Ramayana chapter 9 Sita swayamvar

Rama takes hand of sita

All arrangements for Janaka's yaga had 

been completed and to Mithila had come

many rishis and Brahman's from various

kingdoms. Viswamitra and the princes were duly welcomed. Janaka's preceptor,

Satananda, was the first to pay honor to

Viswamitra. Janaka followed him.

The King said to the sage: "I am indeed 

blessed that you should attend my yaga."

Pointing to Rama and Lakshmana,

Janaka asked Viswamitra: "Who are these 

god-like youths who resemble each other,

and carry their weapons with the proud

ease of seasoned warriors? Who is the

happy father of such sons?"

Viswamitra told Janaka that they were

the sons of King Dasaratha. He narrated

how they had protected his own yaga and 

destroyed the Rakshasas. "They have

come here," the sage went on, "to see, if 

they may, the great bow of Rudra in your 

palace." Janaka understood the meaning

of Viswamitra's words and rejoiced.

The King said: "The prince is welcome 

to see the bow. If he can string it, he will

win the hand of my daughter. Many were 

the princes who saw this bow and went

back, unable even to move it. I shall

indeed be happy if this prince succeeds

where so many have failed and I am

thereby enabled to give Sita to him."

Janaka then ordered his men to bring

the bow which was kept safe and sacred in 

an iron box. It was brought on an eight￾wheeled carriage and dragged like a

temple chariot during a festival.

"Here," said Janaka, "is Rudra's bow

worshipped by me and my ancestors. Let

Rama see this bow."

After obtaining permission from

Viswamitra and the King, Rama stepped

out to the iron bow-case, while all eyes

were fixed on him in wishful expectation.

Opening the box, he lifted the bow

effortlessly, as if it were a garland of

flowers, and resting one end of it against

his toe, he bent and strung it and drew the 

string back with such irresistible force that 

the mighty bow snapped with a crash like 

a clap of thunder. And there fell from

heaven a shower of flowers.

Janaka proclaimed: "My beloved

daughter shall be wedded to this prince."

Viswamitra said to Janaka: "Send your 

swiftest messengers to Ayodhya to give

the news to Dasaratha and invite him."

Janaka's messengers reached Ayodhya

in three days. They met King Dasaratha

who was seated, like Indra, on his throne 

and said to him: "Sage Viswamitra and

King Janaka have sent you happy news.

Your son who came to Mithila has won

our princess Sita by fulfilling the

condition set for her hand. He not only

strung Rudra's bow which none before

could so much as lift, but bent its tough

pride till it broke. King Janaka eagerly 

awaits your gracious consent for the

marriage, and your presence and blessing

at the festivities. May it please you to start 

for Mithila with your retinue."

Dasaratha, who had sent Rama with

Viswamitra with a heart not altogether

free from anxiety even after the sage's

assurance, was thrilled with joy on

hearing this good news. He told his

ministers to prepare for the journey and

left the very next day for Janaka's capital.

Dasaratha and his following reached

Mithila and were received with

enthusiastic welcome. Exchange of

courtesies over, Janaka said to Dasaratha:

"My yaga will soon be over. I think it best 

to have the marriage as soon as the yaga is 

over," and sought his approval. 

Dasaratha replied: "You are the bride's

father and it is for you to order things as 

you wish."

At the appointed day and hour, giving

away the bride, King Janaka said to

Rama: "Here is my daughter, Sita, who

will ever tread with you the path of

dharma. Take her hand in yours. Blessed

and devoted, she will ever walk with you 

like your own shadow. " 

      Iyam Sita mama suta

sahadharmacharee tava

prateechchha chainam bhadram

te

panim grihneeshwa panina

pativrata mahabhaga

chhayevanugata sada.

This sloka is uttered in every wedding

in upper India when the bride is given

away.

Thus was Sita given by Janaka to

Rama. Were they not Eternal Lovers

reunited? And so they rejoiced like lovers 

come together after separation.