Chapter 1(69)
When it was morning, Janaka had the rituals performed by the maharshis. The one who was eloquent with the use of words then spoke these words to the priest, Shatananda. ‘My greatly energetic younger brother is extremely devoted to dharma. He is famous by the name of Kushadhvaja and lives in an auspicious city that has moats all around it. This sacred city of Samkashya seems to drink the waters of the river Ikshumati.447 This city is like Pushpaka vimana.448 I wish to see him and it is my view that he should arrange for this sacrifice. With me, that extremely energetic one will be delighted to participate in this.’ On the instructions of the king, who was a tiger among men, like Vishnu following Indra’s command, messengers on swift steeds were dispatched. On the king’s command, Kushadhvaja arrived. He saw the great-souled Janaka, who was devoted to dharma. He greeted Shatananda and the king who was devoted to dharma. He ascended a supremely divine seat that befitted kings. Those two infinitely energetic brothers seated themselves. The brave ones then sent for Sudamana, best among ministers. ‘O lord of ministers! Quickly go to the infinitely resplendent descendant of Ikshvaku. Invite the invincible one here, with his sons and his ministers.’ He went to the place meant for guests and saw the extender of the lineage of Raghu. Bowing his head down and greeting him, he said, ‘O brave one! O lord of Ayodhya! The lord of Mithila and Videha is waiting to see you, with his preceptors and priests.’ Hearing the words of the best among ministers, the king, with the large number of rishis and his relatives, went to the place where Janaka was. With his ministers, his preceptors and his relatives, the king, best among those who are eloquent with words, spoke these words to the lord of Videha. ‘O great king! It is known to you that the illustrious rishi, Vasishtha, is like a god to the lineage of the Ikshvakus and can speak on our behalf about our conduct. With the permission of Vishvamitra, and that of all the maharshis, Vasishtha, with dharma in his soul, will speak about my ancestry.’
When Dasharatha was silent, the illustrious rishi, Vasishtha, eloquent in the use of words, spoke these words to the lord of Videha and his priest. ‘Brahma’s powers are not manifest. He is eternal, everlasting and without decay. He had a son named Marichi449 and Marichi’s son was Kashyapa. Vivasvan450 was Kashyapa’s son and Manu is said to be Vivasvan’s son. Manu was the first Prajapati and Ikshvaku was Manu’s son. Know that Ikshvaku was the first king of Ayodhya. Ikshavku had a prosperous son, Vikukshi. The greatly energetic Vikukshi’s son was the powerful Bana. The greatly energetic Bana’s son was the powerful Anaranya. Anaranya had a son named Prithu and Prithu’s son was Trishanku. Trishanku had an immensely illustrious son named Dhundumara. Dhundumara’s son was the immensely energetic maharatha, Yuvanashva. Yuvanashva’s son was the handsome King Mandhata. Mandhata’s son was the handsome Susandhi. Susandhi had two sons—Dhruvasandhi and Prasenjit. Dhruvasandhi had an illustrious son named Bharata. The immensely energetic Bharata had a son named Asita. Since he was born with poison, he came to be known as Sagara.451 Sagara had a son named Asamanja and Asamanja’s son was Amshumat. Dileepa was Amshumat’s son and Dileepa’s son was Bhageeratha. Bhageeratha’s son was Kakutstha and Kakutstha’s son was Raghu. Raghu had an energetic son named Pravriddha, but he grew up to be an eater of human flesh. He thus became Kalmashapada and his son was Shankana.452 Sudarshana was Shankana’s son and Sudarshana’s son was Agnivarna. Agnivarna’s son was Sheeghraga and Sheeghraga’s son was Maru. Maru’s son was Prashushruka and Ambareesha was born through Prashushruka. Ambareesha’s son was Nahusha, lord of the earth. Yayati was Nahusha’s son and Yayati’s son was Nabhaga. Nabhaga’s son was Aja and Aja’s son is Dasharatha. The brothers, Rama and Lakshmana, are Dasharatha’s sons. Right from the beginning, this lineage of kings is pure and is extremely devoted to dharma. There are brave ones who have been born in the lineage of Ikshvaku and they are truthful in speech. O king! Your daughters should be bestowed on Rama and Lakshmana. O best among men! They are equal453 and bestowal must always be on equals.’
