Devi Puranam !! Glories of King Dasaratha !!



Jai Sriman Narayana !!
 
 

The Chapter Twenty Eight in Devi Puranam describes the glory of the King Dasaratha from the Solar Dynasty and his sons Rama, Lakshmana, Bharatha and Shatrugna.




Maharishi Veda Vyasa describes to King Janamejaya about  the life of Lord Rama.   The kingdom of Ayodhya was ruled by the righteous king Dasaratha.  He had no offspring's for quite sometime.  King Dasaratha conducted 'Putrakameshti Yaga' and in due course of time, his wives Kousalya, Kaikeyi and Sumitra gave birth to beautiful divine children Rama, Lakshman, Bharata and Shatrugna.   The four children were equally intelligent and possessed all the virtues.  At their small age the children went to learn Astra Shastra Vidhya from their 'Rajaguru' - Maharishi Vashishta. 
 
 
 

The time passed by, the children grown into handsome young men.  King Dasaratha was on the search of suitable brides for his  four sons.  One day  Maharishi Vishwamitra arrived at the palace, King Dasaratha received the rishi with all due respects.  Apparently, Maharishi Vishwamitra's eyes fell on the handsome young man - Rama  and could not take his eyes off.    Maharishi  informed the King about the obstructions caused by the demons while conducting Yagnas and Yagas and revealed his intension to take Rama with him to protect the same.  King Dasaratha was not in a position to refuse the idea of Maharishi.  Finally, Rama and Lakshmana followed Maharishi Vishwamitra to the forest to protect his Yagna.





On the way to the hermitage of Maharishi Vishwamitra,  Rama killed Thadaka -a demon.  While performing sacrificial fire by the sages,  Subahu and Maricha was   continuously interrupting the Yagna.  Rama  killed Subahu with the shot of an arrow and made Maricha to  run for his life.  Rama and Lakshmana protected the Yagna without any hindrances.  After  successful completion of  their responsibilities to  protect  the Yagna, Rama and Lakshman followed  Rishi Koushik to Mithila.  On his way, Rama saved Ahalya from the curse,  by the touch of his feet on a rough stone turned into a beautiful  young chaste woman  Ahalya, wife of Sage Gautama. 
 
 

The Kingdom of Mithila was ruled by the righteous King Janaka, declared the 'Swayamvaram' (choosing bridegroom) for his daughter Sita.  King Janaka made a vow that whoever break the 'Shivadanus' would  marry his daughter Sita.  There were many princes arrived on the scene to test their luck.  It was Rama's turn to break the Shivadanus and as soon as he lifted the bow, it broke into two pieces.  As promised by the King Janaka, the divine marriage of Rama and Sita took place.   Eventually, Lakshmana married to Urmila, Bharatha and Shatrunga married to Mandavi and Srutakirti respectively.
 
 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

 

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