||Sri Ram Jayram Jaya Jaya Ram||

Chapter -90 – Dhoha

The disappointment of King Janaka 

The female attendants of Devi Sita brought her into the middle of the Yagashala, she was attired in magnificent garments, Jagathjanani was stunningly gorgeous and beyond description. She was adorned in various gem decorated exquisite ornaments all over the body; every part of her limb was carefully decorated by her attendants. The male and females assembled in the Hall were astounded watching the mesmerizing beauty of Devi Sita, deities produced the sounds of Dhundhubhi, Apsaras sung beautifully and showered flowers upon her. Devi Sita was holding most attractive Jayamala in her lotus-like hands, she passed a fleeting look at the Kings assembled, her eyes were anxiously searching for Rama, all the Kings were enticed watching the splendor of Devi Sita, she located Rama and Lakshmana seated near Sage Vishwamithra, her eyes fallen at him like she has found her long-cherished gem. Devi Sita became shy watching her preceptors and a huge crowd of the people of Mithila, she locked her heart in the thoughts of Rama and looked at her female attendants.

The people assembled were forgot to shut their eyes watching the loveliness of Devi Sita and handsomeness of Rama, they were embarrassed could not speak a word. They prayed to Lord Bhrama “ Oh! Shrishtikartha, kindly remove the stubbornness of Janaka and give a fine intellect to think like us, let him leave all his promises and give Devi Sita as wedded wife to Rama. Then the whole world will praise him, and this decision would be supported by the whole world. If he is too firm in his promise then he will regret it in the future. The dark cloud complexioned Rama is the perfect groom for Devi Sita, everyone supports the very idea.” King Janaka invited his ministers, they praised the clan of Janaka and he advised them to publicly announce his promise. They returned to perform their duties, they were not at all happy.

The ministers announced “Oh! Kings assembled in the hall, listen to me carefully, we are announcing the promise of the King of Vidheha. The powers of the hands of the King are like Chandra and Shivadhanuss is like Rahu which is too heavy and too hard to fasten.  The illustrious King like Ravana, Banasura have silently returned after witnessing the power of it. Therefore, who fasten the glorious Shivadhanuss in the assembly would attain Devi Sita as his wedded wife and the person would be considered as won over the three worlds.” The kings assembled were extremely happy after listening to the announcement, all were proud of their powers wanted to test their prowess, they were deeply frustrated, tied their upper clothing on the waist and hurried to the Shivadhanuss, they prayed to their beloved deities, they were impatient, looked at the Shivadhanuss with extreme anger, and utilized their all the strength to lift it. Alas! The bow did not move an inch, the intelligent Kings did not even attempt, the dull-minded were rushed to it and returned to their seats with extreme disgrace, the Shivadhanuss seemed to pull out all the prowess of the Kings who tried to lift it.

Ten thousand Kings collectively went to lift the Shivadhanuss but failed miserably. In this way, the efforts of the Kings assembled were became futile, the Shivadhanuss did not move an inch like the chaste woman who does not heed to the words of a lustful person. All those Kings who approached the Shivadhanuss were faced utter humiliation; they left their fame, prowess, glories at the feet of Shivadhanuss. The Kings assembled had extreme confusion and disappointment among them and returned to their respective seats. The King Janaka watching all these, felt annoyed and spoke “There are a number of Kings and rulers from various Kingdom are present on this occasion, even the deities and Asuras are disguised as King and presents in the hall, and various powerful rulers are present here.  The winner would attain a beautiful bride, immense wealth, and fame, Alas! I wonder Lord Bhrama has not created a human suitable for my daughter, he has not created a human who could fasten the powerful Shivadhanuss and to get married to my daughter. Who will refuse to have the precious gifts? It is disappointing none could fasten the Shivadhanuss, surprisingly none could move an inch from its place, Oh! Brothers, I have to say with extreme grief that there is no valorous human born on this Earth, kindly do not get agitated to my words, therefore all of you can return to your Kingdom, I think my daughter has to spend her life as unmarried, it is her fate, If I give up my promise it would remove all my fortune, I have not seen any other way, I think Devi Sita should spend all her life unmarried. If I have known that there will not be a valorous person in this world, I would not have taken this promise, I will not stand as a joker before all of you.” The women folks and the crowd were sunk in deep sorrow after listening to the painful words of King Janaka. They felt pity for Devi Sita, but Lakshmana who was sitting near Rama could not control his frustration. His bow curved too hard, lips quivered and the eyes shed fire in anger. The words of King Janaka hit like an arrow on his chest, he was scared of Rama, so he could not express his anger out.