Chapter 1(70)
Thus addressed, Janaka joined his hands in salutation and replied, ‘O fortunate one! You should now hear the supreme account of our lineage. O best among sages! At the time of bestowal, a person born in a noble lineage should recount everything about his lineage. O great sage! Listen. There was a king named Nimi who was famous in the three worlds because of his own deeds. With dharma in his soul, he was supreme. He was greatest among spirited ones. His son was named Mithi and Mithi’s son was Janaka.454 This was the first one by the name Janaka and Udavasu was Janaka’s son. Nandivardhana was born from Janaka and he had dharma in his soul. Nandivardhana’s son was known by the name of Suketu. Suketu’s son was the extremely strong Devarata, who had dharma in his soul. It has been heard that rajarshi Brihadratha was born from Devarata. Brihadratha’s son was the extremely brave, intelligent and powerful Mahaveera. Sudhriti, with truth as his valour, was Mahaveera’s son. Sudhriti’s son was Dhrishtaketu, who was extremely devoted to dharma and had dharma in his soul. Dhrishtaketu’s son was the famous rajarshi Haryashava. Haryashava’s son was Maru and Maru’s son was Prativandhaka. Prativandhaka’s son was King Kirtiratha, who had dharma in his soul. Kirtiratha’s son is known as Devamidha. Devamidha’s son was Vibudha and Vibudha’s son was Maheedhraka. Maheedhraka’s son was the extremely strong King Keertirata. Rajarshi Keertirata gave birth to Maharoma. Maharoma’s son was Svarnaroma, who had dharma in his soul. Rajarshi Svarnaroma’s son was Hrasvaroma, who was great-souled and knew about dharma. He had two sons. I am the elder and my younger brother is the brave Kushadhvaja. Since I am elder, the king, my father, instated me in the kingdom. Having entrusted the task of looking after Kushadhvaja on me, he went to the forest. When my aged father went to heaven, I have followed dharma in bearing this burden and have affectionately reared my brother Kushadhvaja, who is like a god. After some time, the brave King Sudhanva came from the city of Samkashya and laid siege to Mithila. He asked me to give him Shiva’s supreme bow. He also said, “Bestow on me your lotus-eyed daughter, Sita.” O brahmana rishi! When I did not give him these, he fought with me. In the battle, I killed Sudhanva, who had acted against me. O best among sages! When King Sudhanva was slain, I instated my brave brother, Kushadhvaja, in Samkashya. O great sage! I am the elder and he is younger to me. O bull among sages! Extremely delighted, I will give you these two fortunate daughters-in-law, Sita for Rama and Urmila for Lakshmana. My daughter Sita is like a daughter of the gods and is offered as viryashulka and Urmila is the second. O descendant of the Raghu lineage!455 There is no doubt that extremely cheerfully, I will bestow these two daughters-in-law. I state this in three ways.456 O king! Let the godana ritual be performed for Rama and Lakshmana.457 O fortunate one! Let rites for the ancestors be performed next. After that, let the marriage ceremony be undertaken. O lord! The nakshatra Magha is in the ascendant now and three days from now, it will be Uttaraphalguni.458 O king! Arrange for the ceremony then. So that Rama and Lakshmana enjoy happiness, let donations be made.’
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When the lord of Videha spoke in this way, the great sage, Vishvamitra, together with Vasishtha, spoke these words to the brave king. ‘O bull among men! These two lineages are unthinkable and immeasurable. There is no other lineage that is a match for the Ikshvakus and the Videhas. O king! These marriages are among those who are equal in dharma, equal in beauty and equal in prosperity—Rama and Lakshmana, and Sita and Urmila. O best among men! I have something to say. Listen to me. Your younger brother, King Kushadhvaja, knows about dharma. O king! He has two daughters who are devoted to dharma and their beauty is unmatched on earth. Bestow them as wives on Prince Bharata and the intelligent Shatrughna. O king! For the sake of those two great-souled ones, we will accept these daughters. In their beauty and youth, all of Dasharatha’s sons are like the guardians of the worlds and are like the gods in valour. O Indra among kings! Let these two excellent lineages, auspicious in deeds, yours and that of the Ikshvakus, be closely tied to each other through an allian
ce.’ Having heard Vishvamitra’s words, which were in agreement with Vasishtha’s views, Janaka joined his hands in salutation and addressed those bulls among sages. ‘As you have commanded, I also think this alliance is between two lineages that are equal. O fortunate ones! Let it be that way. Let Kushadhvaja’s daughters tend to Shatrughna and Bharata as their wives. O great sage! Let the four princesses accept the hands of the four extremely strong princes on the same day. O brahmana! The learned ones have praised a marriage on the day of Uttaraphalguni, when Bhaga is the presiding lord.’459 Having spoken in this way, the amiable one arose and joined his hands in salutation. King Janaka spoke these words to those two supreme sages. ‘You have performed a supreme act of dharma for me. I will always be your disciple. O bulls among sages! Seat yourselves on these excellent seats. In the way they are ruled, there is no difference between my kingdom and Dasharatha’s city of Ayodhya. You should therefore act so that everything is properly undertaken.’
