24. Sita's Swayamvaram (Devotional)

      Once there was an intelligent sage Gritasmada. One day he had a very big cough and from that came a child whose main ambition was to conquer all the three worlds. That demon worshipped Lord Shiva who appeared before him and granted a boon that three(tri) houses (pura) will be created for him. One on land, another one on sky and last one in between land and sky. After 1000 years, those three will be joined and who ever destroys those three houses with a single arrow, he only can kill this demon. Till then he cant meet his death. With this boon, Tripurasura (who lives in three houses) conquered all the three worlds and gods were waiting for the right time. Once 1000 years passed, all houses joined as one. Gods prayed Shiva to save them who then prepared for battle. He ordered to build a special chariot to executed demon Tripurasura. Chariot was made of earth. Wheel was made of sun and moon. Lord Vishnu himself became arrow of Shiva's arch and the lord Bramha drove chariot. Shiva destroyed all three houses with one arrow and later killed Tripurasura.

      Parashurama was gifted the bow which was used to destroy Tripurasura by Shiva for being a great disciple. Parashurama gave it to King of Mithila, Janaka for safe-keeping. That bow was so heavy that even gods can't lift it. One day Sita was playing with her friends with a ball. After some time that ball rolled under the wooden trolley on which Shiva's bow was kept. Sita could easily move that trolley aside and picked up her ball. Janaka was surprised after seeing this and knew how wonderful Sita was. When Sita's marriage was planned, Janaka announced a Swayamwaram and told that who ever can aim with Shiva's bow will be gifted with Sita. Many princes, who had heard of Sita’s beauty, came to Mithila only to return disappointed. No one could pick up the bow.

      As explained at the end of Story of Ahalya, Vishwamitra was travelling towards Mithila along with Rama and Lakshmana to attend Sita's Swayamvaram. Once they reached, Janaka welcomed them with respect and explained Vishwamitra that he was so sad that he was not finding suitable husband for his daughter as no one was able to aim with Shiva's bow. Then King of Lanka, Ravana arrived there and was so proud that he can lift Shiva's bow very easily as he could lift mount Kailasha where Shiva lives. He tried to lift the bow with one hand but the bow was too heavy for him. He used two hands but failed. Then Vishwamitra sighed Rama to go and try. Rama went to Shiva's bow and bestowed to it. Then he could lift the bow effortlessly and stringed it. As the bow was too old, it broke while Rama was aiming with it. Ravana disappeared with humility. Sita approached Rama and bestowed garland on him.

      Rama's family was called from Ayodhya by Janaka and marriage was celebrated grandly. Rama married Sita and Lakshmana, Bharata, Sathrugna married Urmila, Mandavi and Shrutkirti who were the daughters of Janaka's brother, Kushadhvaja. After marriage, when Dasaratha and others were about to leave with newly wed couples to Ayodhya, sage Parashurama arrived there. He was angry on Rama for breaking Shiva's bow. Janaka and others tried to pacify him but with his anger on kings, Parashurama was uncontrollable. He gave Vishnu's bow which is more heavier than Shiva's bow to Rama and challenged him to aim it. Rama could handle it easily as well. Then Parashurama knew that he is also Vishnu's avatar just like himself. Parashurama's pride was won and he promised Rama that he will return to his hermitage and never interfere with worldly matters.