King Dasaratha Faces a Difficult Choice
Balakanda - Sarga 20
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Balakanda - Sarga 20
Upon hearing Viswamitra's words, King Dasaratha, the tiger among kings, momentarily lost his senses. After regaining consciousness, he spoke:
"My lotus-eyed Rama is less than sixteen years old. I don't see his ability to fight with the rakshasas (demons) in battle. Here is a full akshauhini (a large army unit) of which I am the lord and sustainer. Accompanied by this akshauhini, I will engage those rakshasas in battle.
These servants of mine are valiant warriors, powerful and skilled in using weapons. They are fit to engage a multitude of rakshasas. It's not proper for you to take Rama.
I myself, with a bow in hand, will protect the sacrifice. As long as I live, I will battle the rakshasas on the battlefield. Your observance of vows will be well-protected and continue without obstacles. I will come there. It's not proper to take Rama with you."
Dasaratha continued, explaining why Rama wasn't ready:
"Rama is still a child, not learned in the science of warfare. He doesn't know the strengths and weaknesses of enemies. He hasn't acquired the strength of weapons and isn't proficient in warfare. He isn't qualified to face the rakshasas, who are certainly deceitful in battle.
Separated from Rama, I cannot bear to live even for a moment. O tiger among ascetics, it's not proper to take Rama with you."
"O sage of excellent vows, O brahman, if you intend to take Rama, take me also along with my army consisting of elephants, chariots, cavalry, and infantry.
O scion of the Kusika family, sixty thousand years have passed since I was born. Rama was born to me after great suffering. It's not proper to take him with you.
Among my four sons, my love for Rama is supreme. It's not proper for you to take Rama, the eldest son whose prime qualification is his virtue."
Seeking more information, the king asked:
"O best of sages:
How powerful are these rakshasas?
Whose sons are they? Who are they?
How large are their bodies?
Who is protecting them?
O brahman, how should Rama, my forces, or I myself retaliate against these deceitful warriors? Tell me everything, O venerable one. How should I face these wicked-natured ones in battle? For rakshasas are proud of their prowess."
Having heard Dasaratha's words, Viswamitra explained:
"Born in the illustrious race of Pulastya is a rakshasa named Ravana. Granted a boon by Brahma, he possesses great strength and prowess. Accompanied by numerous rakshasas, he excessively torments the three worlds.
It is said that Ravana, king of rakshasas, is evidently the brother of Kubera and son of the ascetic Visrava. He possesses great prowess.
Although endowed with great strength, Ravana himself never creates impediments to the sacrifice. But two rakshasas, Maricha and Subahu, are incited by him to cause obstacles."
Informed in this manner by sage Viswamitra, King Dasaratha addressed the sage, saying:
"I am not capable of standing before those evil-minded ones in the battle."
King Dasaratha continued his plea to Viswamitra:
"O knower of righteousness, extend your favor to my little son and to me, for I am unfortunate. You are verily my spiritual preceptor and god.
Gods, danavas (a class of demons), gandharvas (celestial musicians), yakshas (nature spirits), birds, and great serpents cannot withstand Ravana in battle. What then of men?
That rakshasa (demon) takes away the prowess of warriors in battle. O foremost of ascetics, I am not competent to engage him or his forces, either with my army or together with my sons."
The king firmly stated his position:
"O brahman, although my son resembles celestial deities, he is not experienced in warfare. I shall never give away my dear young child, no matter what.
Further, Maricha and Subahu, who are causing obstacles to your sacrifice, resemble the god of death, Yama, in battle. They are the sons of Sunda and Upasunda. I shall never part with my son.
Maricha and Subahu possess prowess and are experienced in warfare. I, along with my group of friends, can combat with one of the two."
The narrative then describes Viswamitra's response to Dasaratha's refusal:
With these statements from King Dasaratha, great rage entered Viswamitra, the son of Kusika, who was like Indra among ascetics. The fire in the form of the great sage blazed like the sacrificial fire into which oblations of clarified butter have been poured.
Thus ends the twentieth sarga (chapter) of Balakanda (The Book of Youth) of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.