Brahmrishi Vishvamitra was a redoubtable opponent, yet the rakshasas were proving too much for him. They came in groups to create trouble for him and his brethren. Marich and Subahu were the most notorious of the rakshasas. They disturbed the holy men in their tapasya, desecrated their yagyas and created all sorts of nuisance. The Brahmrishi made up his mind to rid his community of the rakshasas. He knew that Lord Vishnu was already present in human form as Raja Dashrath’s eldest son, Ram. The Lord had taken avatar expressly to put an end to the demons. He would go to the raja and ask him to send Ram and his siblings with him to eliminate the rakshasas of the jungle. After all, as the king, Dashrath was obliged to provide security and protection to those who lived in his territory.
Vishvamitra initiates Ram into his mission
So, one fine day, Vishvamitra appeared before Raja Dashrath at the latter’s palace in Ayodhya. Old Dashrath was the epitome of courtesy to one of the most prominent sages of his time – till he heard his request. Then he lost his composure. Prince Ram he won’t send away from him at any cost. Sant Tulsidas captures Raja Dashrath’s anguish at the unseemly demand –
Chauthepan paayeun sut chari/Bipra bachan nahin kahehu bichari//
O Brahmin! I have got four sons in the fourth stage of my life. You have not said your words with consideration.
-Ramcharitmanas, Balkand, 207(i)
Yet, at the end of the day, and thanks to Muni Vashisht’s intervention, Vishvamitra prevailed upon the aging raja to send Ram and Lakshman with him.
In ways more than one, the journey with Vishvamitra was a rite of passage for the two brothers; for Ram in particular. The sage bestowed on him what his own father, Raja Dashrath could not have done with all his pelf and privilege (see BRAHMRISHI VISHVAMITRA – Venerable, But Still A Human, DE 21 July 2024). Princelings they were at their father’s palace, Vishvamitra turned them into warriors.
The two teenagers, dressed up in their regalia and armed as behoved their status, followed Vishvamitra on foot for a yojan-and-a-half – a distance of some 4-6 miles – to the banks of the Saryu. There the Brahmrishi stopped and asked them to perform ‘aachaman’ – sip water of the sacred river with the palms of their hands to purify their bodies – as he was going to impart to them the spells of ‘Bala’ and ‘Atibala’. Jungle walks required – then, as they do now – stamina and a capability to survive without food and water for long hours. Survival in jungle also required practical knowledge to face all kinds of problems when no outside help was forthcoming. The two spells would obviate for them these necessities. Ram and Lakshman humbly sat before the sage to receive the boons, paying him all the respect and courtesies due to a guru.
An eventful journey
The trial for the princes began that night itself. Straw and leaves spread on the Saryu bank served as mattresses for them to sleep on. Vishvamitra woke them up early in the morning to perform the morning oblations and get ready for the day’s journey. The three wayfarers passed by the confluence of the Saryu and the Ganga before reaching an ancient ashram. Vishvamitra told his young charges the story of the sanctuary to satisfy their curiosity. It was here that Lord Shiv sat in meditation till Kandarp – popularly known as Kamdev, the god of love – tried to disturb Him in His austerities. Enraged, the Lord burnt him down with a scorching stare of His third eye. The trio spent the night in Kandarp Ashram.
The following day a boat ride on the Ganga took them to a dense and dreadful forest teeming with wild beasts. The area, associated with the deeds of Lord Indra, once had spanned two prosperous janapadas, named Malad and Karush. Things were going well with everyone till Tadka – the fearsome cannibalistic rakshasi who had the might of one thousand elephants – descended there. Tadka was born a yakshi – a demi goddess – and married to the giant, Sund. She and Sund had a son, Marich. Now it so happened that Rishi Agastya was offended in some way by the father and son duo. He killed Sund and cursed Marich to become a rakshas. When, in great rage, Tadka appeared before Agastya with the intention of eating him up, the sage put a curse on her to become a rakshasi. From then on, both Tadka and her son Marich began to terrorise the people in the janapadas of Malad and Karush.
Vishvamitra was insistent that Ram should kill Tadka no matter if she was a woman. As a raja, it was his responsibility to do away with such elements as disturbed the peace and tranquillity of the populace, the sage observed. Ram assured him that his father had already instructed to him to go by Valmiki’s advice, which he would do. With that assurance, Ram twanged the string of his mighty bow. As the sound echoed in the surroundings, Tadka became a little confused. But soon enough, she appeared on the scene fuming with anger. Ram was not deterred either by her frightening appearance, or her aggressive stance, and even by her very many manoeuvres – natural and supernatural. After a lengthy combat, he pierced her bosom with an arrow. Mighty pleased with Ram’s deed, Vishvamitra gifted him with numerous divine weapons, which made the prince invincible.
Yet, the sage’s main objective of being able to perform yagya undisturbed by rakshasas was waiting to be fulfilled. He arrived at his ashram with the two brothers. After a hearty welcome by the inmates of the ashram, they had a peaceful sleep. In the morning, Vishvamitra sat down to be initiated for the yagya. Ram and Lakshman stood on guard without taking a nap for six days and six nights. On the seventh day, the altar in which the rishi-munis sat performing the rituals, suddenly caught fire. It was an indication that the notorious rakshasas Marich and Subahu had arrived with a horde of their companions. They indulged in all sorts of tricks to desecrate the yagya, what with downpours of blood and frightful noises. But in the end, Ram killed all of them, ensuring the successful completion of the yagya. An elated Vishvamitra felicitated Ram on his valorous deed –
Kritarthoasmi mahabaho kritam guruvachastvya/
Siddhashram satyam kritam vir mahayasha/
O Long-armed! I am contented in having you with me. You have carried out your guru’s instructions to the full. Most Glorious Warrior! You have given a meaning to this hermitage of the adepts.
-Balmiki Ramayan, Balkand, Canto 30(xxvi)
The following morning, Brahmrishi Vishvamitra would take the Ayodhya princes to yet another adventure, much grander and more fulfilling.
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