Bal Kanda
Narration
Today we will read the seventy-third chapter of the Bālakāṇḍa — the 73rd Sarga.
On the day King Daśaratha performed the grand offerings for the wedding of his four sons including Śrī Rāma, Bharat’s maternal uncle, the valiant prince Yudhājit, arrived there. After meeting the king, he asked about his wellbeing and said:
“The great king of the Kekaya country, Raghunandana, has affectionately asked about your welfare, and all those from our land whose welfare you may want to know are all well and happy. King Aśvapati, the ruler of Kekaya, wishes to see my nephew Bharat. I had come to Ayodhyā to take him back, but when I heard that all your sons have come with you to Mithilā for their marriage, I came here immediately, because I had a great desire to see my sister’s son.”
King Daśaratha welcomed his dear guest with great honor, as he truly deserved such respect. Then, after spending the night with his noble sons, the wise king rose at dawn, finished his daily duties, placed the sages in front, and went to King Janaka’s sacrificial hall.
When the auspicious time named Vijay arrived, suitable for marriage, Śrī Rāmacandra arrived there with his brothers, all adorned in garments appropriate for grooms. They had completed the auspicious rites required for the wedding. Guided by Sage Vasiṣṭha and the other great sages, they entered the wedding pavilion.
At that moment, Vasiṣṭha approached King Janaka and said:
“O King, the noble ruler Daśaratha, chief among kings, has completed the wedding rites and stands here with his sons, awaiting the giver’s permission to enter. For in a wedding, the giver must invite the receiver; only then the sacred act of giving can be fulfilled. Therefore, perform the auspicious rituals and invite them, and fulfill your sacred duty of giving your daughters in marriage.”
Hearing this, the generous, righteous, and radiant King Janaka replied:
“For the great King Daśaratha, who stands guard here? Whose permission does he wait for? Why should he hesitate to enter his own home? My kingdom is as much his as it is mine. The sacred rites for my daughters’ marriage are complete. I am already seated at the sacrificial altar, shining like the blazing flames of fire. I sit here only waiting for him. Let him enter without delay. Why should he wait?”
Hearing Janaka’s words from Vasiṣṭha’s lips, King Daśaratha entered with his sons and the sages. Then King Janaka said to Vasiṣṭha:
“O noble sage, please conduct the entire marriage ceremony of the charming Śrī Rāma, taking the sages with you.”
Then Vasiṣṭha, praising Jānaki, had Viśvāmitra and Sadananda lead the preparations. In the center of the marriage pavilion they constructed the altar, beautifully decorating it with sandal paste and flowers, placing golden bowls, pots filled with sprouting grains, painted vessels, incense burners, conch vessels, and offerings of fried grains, washed rice, and all sacred materials.
Then Sage Vasiṣṭha spread kuśa grass around the altar, recited the mantras, installed the sacred fire, and offered oblations.
Next, King Janaka brought Sītā, adorned with every ornament, placed her before Śrī Rāma, and said:
“Raghunandana, may you be blessed. This is my daughter Sītā, present here to be your wife in dharma. Accept her, take her hand in yours. She is supremely devoted, extremely fortunate, and will follow you like a shadow.”
Saying this, the king poured the sanctified water of intention into Rāma’s hands. From the mouths of gods and sages came praises for Janaka. The divine drums sounded, and flowers rained down from the sky.
Then, filled with joy after giving his daughter in marriage through mantra and sacred water, Janaka said to Lakṣmaṇa:
“Lakṣmaṇa, may you be blessed. Come, I give you Urmilā for your service. Accept her, take her hand without delay.”
Then to Raghunandana (Bharata), he said:
“Take Māṇḍavī’s hand in yours.”
And addressing Śatrughna, he said:
“O noble one, take Śrutakīrti’s hand with your own. You four brothers are calm and righteous. You have observed noble vows. Become united with your wives without delay.”
Hearing Janaka’s words, the four princes took the hands of the four princesses. Guided by Vasiṣṭha, they circumambulated the altar, Daśaratha, and the sages, completing the marriage by Vedic rites. Flowers rained from the heavens, divine drums sounded, apsarās danced, and gandharvas sang. The wedding of the jewel-like princes of the Raghu lineage appeared wondrous.
After finishing the rites and taking three circumambulations around the fire, the princes accepted their brides.
Then the four brothers, who filled the Raghu dynasty with joy, went to their bridal chambers with their wives, and King Daśaratha followed them with sages and relatives, looking upon his sons and daughters-in-law.
