Baal Kaanda
40 - Protection of Visvamitra's sacrifice
Chaupais
Description
At daybreak the Lord of Raghus said to the sage, "You may now go and perform your sacrifice without any fear of molestation." All the sages then started offering oblations into the sacred fire, while Sri Rama Himself guarded the sacrifice. On hearing of it the furious demon Marica, a great enemy of hermits, rushed with his army. Sri Rama struck him with a headless shaft and he fell at a distance of eight hundred miles beyond the sea-shore. The Lord next despatched Subahu with an arrow of fire; while His younger brother, Laksmana, exterminated the demon host. Having killed the demons in this way the Lord rid the Brahmanas of their fear; the whole company of gods and sages offered praises to Him. The Lord of Raghus stayed there a few days more and showed His grace to the Brahmanas. Even though the Lord knew everything, the Brahmanas out of their devotion repeated to Him many legends from the Puranas. The sage then politely said to Him in a pleading tone, "My lord, let us go and witness a performance." Hearing of a bow-sacrifice, the Lord of Raghus gladly accompanied the noble sage. On the way they saw a hermitage without bird, beast or any other living creature. Observing a slab of stone lying there the Lord inquired of the sage about it, and the latter in reply told Him in detail the whole history behind it.