The Request of Viswamitra

Sri Valmiki

1. Hearing the marvelous words of Dasaratha, the king of kings, the supremely pleased Viswamitra, of luminous resplendence and power, spoke thus.

2. "It is possible only for one like you, o best of kings, of noble lineage, and who acts under the guidance of the great sage Vasista, tospeak such wise and noble words.

3. O best of kings, listen to what i have in my mind and decide on the course of action consistent with the protection and upholding of "Dharma".

4. For preserving Dharma I am performing Yajna.No sooner than I start that, the rakshasas are invading my place to disturb that effort.

5. -7. As and when I perform these sacrifices for the gods, the rakshasas come and disturb them.Many times, I started the Yajna.Immediately, the rakshasas come and cover the sacrificial ground with blood and flesh.Thus disturbed in my attempts, I felt disgusted and discouraged and so I came here.

8. My mind is not inclined to become angry.Cursing is not possible without getting angry.

9. Such is the rigorous ritual restraint on me.With your grace, I can perform the great sacrifice and obtain the reward.

10. I am in distress and deserve to be protected and relieved.I have come seeking refuge. To discard those in distress is not proper for noble people.

11. -12. Your eldest son Rama is a person of great prowess equal to that of a tiger.He is as great a warrior as Mahendra.He is truly a man of might. The young man, with hair flying about his ears, is a brave man of valour.Give him to me (for this purpose).

13. -14. He will be protected by my hidden divine powers.Rama can then kill the Rakshasas.I shall endow him with innumerable protective and powerful weapons.Because of them, he shall be worshipped in the future by the three worlds.

15. Just as the deer and antelopes cannot stand before an angry lion,those Rakshasas cannot dare stand before Rama.

16. Others, except Rama, will not be enthused to engage in battle with rakshasas.Only a wild elephant can dare a lion.

17. -18. The soldiers of Khara and Dushana who are arrogant with might,who are like poisonous snakes, who are with great sin, cannot tolerate and face the shower of arrows of Rama.

19. It is not proper ,o king, to have too much attachment to a son.There is nothing that cannot be given as gift to great souls.

20. I know truly that the rakshasas are as if already killed.You also know as such. People like us, who know truth will never entertain ambiguous and doubtful things.

21. I know about the noble lotus-eyed Rama. Sage Vasista and other knowers of the future also know about him.

22. If you are interested in Dharma, greatness and fame, give what i asked for, the great of yours to me.

23. My Yajna will take ten days to be performed.During this period, the enemies i.e, the rakshasas, who are disturbing the Yajna will be killed by Rama.

24. Give , O Kakutsa,the permission to your ministers and sage Vasista to send Rama with me.

25. -27. Send Rama with me, O knower about time.Do not waste anymore of my time. May you be prosperous.Do not be agitated in your mind.A help rendered in time will be a favour. If done when not needed, even a great help or assistance will be useless.It will not be a favour.Saying thus, Viswamitra of great brilliance kept quiet.

28. Listening to the words of the great sage, the king was silent for a while before giving him a proper reply.People who are intelligent and discriminating will not be happy to hear inappropriate words when their wish may not be fulfilled.