Thus ends the 73rd Sarga of the Bālakāṇḍa of the Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa.
This is the 74th Sarga: Viśvāmitra departs for his āśrama, King Janaka gives great dowries, auspicious and inauspicious omens on the road, and the arrival of Paraśurāma.
When dawn came, Sage Viśvāmitra asked permission from both kings and left for his āśrama at the foothills of the Himalayas, on the banks of the Kauśikī river.
After Viśvāmitra left, King Daśaratha sought permission from King Janaka to return to Ayodhyā. King Janaka gave enormous riches as dowry for his daughters — countless cows, fine carpets, millions of silk and cotton garments, ornaments, divine elephants, horses, chariots, soldiers, hundreds of maidens as companions, servants, and one crore of gold, silver, pearls, and coral. After giving such gifts joyfully, King Janaka returned to his palace.
King Daśaratha then set out toward Ayodhyā with sages, his sons, soldiers, and attendants. Along the way, fierce-voiced birds began to cry around them, and the deer walked keeping them on their right side. Seeing this mix of ominous and auspicious signs, King Daśaratha asked Vasiṣṭha:
“O sage, fierce birds are crying loudly on one side, yet deer walk with us on our right. What is this sign of both good and bad? My heart trembles, and sorrow fills my mind.”
Vasiṣṭha said gently:
“O king, the birds indicate that some great danger is approaching, but the deer tell us that this danger will be resolved. Therefore, give up your worry.”
As they spoke, a fierce storm arose, shaking the earth and toppling huge trees. The sun was covered in darkness. Dust filled the air; the army was confused. Only Vasiṣṭha, the sages, the princes, and King Daśaratha remained conscious; the rest fainted.
Amid that darkness, King Daśaratha saw Paraśurāma approaching — the destroyer of the pride of kṣatriyas. His matted locks were large, he looked terrifying like Mount Kailāsa, blazing like the fire of destruction. He carried an axe on his shoulder, and in his hands a radiant bow and fierce arrows. He looked like Lord Śiva himself.
Seeing him, the sages wondered:
“Has he come under the influence of anger again? Will he destroy the kṣatriyas? But he had already removed his anger by destroying them before. He no longer needs revenge.”
The sages offered him arghya and greeted him respectfully. Accepting their worship, Paraśurāma turned to Śrī Rāma and said:
“Raghunandana, I have heard of your wondrous valor. I have heard how you broke the bow of Śiva — an extraordinary deed. Hearing this, I have brought this other great bow — the terrifying bow of Jamadagnī’s son. Take it, string it, and place an arrow on it. Show me your strength. If you succeed, I shall grant you the chance for a duel worthy of your prowess.”
Hearing this, King Daśaratha’s face became pale. Folding his hands, he said:
“O Brāhmaṇa, you are born of a noble lineage, radiant, and full of brahmic knowledge. You had given up weapons after promising Indra, and you live at Mahendra mountain after giving the earth to Kaśyapa. Why have you come to destroy us? If your anger is only toward Rāma, then know that if he dies, we will all give up our lives.”
But Paraśurāma ignored his words and continued speaking to Rāma:
“These two bows were divine, made by Viśvakarmā. One was given to Śiva, with which he destroyed Tripura. That is the bow you broke. The other, equal in strength, was given to Viṣṇu. When the gods once sought to test who was stronger — Śiva or Viṣṇu — Brahmā created conflict between them. A terrible battle arose. At that time, with a single roar, Viṣṇu made Śiva’s bow loose and stunned Śiva himself. Seeing this, the gods acknowledged Viṣṇu’s superiority.”
Rudra, angered, gave his bow to the sage Devavrata of Videha. And Viṣṇu gave his bow — the Vaiṣṇava bow — to the sage Ṛcīka. Ṛcīka then gave it to my father Jamadagnī. When my father was seated in meditation, the foolish prince Kārtavīrya Arjuna killed him. Hearing this, I destroyed the kṣatriyas many times. Then I conquered the earth and gave it to Kaśyapa, and went to Mahendra mountain.
Now I have come peacefully after hearing of the breaking of Śiva’s bow. This Vaiṣṇava bow has remained in my family. Now take this bow according to kṣatriya dharma, place an arrow on it that can conquer enemy cities. If you can do this, I shall grant you battle.”
Thus ends the 75th Sarga of the Bālakāṇḍa.