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temple chariot during a festival.
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"Here," said Janaka, "is Rudra's bow
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worshipped by me and my ancestors. Let
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Rama see this bow."
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After
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obtaining
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permission
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from
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Viswamitra and the Ki
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ng, Rama stepped
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out to the iron bow-case, while all eyes
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were fixed on him in wishful expectation.
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Opening the box, he lifted the bow
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effortlessly, as if it were a garland of
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flowers, and resting one end of it against
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his toe, he bent and strung it and drew the
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string back with such irresistible force that
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the mighty bow snapped with a crash like
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a clap of thunder. And there fell from
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heaven a shower of flowers.
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Janaka
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proclaimed:
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"My
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beloved
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daughter shall be wedded to this prince."
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Viswamitra said to Janaka: "Send your
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swiftest messengers to Ayodhya to give
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the news to Dasaratha and invite him."
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Janaka's messengers reached Ayodhya
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in three days. They met King Dasaratha
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who was seated, like Indra, on his throne
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and said to him: "Sage Viswamitra and
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King Janaka have sent you happy news.
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Your son who came to Mithila has won
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our
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princess
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Sita
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by
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fulfilling
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the
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condition set for her hand. He not only
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strung Rudra's bow which none before
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could so much as lift, but bent its tough
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pride till it broke. King Janaka eagerly
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awaits your gracious consent for the
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marriage, and your presence and blessing
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at the festivities. May it please you to start
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for Mithila with your retinue."
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Dasaratha, who had sent Rama with
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Viswamitra with a heart not altogether
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free from anxiety even after the sage's
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assurance,
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was
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thrilled
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with
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joy
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on
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hearing this good news. He told his
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ministers to prepare for the journey and
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left the very next day for Janaka's capital.
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Dasaratha and his following reached
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Mithila
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and
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were
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received
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with
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enthusiastic
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welcome.
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Exchange
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of
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courtesies over, Janaka said to Dasaratha:
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"My yaga will soon be over. I think it best
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to have the marriage as soon as the yaga is
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over," and sought his approval.
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Dasaratha replied: "You are the bride's
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father and it is for you to order things as
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you wish."
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At the appointed day and hour, giving
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away the bride, King Janaka said to
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Rama: "Here is my daughter, Sita, who
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will ever tread with you the path of
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dharma. Take her hand in yours. Blessed
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and devoted, she will ever walk with you
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like your own shadow."
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Iyam Sita mama suta
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sahadharmacharee tava
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prateechchha chainam bhadram
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te
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panim grihneeshwa panina
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pativrata mahabhaga
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chhayevanugata sada.
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This sloka is uttered in every wedding
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in upper India when the bride is given
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away.
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Thus was Sita given by Janaka to
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