi Sita.  Thus the four sons of King Dhasharatha were got married; Bharatha married Mandavi, Lakshman married to Urmila, and Shruthakeerthi was married to Shathrungna.