Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 4

SR No.: 001004
Original Sutra Author: Hemchandracharya
Author: Helen M Johnson
Publisher: Oriental Research Institute Vadodra
Publication Year: 1954
Total Pages: 449
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Mythology, & Story
File Size: 9 MB

Page 238

BIRTH, MARRIAGE, AND EXILE OF RĀMA AND LAKŞMAŅA 203
Two bows, Vajrāvarta and Arņavāvarta, always attended by a thousand Yakşas at the command of the gods, possessing unbearable brilliance, always worshipped by us in a shrine like family-divinities, were made for the future. Rāma and Sārngin (Vasudeva). Take them. If Dāśarathi strings one of these, then we are defeated by him. Let him marry your daughter."
Having obtained Maithala's consent to this proposal, though by force, he and his son took him and the bows to Mithila. King Candragati released Janaka in the palace and he himself with his retinue camped on ground outside the city. At once Janaka told Queen Videhā what had happened in the night, which was like an arrow in her heart. Videhā wept: “Oh, cruel fate, having taken my son from me, you are not satisfied, but will take my daughter also. The choice of a husband is according to one's own wish among the people, not according to the wish of another. From fate this choosing of a husband at another's wish has fallen on me. If Rāma does not accomplish the stringing of the bow, which has been agreed on at another's wish, and some one else does, then there will be an undesirable bridegroom."
Janaka said: “Do not be afraid. I have seen Rāghava's strength, O queen. The bow will be like a creeper to him.” After enlightening Videhā thus, Janaka worshipped the two jewels of bows at dawn and put them in the pavilion provided with a platform. Summoned by Janaka, the Vidyadhara-lords came there for Sītā's svayamvara and sat down on the platform. Then, escorted by her women-friends, wearing divine ornaments, Jänaki approached there like a goddess walking on earth. After making pūjā to the bow and setting Rāma in her mind, Jānaki stood there, a stream of nectar to the eyes of the people. Then at the sight of Sītā's beauty which agreed with Nārada's description, Bhamandala's love assumed the character of a disease.