Ramakatha Rasavahini - Part 1

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COLOR: #003300; FONT-FAMILY: 'Bookman Old Style'">Chapter 3No Progeny from his

Loins (Continued..) Meanwhile, another project entered his head!

"Dasaratha is a youth of marital age now; if I so contrive that he does not

marry at all, it will make my safety doubly sure", he thought within himself!

Looking about with the aid of his Rakshasa skills, he discerned that there was

a great likelihood that Dasaratha will wed the daughter of the King of

Kosala. So, he decided to put an end to that princess! When one's own

destruction is imminent, reason turns crooked - as the saying goes! He entered

the Kosala kingdom stealthily in disguise and kidnapped the princess. Placing

her in a wooden box, he cast it over the waves of the sea. Ravana

could not see the truth that nothing can ever happen without the concurrence of

the Divine Will. Brahma willed otherwise: the box was carried by the waves on to

the shore. The place where it landed was a fine recreation area. The next day,

Sumanthra, the Prime Minister of Dasaratha happened to visit the place on a

quiet holiday, to be spent in discussing within himself the problems of the

State. His eyes fell in the box; he retrieved it and opened it. He was

surprised to find in it a charming girl, with attractive shining eyes and a

halo of divine splendour. Sumanthra was overcome with pity; he spoke soft and

sweet to the girl, "Little one! How did it happen that you were placed inside

this box?" She replied, "Sir, I am the princess of the Kosala

kingdom; my name is Kausalya. I am not aware how I came inside this box nor who

placed me in it. I was playing with my companions in the palace gardens; I do

not remember

what happened to me". Sumanthra was moved by her simple and sincere statement.

He said, "Such barbarian stratagems are resorted to only by Rakshasas; they are

beyond the ken of men! I shall take you to your father and place you in his

hands. Come with me! Let us go without delay". Sumanthra placed her

in his chariot and proceeded to Kosala, where he restored her to the King and

recited before the Court the details known to him. The King too, interrogated

Sumanthra in

various ways. He discovered that he was none other than the minister at the

Court of Dasaratha, Emperor of Ayodhya, and that his master was still

unmarried. He was filled with joy at the discovery. He said, "Minister! You

brought back to me this child of mine, saving her from destruction. So, I have

resolved to give her in marriage to your master himself. Please inform the king

of my offer". He honoured Sumanthra with due ceremony and sent him with the

Court Priest and appropriate presents. Sumanthra told Dasaratha in

detail all that had happened. In order to confirm his acceptance, Dasaratha

sent with

the Court Priest of Kosala his own Court Priest with gifts of auspicious nature.

The date and time were fixed; Dasaratha proceeded to the Kosala capital

accompanied by a magnificent array of elephantry, chariotry, cavalry and

infantry. The paean of music which marched with him reached the sky and echoed

from the horizon. The marriage of Dasaratha and Kausalya was celebrated with

resounding grandeur and splendour. The King of Kosala took Sumanthra near him

and said, "You are the person who brought about this glory; of course, nothing

ever happens without God's will. Nevertheless, how can I repay the debt I owe

you and demonstrate my gratitude to you? Please honour my offer and accept it;

be wedded this day itself in my capital city. If you agree, I shall arrange for

the celebration of that joyous event this very day".

Style'"> Dasaratha and Sumanthra gave their consent to the proposal.

Sumanthra was married to the daughter of Veeradasa, of the clan of Ganga. The

news of the marriages of both King and Prime Minister at the same place, on the

same day, spread throughout the City, nay, throughout the kingdom!The land was

filled with wonder and delight. The festival lasted three days; the populace

were treated to music, drama, dance and other forms of entertainment. Night and

day were packed with excitement and

joy. On the fourth day, Dasaratha started back for Ayodhya, with his

queen and courtiers as well as Minister Sumanthra with his bride and entourage;

they entered the City amidst the acclamation of the people. His subjects

exulted at the marriages of both King and Minister; they danced in the streets

and shouted "JayJay" till their throats got hoarse. They lined the streets

to see their Queen; they sprinkled rose-water on the roads by which they came

and welcomed them waving flames of camphor.

FONT-FAMILY: 'Bookman Old Style'"> (Chapter 3 To be continued..) SaiRam.