Rishyashringa's Incredible Journey
Balakanda - Sarga 10
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Balakanda - Sarga 10
King Dasaratha asked Sumantra to relate how Rishyashringa was brought to the court. Sumantra began his narration:
The priest and ministers approached King Romapada with a plan. They said, "We have devised a foolproof strategy. Rishyashringa, who lives in the forest, is devoted to studying the Vedas (ancient Hindu scriptures). He has never seen women or experienced worldly pleasures."
The ministers continued, "We propose to use alluring sensory experiences that captivate men's minds to bring him to the town. Let's decide quickly and send beautiful, well-dressed courtesans (professional companions) there. They will use various means to entice him and bring him here with honor."
King Romapada agreed to the plan. The priest and ministers put it into action. The courtesans, upon hearing this, entered the vast forest. They positioned themselves near Rishyashringa's hermitage, trying to catch a glimpse of the sage's son who lived there permanently and had mastered his senses.
Rishyashringa, always content, had never left his father's hermitage. Since birth, he had never seen a woman, a man, or any creature from towns or cities. One day, by chance, Rishyashringa (son of Vibhandaka) came to the place where he saw these beautiful women.
The women, wearing colorful attire and singing sweetly, approached Rishyashringa and said, "O holy one, who are you? How do you survive? We want to know why you wander alone in this frightening, isolated forest. Please tell us."
Rishyashringa had never seen such charming women in the forest before. Feeling affection towards them, he decided to tell them about his father. He said, "My father is Vibhandaka. I am his son, known as Rishyashringa. This name, associated with my karma (having one horn on my head), is famous throughout the world."
He continued, "Our hermitage is nearby, O auspicious-looking women. I will extend hospitality to all of you according to our scriptures." Hearing Rishyashringa's words, all the women became eager to see the hermitage and accompanied him.
At the hermitage, Rishyashringa performed the rituals of hospitality, saying, "Here are our respectful offerings, water for washing your feet, and some roots and fruits." The anxious courtesans accepted the offerings but, fearing the return of the ascetic (Vibhandaka), decided to leave immediately.
They said, "O Brahmin (priest), these are our excellent fruits. May prosperity be yours. Accept and eat them without delay." Then, all of them embraced Rishyashringa with joy and gave him many sweetmeats and various foods.
Rishyashringa, who had never tasted anything other than forest fare, mistook these treats for fruits. The women, still afraid of his father's return, bid farewell to Rishyashringa, using the excuse of evening rituals.
After their departure, Rishyashringa, son of Kashyapa, remained restless and sorrowful. The next day, the sage, empowered by his penance, returned to the place where he had seen the enticing, well-adorned courtesans.
When the courtesans saw Rishyashringa approaching, they were overjoyed. They came near him and said, "O handsome one, come to our hermitage. We will extend special, sumptuous hospitality to you there."
Hearing their pleasant words, Rishyashringa decided to go with them. As the courtesans were bringing the illustrious sage to Anga, suddenly the god of rain (Parjanya) showered the earth, making it look cheerful.
King Romapada, seeing the rain accompanying the brahmin's arrival in his country, went out to welcome Rishyashringa. The king humbly bowed down, touching his head to the ground before the sage.
Concentrating his mind, Romapada rightfully offered hospitality to Rishyashringa. He sought the sage's favor, hoping that Vibhandaka (Rishyashringa's father) would not become angry for bringing his son to Anga.
The king then entered the inner apartment and, following the proper rituals, offered his daughter Shanta in marriage to Rishyashringa. With a peaceful mind, the king felt satisfied.
Sumantra concluded his narration, saying, "Thus, Rishyashringa lived there, with all his desires fulfilled and treated with great respect."
This concludes the tenth chapter (sarga) of Balakanda, the first book of the Ramayana, the great epic composed by the sage Valmiki.