RAMAYAN

balkand-5

🙏 The Slaying of Marich and Subahu 🙏

The next day, having risen at the Brahma Muhurta and completed their daily rituals and evening prayers, Ram and Lakshman approached Guru Vishwamitra and said, "Gurudev! Please tell us at what time the demons come to obstruct the Yagya. We want to know this so that they don't cause trouble without our knowledge."

Hearing these enthusiastic words from Dashrath's brave sons, all the sages present were extremely pleased and said, "O Princes, the jewels of the Raghu lineage! To protect the Yagya, you will have to remain fully vigilant and alert for six days and nights from today. During these six days, Vishwamitra Ji will perform the Yagya in silence. He will not answer any of your questions during this time because he has taken the initiation for the Yagya."

Upon receiving this information, Ram and Lakshman, fully equipped with all their weapons, prepared to protect the Yagya. For five days and five nights, they continuously guarded the Yagya with vigilance, without any rest, but during this period, no obstacles or disturbances occurred. On the sixth day, Ram said to Lakshman, "Brother Soumitra! Today is the last day of the Yagya, and there is a high probability of demons coming to cause mischief. Today, we need to be especially careful. Even a slight carelessness could make the sage's Yagya and our efforts futile and meaningless."

Ram had just cautioned Lakshman when the Yagya materials, chamas (ladles), samidha (sacrificial wood), etc., flared up on their own. A sound emanated from the sky as if clouds were thundering and hundreds of lightning bolts were striking. After this, the demonic army of Marich and Subahu began showering blood, flesh, marrow, bones, etc. Seeing the blood falling, Ram cast an inquisitive glance at the mischief-makers. Seeing the illusory demonic army in the sky, Ram said to Lakshman, "Lakshman! String your bow with an arrow and be ready. I will now destroy the army of these great sinners by unleashing the Manavastra (human weapon)."

Saying this, Ram displayed extraordinary agility and skill, releasing the Manavastra upon them. The Manavastra struck Marich's chest with the speed of a storm, and due to its force, he was flung one hundred yojanas (four hundred kos or approximately 800 miles) away, falling into the ocean. After this, Ram threw the Agneyastra (fire weapon) into the sky, from which a terrifying flame of fire burst forth and enveloped Subahu from all sides. This flame of fire incinerated that great sinner in an instant. When his burnt body fell to the earth, there was a loud crash. Due to its impact, many trees broke and fell to the ground. After finishing the attack on Marich and Subahu, Ram unleashed an arrow called Vayavya (wind weapon) to destroy the remaining demons. With the impact of that weapon, the valiant warriors of the vast demonic army began to fall to the ground like hailstones, dying one by one. In this way, the entire demonic army was annihilated in a short time. Cheers for Ram echoed everywhere, and flowers rained down. Having completed the Yagya without hindrance, Muni Vishwamitra rose from the Yagya altar and embraced Ram, saying, "O Lotus of the Raghu lineage! Today, my Yagya has been successful due to the power of your arms and your combat skills. By destroying the troublesome demons, you have truly blessed Siddhashram today."

🙏 Departure for the Bow Sacrifice 🙏

Sage Vishwamitra explained, "O Ram! Janaka is a title of the kings of Mithilapuri that has been passed down for a long time."

The next day, Ram and Lakshman completed their daily rituals and evening prayers and approached Guru Vishwamitra to offer their respects. There, from the ascetics residing in the ashram, Ram and Lakshman learned that King Janaka had organized a Bow Sacrifice in Mithila. Kings from various countries were coming to participate in that Bow Sacrifice.

Ramachandra asked Guru Vishwamitra, "Gurudev! What is the specialty of this bow, and what is the purpose of organizing this sacrifice?"

Sage Vishwamitra explained, "O Ram! Janaka is a title of the kings of Mithilapuri that has been passed down for a long time. In ancient times, at some point, an ancestor named Devarata performed a great Yagya with great devotion and faith, in which he also invited the gods. Pleased with Devarata's Yagya, the gods bestowed upon him a bow named Pinaka. This bow is extremely beautiful, grand, and dignified, and at the same time, it is very heavy and powerful. Great, strong, valiant, and battle-skilled warriors and heroes cannot even lift it, let alone string it. For the swayamvar (self-choice marriage ceremony) of his only beautiful and charming daughter Sita, the King of Mithila has vowed that he will marry his daughter to any valiant prince or king who can string this bow. Kings and princes from many countries are reaching Mithilapuri in large numbers to participate in this Yagya. We also wish to see this Yagya. Therefore, you also come with us to Mithilapuri. Seeing it will also bring you joy."

As per the great sage's command, Ram and Lakshman also departed towards Mithilapuri with Vishwamitra and other sages. Along the way, while observing various sights, they also engaged in spiritual discussions. In this manner, they reached the bank of the Shona River. Vishwamitra, along with all the sages and princes, bathed in the cool waters of the river. After this, having completed their evening prayers, they became engaged in discussions of religious stories. As night advanced, by the Guru's command, everyone spent the night there.

After completing their morning rituals and evening prayers, the group moved forward. They reached the bank of the supremely holy Ganga River. At that time, it was midday, so Lord Bhaskara had reached the center of the sky, and the sight of the Ganga appeared extremely enchanting. Many reflections of the sun were visible in the playfully dancing waves. Curious fish were playing in the water, and birds like cranes and swans were singing sweetly in the sky. Golden grains of sand were scattered far and wide, and the unparalleled beauty of the riverside trees was visible.

Ram was gazing at this scene without blinking. Seeing him, Vishwamitra asked, "My child! What are you looking at with such emotion?" Ram said, "Gurudev! I am looking at this amazing splendor of the Surasari (Ganga). Just by seeing this supremely holy river, my heart is filled with an extraordinary peace. Bhagavan! I wish to hear from your blessed lips how this purifier of sins, the holy Ganga, originated, and why is Ganga called Tripaathaga (one who flows in three paths)?"

Hearing Ram's question, Sage Vishwamitra said, "O Ram! The story of Ganga, who alleviates many kinds of sorrows and afflictions, is extremely entertaining and interesting. I will tell this story to all of you."

Sage Vishwamitra then began to narrate the story: "Mount Himavat (Himalaya), the king of mountains, had two extremely beautiful, charming, and virtuous daughters. The mother of these daughters was Maina, the daughter of Mount Sumeru. The elder daughter's name was Ganga, and the younger daughter's name was Uma. Ganga was extremely influential and endowed with extraordinary divine qualities. She did not accept any bonds and followed her own chosen paths. Impressed by her extraordinary talent, the gods, for the welfare of the world, asked for her from Himavat and took her to their abode. The other daughter of the mountain king, Uma, was a great ascetic. She performed severe and extraordinary penance and obtained Lord Shiva as her husband."

When Vishwamitra had spoken this much, Ram said, "O Bhagavan! If the gods took Ganga to Suraloka, then how did she descend to Earth, and why is Ganga called Tripaathaga (one who flows in three paths)?"

Answering Ram's question, Sage Vishwamitra said, "Uma met Ganga while she was roaming in Suraloka. Ganga told Uma that she had been roaming in Suraloka for a long time. She wished to roam on her homeland, Earth. Uma assured Ganga that she would try to make arrangements for this."