When the lord of Videha said this, King Dasharatha, descendant of the Raghu lineage, cheerfully replied to King Janaka in these words. ‘O lords of Mithila! You two brothers are immeasurable in your qualities. You have honoured the rishis in this assembly of kings. O fortunate one! May everything be well with you. I will now go to my own abode and undertake the funeral rites for the ancestors.’ Having said this, King Dasharatha took his leave of the two kings, placing those two Indras among sages at the forefront. The immensely illustrious one swiftly departed. Having gone to his abode, the king followed the ordinances and performed the funeral rites. When it was morning, he arose and performed the excellent rite of godana. The king donated one hundred thousand cows to brahmanas. Following dharma, the king donated these in the names of each of his sons. The horns of these cows were encrusted with gold. They were donated with their calves and with brass vessels for milking them. The bull among men gave away four hundred thousand cows.460 The descendant of the Raghu lineage gave away many other kinds of riches to brahmanas. Devoted to his sons, he undertook godana in the names of his sons. Having undertaken godana in the names of his sons, the king was as radiant as the agreeable Prajapati,461 surrounded by the guardians of the worlds.
Chapter 1(72)
On the day when the king performed the excellent godana rite, on that very same day, the brave Yudhajit arrived. He was the son of the king of Kekaya and Bharata’s own maternal uncle. Having met the king, he asked about his welfare in these words. ‘Affectionately, the king of Kekaya has inquired about your welfare. You will also be interested in the welfare of those who are there and as of now, they are well. O Indra among kings! O descendant of the Raghu lineage! The king wished to see my sister’s son462 and that is the reason I was sent to Ayodhya. I heard in Ayodhya that you had left for the marriage, with your sons.463 O king! That is the reason I have come here to Mithila, to meet you. To see my sister’s son, I have quickly come here.’ King Dasharatha saw that his beloved guest had arrived. On seeing this, he honoured the one who deserved honours with great worship.
When the night was over, with his great-souled sons, and placing the rishis at the forefront, he arrived at the sacrificial arena. At the appropriate hour, when all the auspicious signs for victory were present, adorned in ornaments, Rama and his brothers performed the sacred rites. They placed Vasishtha and the other maharshis ahead of them. The illustrious Vasishtha addressed the lord of Videha. ‘O king! King Dasharatha has performed all the auspicious rites. With his sons, the supreme one among the best among men now desires a donor. All forms of prosperity result when the receiver accepts from the donor. Following your own dharma, now perform the excellent wedding rites.’ He was addressed in these words by the great-souled Vasishtha. The extremely generous and immensely energetic one, supremely devoted to dharma, replied in these words. ‘Who is preventing entry?464 Whose instructions are you waiting for? This is your own house. What are you thinking about? This kingdom is like your own. O best among sages! Having performed the auspicious rites, my daughters have arrived at the sacrificial altar. They are like the flames of a blazing fire. I have prepared everything and am waiting for you at the sacrificial altar. There are no obstructions. What is the king waiting for?’ Hearing Janaka’s words, with his sons and with the large number of rishis, Dasharatha entered. King Janaka spoke to the one who extended Kousalya’s delight. ‘This is my daughter Sita and she will perform every act of dharma with you. O fortunate one! If you also desire her, accept her hand with your hand. O Lakshmana! O fortunate one! Come here. I have earmarked Urmila for you. If you also desire her, accept her hand. You should not waste any time in thinking.’ Having spoken to him, Janaka addressed Bharata. ‘O descendant of the Raghu lineage! Accept Mandavi’s hand with your hand.’ Lord Janaka, with dharma in his soul, also spoke to Shatrughna. ‘O mighty-armed one! Accept Shrutakeerti’s hand with your hand. All of you are agreeable. O Kakutsthas! With your wives, all of you will be excellent in the observance of vows. You should not waste time in thinking.’ Hearing Janaka’s words and with Vasishtha’s sanction, the four accepted the hands of those four with their hands. With their wives, those excellent ones, born in Raghu’s lineage, progressively circumambulated the fire, the sacrificial altar, the king465 and the rishis. They acted as they had been asked to. Following the ordinances, the marriages were concluded. A great shower of radiant flowers rained down from the sky. Divine drums were sounded and there were the sounds of singing and musical instruments. Large numbers of apsaras danced and gandharvas sang in melodious tones. At the marriages of the best among the Raghus, this was the wonderful spectacle. While this was going on, trumpets were sounded. With their wives, those greatly energetic ones circumambulated the fire thrice. After this, with their wives, the descendants of the Raghu lineage went to the residences meant for guests. While the large number of rishis looked on, the king466 followed them, with his relatives.
Chapter 1(73)
When night was over, taking his leave of the kings, Vishvamitra, the great sage, left for the northern mountains. After Vishvamitra had left, the king467 took his leave of the lord of Videha and Mithila. King Dasharatha swiftly left for his own city. The king of Videha gave his daughters many kinds of riches. The lord of Mithila gave them hundreds of thousands of cows, the best of blankets, crores of silken garments, elephants, horses, chariots and foot soldiers. The father also gave his daughters excellent male and female servants, adorned in ornaments that seemed divine. There were gold, silver, pearls and coral. Extremely happy, he gave his daughters these supreme riches. Having given these many kinds of riches, the king took the king’s permission.468 The lord of Mithila entered his own residence in Mithila.
With his great-souled sons, the king and lord of Ayodhya proceeded. All the rishis were at the forefront and he was followed by his forces. The tiger among men proceeded, with the large number of rishis and the Raghavas. At this time, in every direction, a terrible sound of birds was heard. On earth too, all the animals circled leftwards.469 On seeing this, the tiger among kings asked Vasishtha, ‘The birds are distracted and behaving in a terrible way. The animals are also circling leftwards. Why is this? My heart is trembling and my mind is distressed.’ Hearing Dasharatha’s words, the great rishi replied sweetly. ‘Hear what these portend. A terrible and divine fear presents itself and this is being voiced from the mouths of the birds. The animals will be pacified and this torment will pass.’ While they were conversing, a wind began to rage. It made the earth tremble and brought down the auspicious trees. The sun was enveloped in darkness and none of the directions could be discerned. Everything was covered in ashes and the army was confounded. Vasishtha and the other sages and the king and his sons remained stationed there. Though all of them were in their senses, they seemed to be unconscious. The army was shrouded in that terrible darkness and the ashes. At that time, a form was seen. He was terrible in appearance, with circles of matted hair. He was as unassailable as Kailasa and he was extremely difficult to withstand, like the fire of destruction. He s
eemed to blaze in his energy and ordinary people found it impossible to look at him. A battleaxe was slung on his shoulder and he wielded a bow that was like a flash of lightning. He held the best of arrows, like Hara at the time of the destruction of Tripura.470 They saw him, terrible in form, like a blazing fire. Vasishtha and the best among brahmanas were devoted to meditations and oblations. All those assembled sages began to discuss among themselves. ‘He became intolerant because of his father’s death and destroyed the kshatriyas.471 Having killed the kshatriyas earlier, his intolerance and fever were dispelled. Is he again interested in destroying the kshatriyas?’ Having said this, they offered arghya to Bhargava, who was terrible to behold. The rishis addressed him in these sweet words. ‘O Rama!472 O Rama!’ Having accepted the honours from the powerful rishi,473 the Rama who was Jamadagni’s son spoke to the Rama who was Dasharatha’s son.
The Valmiki Ramayana Page 16