Brides for All

Brides for All

In the conference room, Janaka was joined by his brother Kushadhwaja who ruled over a state on the bank of a river that ran close to the state of Videha. Kushadhwaja’s state originally belonged to King Sudhanva who had demanded from Janaka the great bow of Shiva and Seeta both. Janaka’s refusal led to a battle between Sudhanva and Janaka and after killing his enemy in the battle, Janaka had established his own rule in the conquered state with his brother Kushadhwaja as the new king.

Everybody rejoiced over Janaka’s decision to offer Urmila to Laxman. The ties between the two kingdoms were going to be doubly secured thereby.

Vishwamitra, the great diplomat and an erstwhile king, always thought ahead of everyone. He said, “Now that you are thinking of strengthening the ties between Ayodhya and Mithila, let me also say something; please listen. I know that this wise king Kushadhwaja who is gracing the conference with his presence; he too has two beautiful daughters. I will choose them as brides for prince Bharat and his valiant brother Shatrughna. All these sons of Dashratha are bright, young, just, and endowed with godlike valor.”

He addressed Janaka and said, “His Highness, offer these two princesses in marriage to Bharat and Shatrughna and secure the ties further. You are a noble and wise king; do not hesitate.”

Vishwamitra looked at Vasishtha to seek support. Vasishtha expressed satisfaction. Janaka felt assured. He said to both the sages, “It’s a good augury for our royal family that we are ordered by you to establish a bond with the great Ishwaku dynasty. We seek your blessings and abide by your command. Let these four valiant princes marry our four daughters on the same day.

It was an event which was both unprecedented and unanticipated. Dashratha had been waiting for the safe return of Rama and Laxman from Vishwamitra’s project of conquest of forests. The thing turned out to be more than an ordinary victory. Today all his sons were going to marry in the same royal family. The political gain could not be discounted. There was no time for Dashratha to make arrangements for bringing his wives and other women of the family to Mithila. In fact, the whole affair was tacitly controlled and channelized by Vishwamitra.

The proposal that Dashratha’s other sons should marry Kushadhwaja’s daughters was accepted without bias, and immediately thereupon, Janaka pointed out that the next two days were ruled by Purvafalguni constellation; the day after however, was ruled by Uttara-falguni constellation which is supposed to be most auspicious for solemnizing marriage. Having said this, Janaka got up and thanked Vasishtha and Vishwamitra; offered    them the preceptor-ship of Mithila and requested them to guide the religious ceremony as they would do it for Ayodhya.

Dashratha went back to his camp with his sons and the retinue, performed the religious rites prior to the wedding-ceremony and graced the occasion by donating four million cows to the brahmins in Mithila.