Bala Kanda, Chapter 11

Dashratha brings RishyaSringa to Ayodhya

Minister Sumantra continued, "oh, the great king, I will further narrate all that has been said by Sanat Kumara, the best one among all deities, kindly listen to these favourable words."

"A king named Dashratha will be born into Ikshwaku dynasty who will be very virtuous, resplendent and truthful one to his vow."

"King Dashratha will befriend the king of Anga and the king of Anga will beget a fortunate girl named Shanta.

The son of the king of Anga, the earlier king of Anga kingdom, will be known as Romapada, or also know as Chitraratha, and the highly renowned king Dashratha approaches Romapada.

Then king Dashratha says to king of Anga "oh, righteous one, I am childless and hence I intend to perform a Vedic ritual. Let the husband of your daughter Shanta, Sage Rishyasringa, preside over that Vedic ritual at you behest, for the sake of progeny in my dynasty.

"On hearing those words of king Dashratha that benevolent soul Romapada, the king of Anga, considers heartily and agrees to send the one who endows progeny by rituals, namely Sage Rishyasringa his son-in-law.

"On receiving that Brahman, Sage Rishyasringa, at the behest of his father-in-law, that king Dashratha gets rid of his febrile condition and will accomplish that Vedic ritual, feeling very felicitous in the depths of his heart.

"That king, the desirer of glory, the knower of virtue and the lord of people, namely Dashratha will be requesting that best Brahman Rishyasringa with his palms adjoined in supplication for the conduct of ritual, for progeny and even for his heavenly abodes, and that king of all the quarters of earth will accomplish those desires from that eminent Brahman Rishyasringa.

"There will be four sons to king Dashratha that abound with valour, enrich dynasty's reputation and they will be renowned among all beings." Thus said Sage Sanat Kumara to other sages.

"This way he that ancient and godly Sage Sanatkumaara, who is also Brahma's brain-child like Narada, said this legend in earlier Divine Era, called krita yuga..." thus Sumantra continued his narration to Dashratha.

" Oh, great king the manly-tiger, he that Sage Rishyasringa be led here on your proceeding in person with staff and transport and on adoring him well personally." Thus Sumantra concluded his narration.

On hearing the word of advise from charioteer, Dashratha became gladsome and made Sumantra to reiterate to that sage also, for his approval, then Dashratha travelled to the place where that Brahman Rishyasringa is, along with the inmates of palace-chambers and ministers too.

On crossing over the rivers and forests slowly and steadily Dashratha entered that kingdom where that eminent Brahman is there.

Then Dashratha saw that best Brahman who he is nearby king Romapada, andwho is resplendent like ritual fire.

Then king Romapada gladdened at heart of hearts paid excellent respects to king Dashratha procedurally and in view of their friendship.

Then Romapada informed the wise sage Rishyasringa about the friendship and relation with Dashratha, and then that sage worshipped king Dashratha in his return.

Thus well received by king Romapada, king Dashratha spent seven to eight days with him, and then spoke this to king Romapada.

"Oh, lord of subjects, your daughter Princess Shanta may go over my city Ayodhya along with her husband Rishyasringa, as oh, king, I am contemplating to perform a great Vedic ritual, indeed." So said Dashratha to Romapada.

"So it shall be" said king Romapada agreeing to their travel with king Dashratha, and addressed these words to that Brahman sage and his son-in-law, Sage Rishyasringa "You may proceed along with your wife."

Then Rishyasringa agreed and replied to the king Romapada "So it will be done" and then having been permitted by the king he set forth along with his wife.

Those valiant kings greeted each other with thanksgiving palm-fold, and in friendship they embraced each other and gladdened.

Then king Dashratha who set forth to Ayodhya bade farewell to his friend king Romapada, and he firstly sent quick-footed messengers to Ayodhya to inform his citizens about his arrival along with Sage Rishyasringa.

"Let the entire city of Ayodhya be well decorated very quickly, let her streets be sprinkled with water and then swept, let the flags of welcome be hoisted.." Thus, king Dashratha ordered messengers that are sent beforehand.

Then on hearing the arrival of their king all the citizens felt very happy and readily performed all those works exactly as ordered by their king.

Then king Dashratha keeping Rishyasringa before him entered the well-decorated city Ayodhya amidst the full sounding of conch shells and drumbeats.

Then all the citizens are very happy on seeing that Brahman, Sage Rishyasringa, who is well honoured and being entered into the city by their king Dashratha, as has been done once by Indra when he entered sage Kashyapa's son Vamana, the dwarfish boy and the incarnation of Vishnu, into heavens, and thus those citizens felt that their human lord Dashratha vies with divine lord Indra.

Dashratha entered the sage into the palace chambers and worshipped him there as ordained in the scriptures, and in bringing the Sage here into his country, king Dashratha believed that his desired is fulfilled.

On seeing her, the broad-eyed Shanta, who came there along with her husband all the ladies of palace derived happiness for the homecoming of their own daughter, as it were.

Shanta thus being admired by all of them, and in an exceptional manner by Dashratha, comfortably resided there along with her husband, the Vedic scholar Rishyasringa.