RAMAAYAANA ... 1

RAMAAYAANA ... 1

(Adapted from C. Rajagopalachari's book 'Ramayana' by Sugata Bose)

Ayodhya, capital city of Kosala, made fertile by river Sarayu, had been built by Suryavangshi Manu. It was a very developed city that can draw parallels to our modern cities. Dasarath ruled from this city over his kingdom. A valorous and pious ruler, he had attained fame while fighting in alliance with the Devas. He was a powerful ruler commanding a mighty army and well protected his subjects who enjoyed happiness, prosperity and peace. 

Despite every fortune that he enjoyed Dasarath was miserable as he had no heir to his throne. Accordingly, on the advice of his spiritual ministers he arranged for a horse sacrifice which became a gala affair but replete with scriptural observances under the care of an eminent sage of the day by the name Rishya-Sringa.

Meanwhile, Raavan, the demon king of Lanka, made invulnerable by a boon from Brahmaa, wreaked havoc in the three worlds and was attempting to dethrone Indra, the king of the Devas. In desperation the Devas approached Brahmaa for a solution who said that Raavan was fallible against a human being despite the boon which only protected him against Devas, Asuras, Gandharvas and other like beings. The Devas now approached Vishnu to save them from their plight and the latter promised to incarnate Himself as the four sons of Dasarath who were about to be born out of the sacrifice he was about to perform.