Part - 5

Ram And Lakshman Follow Viswamitra

"What can I do for you?

Tell me, I shall obey you,"

So said King Dasaratha

To the Sage Viswamitra.

"Send Rama to the forest

I want him there just

To protect my sacrifice

From outside interference.”

"The demons pour dirty blood,

With flesh in the fire, it’s no good.

In weapon fight, I shall train Rama,

Have no fears," said Viswamitra.

Dasaratha was in a dilemma,

Whether to send his son, Rama,

Or to face a still more danger,

From out of the sage’s anger.   

"Don't go back on your word.

What a tall promise I heard?

Fulfill what you said, unasked,"

The adamant sage almost roared.

Vasishta interfered and said,

"Oh, King, for you, it's no good

To go back on a given word,

Send Rama boldly to the wood."

"You aren't perhaps aware,

Viswamitra's divine power,

A master of every weapon,

Sure of killing anyone."

On the advice of Vasishta,

He sent Lakshman and Rama,

To follow the majestic sage,

Despite their tender age.

The entire city watched,

As the two cubs marched,

Behind a lion, in a triangle,

Towards the deep jungle.

 ~Rajaram Ramachandran~

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