Ramayanapage 1
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When Rama was 15 years old the great sage Vishwamitra came to Ayodya. He needed Rama's help in protecting his prayers from harassment by demons. Taraka was a very powerful demon who would eat the sages in that area. Although still a young boy Rama was able to kill her and free the sages from her tyranny. Vishwamitra was aware of Rama's mission on earth which included freeing the oppressed from negative forces. This was the beginning of many such encounters. |
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Ahalya was the wife of sage Gautama. She was cursed by her husband for an indiscretion that was not really her fault. She had to live on air, in an invisible state. She would be freed from the curse when Rama would enter the ashram. It was many years later that Rama was born and finally entered the ashram. His presence freed Ahalya from the curse and she appeared before him. At the same time Gautama returned and accepted back his wife. |
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King Janaka had a beautiful daughter who many believed to be an incarnation of the Goddess Lakshmi. King Janaka had in his possession the great bow of Rudra. When the time came for selecting her husband King Janaka ordered that anyone who could string the bow would win the hand of his daughter. Although many tried no one was equal to the task. Rama effortlessly strung the bow and on pulling back the string, to the amazement of all the bow snapped in half. |
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King Dhasaratha have given one of his wives Kaykeyi a wish which she had put off for years. Now she requested that Rama be banished to the forest for 14 years and that her son Bharata should be crowned as king. Rama, ever the upholder of truth, was happy to fulfill his fathers wish. Sita and Lakshman (Rama's devoted younger brother) could not bear to be away from Rama so they accompanied him to the forest. On his way he met Guha, the forest king in that area. Here Guha is washing Rama's feet. He then took them across the holy river Ganga in his boat. |
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Rama's younger brother Bharata was very devoted to Rama. He did not know anything about his mother's plot to win him the kingdom. He was away at the time. When he returned he went to the forest to bring Rama back. For Rama the kingdom was a small thing compared to upholding the word of his father. Bharata took Rama's sandals and put them on the throne. He wisely ruled the kingdom, serving Rama's sandals and living a simple life as Rama was in the forest. |
