SRI RAMA NAVAMI SPECIAL & STORIES ABOUT RAMA

The Wedding of Rama

This enchanting tale recounts the marriage of Lord Rama, the prince of Ayodha, with Sita - the princess of Janaka.

The state of Janaka owed its name to King Janaka, a righteous ruler who had a most formidable bow which he received from the great Lord Shiva for once ameliorating the temper of the latter. This legendary bow was so strong and heavy that none could ever lift it alone to bend and string it. King Janaka found it impossible for himself to use this bow. He preserved this great instrument and made daily offerings of flowers to it as a mark of respect for Lord Shiva. He wished that the one who would marry his beloved daughter Sita must bend and sting this extraordinary bow known as "Haradhanu". He made his desire public when Sita attained her marriageable age.

Sage Vishwamitra was aware that Lord Rama was no ordinary human being and he asked the young prince to try his luck. He brough Rama and his brother Lakshmana to the royal palace of Janaka where other suitors had also assembled. None of them were being able to lift the bow, let alone string it.

After sometime, there were none who could try the feat. All princes and kings who boasted of their strength had hung their heads in shame.

Then Vishwamitra indicated Rama to make an attempt. Within no time, the tall prince raised the bow in one hand , and asked Janaka,
"What do you want me to do with it? Shall I string it now?"

A delighted Janaka nodded in assent and Rama attempted to bend the bow in order to tie its ends with a string. But it cracked in two pieces, with such a deafening noise that it seemed a thunder had struck the very place where they were standing. Everyone present there became unconscious, except for Vishwamitra, Rama and Lakshmana.

Almost immediately, flowers were showered on Ramachandra from the heaven. The gods cheered at this remarkable achievement of Lord Rama. With the assent of King Janaka, Sita garlanded the mighty Ramachandra and the lord took him as her wife after an elaborate marriage ceremony.

Never did a couple look so lovely together as Lord Rama and Sita. Valmiki compared the sight of Rama and Sita together to the moon and the brightest star. Everyone present there had regained consciousness and all of them admitted that there was never such a good match. The newly wedded couple returned to Ayodha to be given a warm welcome by King Dasharatha, the royal family and the subjects.