RamarpaNam-108

File 108

Dated: August 29th, 2012.

Jai Sri Ram.

Shivas’ bow yields to Rama’s will.

Anjaneya born of Anjana, a Hero and the dispeller of Janaki’s sorrow as well as head of all monkey army, He the annihilator of Akshayakumara and the fear of Lank, to Him we bow and propitiate.

He being the God of the nine ‘Raasi-s’, all the prayers offered to Him, please the ‘Navagraghas’ as well. Invoking His blessings, we move on to the story of Sita KalyaNa.

While narrating the tale of Shiva’s bow, King Janaka also mentioned the reason for it being there. The birth of Sita and the Kanya sulkha He had kept for Her marriage are explained next.

atha me kRiSataH kSetram laa.ngalaat utthitaa mama ||

kSetram shodhayataa labdhvaa naamnaa siitaa iti vishrutaa.

She is named Sita, as She was found on the ploughing mark at the Yajna saala.

She having reached marriageable age offered that if Rama can string the Bow, His daughter Sita will be married to Him.

vishvaamitraH sa raamaH tu shrutvaa janaka bhaaSitam |

vatsa raama dhanuH pashya iti raaghavam abraviit ||

Vishvamitra permitted Rama to have a look at the Bow. Rama desiring to feel the Bow took it with ease and tied the string. As He stretched the string to test its toughness and it broke in the middle with a thunderous sound.

tasya shabdo mahaan aasiit nirhghaata sama niHsvanaH |

Dasaratha was pleased that His pledge had come true and that Sita will be a worthy bride to brave Rama.  He then sent His ministers to Ayodhya carrying the marriage proposal

siitaa praaNaiH bahumataa deyaa raamaaya me sutaa ||

and invite to solemnise the occasion.

With the marriage offer from Janaka, Rama did not jump to okay it. As an obedient disciple and as respectful son waited for the consent of Vishvamitra and for the concurrence of His parents. That is to say, He preferred the meeting of the mind of the elders to conclude the marriage proposal over meeting of the eyes between Him and Sita Maata.