Baal Kaanda
39 - Visvamitra visits king Dasaratha and asks for Sri Rama and Laksmana
Chaupais
Description
All this story has been sung by me; now hear attentively what followed. The great enlightened hermit Visvamitra lived in a forest knowing it to be a sacred spot. There he practised Japa (muttering of sacred formulas) and Yoga (contemplation) and performed sacrifices; but he was much afraid of the demons Marica and Subahu. For as soon as they saw a sacrifice they would hasten to desecrate it to the great chagrin of the sage, who felt disturbed in his mind and thought that the wicked Raksasas could not be disposed of without Sri Hari. The great sage then said to himself, "The Lord has already taken birth in order to relieve the earth of its burden. Let me make the outrage of the demons an excuse of seeing His feet and after due entreaty bring the two brothers here. I will regale my eyes with the sight of Him who is the abode of knowledge, dispassion and all virtues."