Valiant Protectors of the Yajna (Ramayana Series - 5)

🕉️ Anxious Vigil Before the Battle

The vigilant princes Rama and Lakshmana, ever ready to uphold dharma, stood before the sage Vishwamitra and said, “O revered one! When shall we strike down the rakshasas who disrupt your sacred yajna? Please let that time not pass us by. Kindly instruct us without delay.”

Their repeated requests, full of youthful zeal and righteous valor, pleased the sages of Siddhashrama. With joy, they told the royal brothers, “Noble princes! For six nights starting today, you must protect the yajna. As soon as Vishwamitra enters his vow of silence, the sacred ritual will commence.”

🔥 The Heroic Defense of the Yajna – The Slaying of Subahu and Repelling of Maricha

With steadfast resolve, Rama and Lakshmana remained awake through six nights, tirelessly guarding the forest and the yajna. Positioned close to the sage, they stood like divine sentinels. On the sixth morning, as the yajna altar shimmered with sacred fire and mantras echoed with precise intonation, a dreadful sound suddenly filled the sky.

Like thunderclouds covering the sky during the monsoons, the rakshasas Maricha and Subahu descended with terrifying cries. They unleashed a shower of blood over the altar, attempting to desecrate the holy fire. Rama swiftly took aim with his bow and, with calm focus, said to Lakshmana, “Watch, dear brother. With the Manavastra, I will cast Maricha far away, for I have no desire to kill him.”

Drawing his bow, Rama struck Maricha in the chest with such force that he was flung a hundred yojanas into the sea, rendered unconscious but alive. Then, turning his wrath upon Subahu, Rama invoked the Agneyastra and felled the demon with a single, searing arrow. The rest of the demon horde met their end with the mighty Vayavyastra, and peace returned.

As the seventh day dawned and the yajna concluded, Vishwamitra looked upon all directions and declared with joy, “Dear Rama! My yajna has been completed without disruption. Thanks to you, the name of this Siddhashrama has once again become true in spirit.” With blessings and praise, he departed for the evening sandhya rituals.

🌿 A Divine Invitation: Journey to Mithila

That night, Rama and Lakshmana rested peacefully in the sage’s ashram, hearts filled with the joy of duty fulfilled. At dawn, they completed their morning rituals and respectfully approached Vishwamitra.

“O venerable one! We came here to serve you. Please command us again – what shall we do next?”

Hearing their humble words, other sages gathered and, with Vishwamitra’s consent, spoke to Rama: “O Purushottama! A grand yajna is to be held in the city of Mithila by King Janaka. We are all journeying there. If you come along, you will witness a marvelous sight – the divine bow of Lord Shiva!” With reverence, they continued, “Listen to its tale. Long ago, with that very bow, Lord Shiva destroyed the yajna of Daksha. The bow was later gifted to King Devarata of Mithila. His descendant, the noble King Janaka, performed a mighty yajna, and the gods, pleased, presented the bow in the sacrificial hall. No celestial, demon, gandharva, rakshasa, or human has ever been able to lift, string, or bend that bow. If you accompany us, you shall witness this wonder and the sacred yajna.”

🌄 The Departure

Having heard the tale, Rama and Lakshmana bowed in respect. Vishwamitra, along with the sages and the divine princes, performed purificatory rites, invoked the forest deities, and set out toward Mithila – a journey destined to change the course of destiny itself.