Episode Twelve - Protection

Welcome to the twelfth episode of The Journey of Rama. If this is your first encounter with The Journey, please read Episode One first.

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On with Episode Twelve!

Vishvamitra, Rama, and Lakshman arrived at the sage’s ashram mid-afternoon. They were welcomed by Vishvamitra’s students and ten visiting sages who had come for the fire ceremony. Rama and Lakshman helped with the ceremony preparations. Then they examined their weapons and tightened their bowstrings. After the evening meal, they sat with Vishvamitra for a while while he had a discourse with his pupils, then slept.

At daybreak, Rama bowed before Vishvamitra and said, “Please go and perform your sacrifice. Lakshman and I will see to it that there are no interruptions.” Vishvamitra nodded, then gathered the sages around the fire pit.

Rama and Lakshman took positions at the corners, approximately ten feet away from the pit’s edge. As the yogis offered their oblations into the sacred fire, the two princes circled them. They watched the sky and the trees, alert to any unusual movement.

Although they were miles away, Maricha and Subahu could hear the chanting of the mantras. “Maricha,” said Subahu, “those damned yogis dare to offer another fire ceremony!”

“Apparently, they haven’t learned their lessons, my brother. Summon a crew, and let’s pay them a visit.”

Within minutes, a gang of demons, more a horde than a crew, flew toward the forest ashram led by the two Rakshasa brothers.

Rama heard them coming before anyone else. “They’re coming, Lakshman. The brothers and their troop.” Lakshman nodded, keeping his eyes on the sky, his field of vision sweeping left to right. Rama looked to the southeast. “That way,” he whispered. “I’ll take the brothers; you take the rest.” Lakshman grinned and gave a slight nod.

Maricha was the first to appear over the tree line. Rama notched an arrow with a broad, flat end. He pulled back the bowstring and fired at Maricha’s chest. The demon was about to laugh when he felt the impact of Rama’s arrow.

The force threw him backward through the sky. Rather than kill him, the magic of the arrow carried Maricha over eight hundred miles to the southeast, dropping the demon onto the island of Lanka, far beyond the seashore.

Lakshman pulled out one of the enchanted arrows from his quiver. Aiming for the center of the pack of flying demons, he fired and saw his arrow fan out into a dozen arrows, each one striking the heart of an Asura. He fired arrow after arrow until the pack lay dead, either on the ground or hanging from the trees.

Subahu flew toward Rama, enraged. Rama fired an arrow at the son of Tadaka, and the arrowhead ignited. As soon as the arrow entered Subahu’s flesh, the demon burst into flames, reduced to ashes within seconds.

The skies cleared. The sages continued to offer their oblations into the fire and chanted their mantras into the air with increased vigor. Soon, birds began to sing again. All was peaceful, and Rama and Lakshman sat down cross-legged on the ground, closed their eyes, and listened to the chanting.

Several hours later, at the end of the ceremony, Vishvamitra beckoned to Rama, asking him to make the closing offering of a coconut into the flames. Rama bowed to the sage and gestured toward Lakshman, preferring to give his brother the honor. Lakshman made the offering, and the final prayers were uttered. The two princes gladly stayed the next day with Vishvamitra and the other sages, listening to their discussions of the finer points of scripture. Over their supper of roots and fruits, Rama asked Vishvamitra if there was anything else he needed of them or if they could return to Ayodhya.

“My lord Rama,” Vishvamitra answered, I would like you and your brother to travel with me to Mithila.”

“To King Janak’s kingdom? Of course, Master, we will go wherever you bid us. May I ask the purpose?”

Vishvamitra smiled broadly. “To witness a performance!”

Lakshman was startled. “A performance? Like a play?”

“No, no,” the sage chuckled. “A most unusual performance. King Janak’s daughter is of marriageable age, and the king has called for a bow sacrifice to determine a husband for the princess. And not just any bow. This is the bow gifted to Janak by Lord Shiva himself!”

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