DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.638#0458
CHAPTER XXIV
Story of Rama: How Sita was Won
The Poet of the Ramayana—Brahma's Command—Two Great Kingdoms
—A Childless Maharajah—Horse Sacrifice to Obtain Offspring—The Demon
King of Ceylon—Gods Appeal to Vishnu for Help—Birth of Rama and his
Brethren—Stories of Childhood—Vishwamitra takes away Rama and Laksh-
mana—Forest Battles with Rakshasas—Breaking of Shiva's Bow—Sita is
Won—Choice of an Heir—Rama is Favoured—The Hunchback's Plot—
Fulfilment of an Old Vow—Prince Bharata Chosen and Rama Banished—A
Faithful Wife and Loyal Brother.
Now hear the tale of Rama and Sita, which was re-
lated unto the poet Valmiki1 by Narada, the renowned
Rishi. Be it told that when Valmiki came to know of
the adventures and achievements of the great prince, he
went towards the river to bathe, musing the while. It
chanced that two fond herons disported on the bank,
when suddenly a passing huntsman shot the male bird,
which at once fell dead in a pool of blood. Great was
the grief of the female heron, and Valmiki's heart was
so deeply moved by its cries of distress that he gave
utterance to his emotions in a stream of metrical speech.
In this manner was the sloka metre invented. Then
came towards the brooding poet the supreme god Brahma
who smiled and commanded him to celebrate the story
of Rama in the poetic measure which, involuntarily, ne
had invented. Valmiki prepared himself accordingly to
fulfil the desire of Brahma. He sat upon a carpet of
1 Prun. val-mee'kee.
874
Story of Rama: How Sita was Won
The Poet of the Ramayana—Brahma's Command—Two Great Kingdoms
—A Childless Maharajah—Horse Sacrifice to Obtain Offspring—The Demon
King of Ceylon—Gods Appeal to Vishnu for Help—Birth of Rama and his
Brethren—Stories of Childhood—Vishwamitra takes away Rama and Laksh-
mana—Forest Battles with Rakshasas—Breaking of Shiva's Bow—Sita is
Won—Choice of an Heir—Rama is Favoured—The Hunchback's Plot—
Fulfilment of an Old Vow—Prince Bharata Chosen and Rama Banished—A
Faithful Wife and Loyal Brother.
Now hear the tale of Rama and Sita, which was re-
lated unto the poet Valmiki1 by Narada, the renowned
Rishi. Be it told that when Valmiki came to know of
the adventures and achievements of the great prince, he
went towards the river to bathe, musing the while. It
chanced that two fond herons disported on the bank,
when suddenly a passing huntsman shot the male bird,
which at once fell dead in a pool of blood. Great was
the grief of the female heron, and Valmiki's heart was
so deeply moved by its cries of distress that he gave
utterance to his emotions in a stream of metrical speech.
In this manner was the sloka metre invented. Then
came towards the brooding poet the supreme god Brahma
who smiled and commanded him to celebrate the story
of Rama in the poetic measure which, involuntarily, ne
had invented. Valmiki prepared himself accordingly to
fulfil the desire of Brahma. He sat upon a carpet of
1 Prun. val-mee'kee.
874