Dasaratha’s rejection of Viswamitra’s proposal 1.20.1-27
Dasaratha fell unconscious due to the fear of the demons, in case he conceded Viswamitra’s proposal. He argued that his son was less than sixteen years of age and hence he was unfit to fight. I will fight as a master of the army tells Dasaratha and offers himself. As a young boy and being below sixteen Dasaratha thought Rama was still boyish and that Dasaratha though old is still strong enough to fight. ‘Among my four sons I have the greatest love for Rama’ says Dasaratha. Among the three purusarthas, dharma is involved while fighting against demons. When dharma is forgotten while fighting then the kingdom itself may disintegrate, as there could be no rule of the kingdom without dharma. Therefore, Rama cannot be sent. The king then asks the kind of demons that Rama has to fight in order to stress that Rama is completely unfit for the task. He asks “How formidable are they in their appearance? Who are their guardians? How are they to be countered? How can they be slain”. Viswamitra tells Dasaratha that among the demons Ravana is quite famous. Provoked by Ravana the two demons Marica and Subhahu are causing hindrances to the sacrifice. On hearing the name of Ravana the king lost all hope of fighting against that demon: “Even accompanied by the army and my sons I cannot fight the demons. Maybe, you have the confidence but I cannot send my sons, Rama may appear like a god but he is, in reality, not” said Dasaratha.
Marica and Subhahu born to Sunda and Upasunda through a yaksha are like fire. They had turned demons due to Agastya’s curse.
Rama’s Age 1.20.21
How old was Rama when he accompanied Viswamitra? Was he a little less than sixteen years (as Dasaratha tells Viswamitra ) or was he only twelve years as Marica described him. According to Kataka, ‘only a kshatriya prince who has completed sixteen years can wear armour and fight’. Kataka believes that in order to create fear in Ravana, Marica must have referred to Rama as a twelve-year-old in an exaggerated way.
Dasaratha’s rejection of Viswamitra’s proposal 1.20.1-27
Dasaratha fell unconscious due to the fear of the demons, in case he conceded Viswamitra’s proposal. He argued that his son was less than sixteen years of age and hence he was unfit to fight. I will fight as a master of the army tells Dasaratha and offers himself. As a young boy and being below sixteen Dasaratha thought Rama was still boyish and that Dasaratha though old is still strong enough to fight. ‘Among my four sons I have the greatest love for Rama’ says Dasaratha. Among the three purusarthas, dharma is involved while fighting against demons. When dharma is forgotten while fighting then the kingdom itself may disintegrate, as there could be no rule of the kingdom without dharma. Therefore, Rama cannot be sent. The king then asks the kind of demons that Rama has to fight in order to stress that Rama is completely unfit for the task. He asks “How formidable are they in their appearance? Who are their guardians? How are they to be countered? How can they be slain”. Viswamitra tells Dasaratha that among the demons Ravana is quite famous. Provoked by Ravana the two demons Marica and Subhahu are causing hindrances to the sacrifice. On hearing the name of Ravana the king lost all hope of fighting against that demon: “Even accompanied by the army and my sons I cannot fight the demons. Maybe, you have the confidence but I cannot send my sons, Rama may appear like a god but he is, in reality, not” said Dasaratha.
Marica and Subhahu born to Sunda and Upasunda through a yaksha are like fire. They had turned demons due to Agastya’s curse.
Rama’s Age 1.20.21
How old was Rama when he accompanied Viswamitra? Was he a little less than sixteen years (as Dasaratha tells Viswamitra ) or was he only twelve years as Marica described him. According to Kataka, ‘only a kshatriya prince who has completed sixteen years can wear armour and fight’. Kataka believes that in order to create fear in Ravana, Marica must have referred to Rama as a twelve-year-old in an exaggerated way.