Baal Kaanda
39 - Visvamitra visits king Dasaratha and asks for Sri Rama and Laksmana
Chaupais
Description
Hearing this most unwelcome demand the king's heart quivered and the brightness of his countenance faded. He said, "I have been blessed with these four sons in my old age. You have, therefore, made your demand without due consideration, holy sir. Ask of me land, cattle, goods and treasure; I will gladly give all I have without delay. Nothing is dearer than one's body and life; even these I would part within a second. All my sons are dear to me as life; but in no case can I afford to spare Rama, my lord. My lovely boys, who are yet too young, are no match for the most hideous and relentless demons." The enlightened hermit Visvamitra felt delighted at heart to hear the king's reply, steeped as it was in the nectar of love. Then Vasistha pleaded with the king in manifold ways and all his doubts were gone. Most politely he sent for the two boys and pressing them to his bosom admonished them in many ways. Turning to the sage he then said, "My lord, the two boys are my very life. You are their only father now, holy sir; there is no one to look after them."