Vishvamitra: Again

Vishvamitra

Vishvamitra was a man of mercurial temper. It was difficult to fathom his mind. Born in the royal dynasty of the Kushika, he had ruled as a king for many years, abdicated the throne because he wanted to acquire rare yogic powers which he did attain, but in the meanwhile, often succumbed to temptations, married, divorced, and even cursed the women he had married, for luring him away from his chosen path. His main interest was inventing weapons and missiles, acquiring them if necessary, or getting them made by using the expertise of some well-known, powerful men of rare intelligence. He did not want to waste his time in trying them out himself because he had better things to do, like thinking, researching and planning. He had sought the two young sons of Dasharatha because he knew that a young mind in a young body is never beset by doubts which cause the downfall of experienced warriors. Besides, he had tremendous faith in his own ability to guide and protect them. And his confidence was not misplaced.

Though he had sought them out initially with a purely pragmatic purpose in mind, he began to like them. They were eager to learn everything about life. They were vivacious, cheerful and refreshingly young. Especially Laxman was a daredevil, and it used to be Rama’s responsibility to curb his enthusiasm. Rama would do it quietly but firmly. Rama was not an ordinary archer. He was well-versed in the art of missiles, horse-riding and charioting. He would aim with a fierce concentration, and once discharged; his missile would hit the target without fail. But he would not spring into action without a provocation. He was all too forgiving, which was both, his strength as well as weakness. Animosity out of jealousy, envy or pride was far from his mind. Though not easily led to anger, he was quick however, in gauging the other person’s state of mind. He had the rare capacity to bring out the best in others without appearing to notice any of their shortfalls. His very proximity was enough to make people want to rise to noble heights.

Laxman was a rationalist, and as many rationalists the dreamers at once, he had realized that his elder brother Rama was a poet and a lover at heart.

Vishvamitra’s sudden arrival with a pre determined design on the two princes, had thrown their life into turmoil. Laxman could sense that it was the beginning of a radical change. Though he could not see the direction of the change as yet, he was silently entering into a state of readiness. Rama’s calm demeanor in this situation was a source of great strength to him. However, Vishvamitra was not satisfied by the outcome of his conference with Dasharatha and Vasishtha, and although Dasharatha had given over his sons to him unconditionally, Vishvamitra was not sure whether he had taken charge of ignorant kids, or whether he had acquired real warriors of true strength. Whenever he remembered their tender young faces, the warrior in him withdrew in remorse. He spent a sleepless night after the conference.

The next day, he met both of them in the quiet hours of the noon, away from the glare of the conference- hall. The two brothers stood before him, waiting for him to speak, while he studied them silently. They were as yet untouched by the impurities of life. They seemed capable of getting stirred to anger, but anger had not seeped into them deep enough to make them bitter. Rama seemed to carry sorrow inside him. Vishvamitra could feel it, though he was not curious to find its nature and origin. It looked like sorrow in its abstract form. Sorrow, which is the destiny of humanity, had found its place in Rama’s heart. Vishvamitra saw the path before Rama branching in to two directions: either asceticism or action.

Vishvamitra was at a loss. Rama seemed to deny access to everybody. It was not desirable to force him into action while he was in this state of mind. Vishvamitra’s own mission carried enormous importance, the magnitude of which was not comprehensible even to him. How could he transform an ascetic into a fighter? If this problem remained without an answer, Vishvamitra’s mission was going to be frustrated.

Suddenly, Vishvamitra had an illumination: Vasishtha! Vasishtha held the answer and Vasishtha alone could initiate the process.

Vishvamitra made up his mind. He gazed at them pensively for a moment or two, and then addressed Rama.

“Rama”, he said, “I want you to go and seek the blessings of Vasishtha before you set out on the mission. Go and talk to Vasishtha. A slightest doubt or wavering on your part can turn my endeavor into a stupendous failure.”

Rama and Laxman looked at Vishvamitra simultaneously, Rama with a quick insight, and Laxman with skepticism. Laxman wondered what was going on in the mind of this astute diplomat, while Rama felt a touch of elation at the thought of meeting Vasishtha.

Vishvamitra watched them for a while and said, “I revere Vasishtha’s wisdom. I shall wait till Vasishtha speaks his mind clearly.”