Vishvamitra’s Departure

Rama knew, he had left a part of his self far behind. The memory of the days spent in solitude with the unknown hermit on the outskirts of Ayodhya surfaced in his mind and had to be repressed. By now, he had seen turbulence, violence and anarchy in the world that existed beyond the safe boundaries of civilization of the kingdom of Ayodhya. The evil seemed to exist on the other side of the political frontier. He knew that his spiritual and moral opponent existed somewhere like a shadow but was going to materialize soon. ‘When’ and ‘where’ was going to be decided by the powers above.

He entered the sanctified ground where the wedding was going to take place. Rama and his three brothers looked resplendent as bridegrooms in their auspicious wedding-attire.

He was led to the altar where Vasishtha ignited the holy fire with chanting of mantras. The beloved son of Kausalya and Dashratha was going to take on a wife.

Seeta arrived led by her father. Rama saw her feet for the first time and noticed that they were exceptionally beautiful. He did not want to look up to see her; there was plenty of time for that. Just now, he was content to look at her feet and imagine the rest.

Just then he heard the voice of Janaka saying, “You who are the delight of the Raghu dynasty, I bless you. My daughter Seeta is here; she is going to be your companion for life. Take her and hold her hand. She will devote her life to you, bring you good luck and will always walk behind you like your own shadow.”

Janaka’s voice was drowned in the overwhelming sounds of mantras and blessings by the preceptors and priests. Laxman, Bharat and Shatrughna took the hands of their wives in their own, in the same manner.

Four princes of Ishwaku dynasty, and four princesses of Nimi dynasty to which Janaka belonged, were now set to follow their destined paths of life.

Profoundly sonorous notes of music were played on dundubhi. In the midst of divine, auspicious songs and dance by beautiful, heavenly women, the four princes went around the holy fire with their brides, and thus the marriages were solemnized.

The next morning Vishvamitra sought leave of Janaka and Dashratha to make his departure. He went away to his hermitage where the ancient masters of yoga lived in the northern ranges of Himalayas.

After a long time Dashratha felt that life was brought to an even keel.