chapter 3- the swayamvar

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The next morning Lashman was up and helping with some chores. However, he couldn't get Urmila out of his head. Shaking off his thoughts, Lakshman walks around the ashram to see if he could help anyone there.

As he was walking around Vishwamithra came up to him to ask "Lakshman, where is your brother? We have to leave in a moment so we could get a darshan of Mahadev's bow."

"I'm not sure Gurudev, I haven't seen him since breakfast. I'll go look for him quickly and tell him that we have to leave to go to the Swayamvar," Lakshman replies leaving to go find his brother.

After looking on the grounds of Mithila, Lakshman finds his brother on a field doing some farm work.

Lakshman couldn't help but think 'Bhaiya always wants to help others. He thinks more of others than himself. He will be a brilliant king one day, better than Pitaji.'

Approaching his brother Lakshman says "Bhaiya, Gurudev says we have to leave now in order to get to the Swayamvar."

"I'm coming Laksh. Let me tell the lady I was helping that I am needed elsewhere." Ram replies turning to where the lady that he was helping earlier was but soon realising that she and a couple of the other citizens came to gather around them.

"I am so sorry Rajkumar Ram. I had thought that you were a commoner and told you how to do farm work. I beg for your forgiveness," The woman says tears in her eyes

"I had asked you if you needed help, Ma, hence you do not need my forgiveness. After all, it is the duty of a mother to teach those she considers a son the skills that they need to survive. Thank you for teaching me how to plough a field, I am currently needed elsewhere, and my Gurudev is asking for me. I shall take your leave and return when I next can to learn more," Ram says and leaves with his younger brother.

Meanwhile, in the palace, the Swayamvar was in full swing. The royal family and many of Mithila's citizens watch to see who will become the husband of their beloved princess. As they were watching Urmila couldn't help but wonder who would lift the bow. It was no easy feat. It took a hundred men to bring the bow into the hall that they were in now.

Leaning toward her sister Urmila asks "Who do you think will lift the bow of Mahadev?"

"Whoever has the strength, virtue and the heart of gold Urmi. The chances are 1 in a hundred," Sita replies and turns her

While all of the suitors came to lift the bow, Urmila couldn't help but feel anxious about it. She wanted Rajkumar Ram to lift the bow and win the hand of her older sister. From the time she talked to him in the mandir and saw him interact with the citizens of Mithila, she had seen nothing but kindness in the way he spoke or anything else.

As Urmila lost her train of thought she turned to focus on what was happening. Lankathapti Ravan had insulted her father and oldest sister. She was disgusted, the people of the kingdom were shouting their objections to the king's words. The suitors were starting to treat Sita as an object and saying that they were going to fight and whoever won was going to get Sita's hand in marriage.

Seconds upon entering the Swayamvar hall Bharamrishi Vishvamitra says "You may fight. But against two of my students. Sons of Maharaj Dashrath, princes of Ayodhya, the students of Maharishi Vashisht, freer of mata Ahalya and killers of the demoness Tataki."

From behind him both Lakshman and Ram step out. Each and every person in the hall put his sword down, knowing that the Bharamrishi was known to have an extreme rage. Even though the kings and princes present put their swords down they were saying insulting things to the king and how there is no one worthy of lifting the bow of Mahadev.

Unable to control his anger upon hearing that there was no one worthy of lifting the bow of Mahadev Lakshman brings out his bow and arrow and says "You people are insulting such a great king you should be ashamed of yourselves. More importantly, you said that there is no one worthy of lifting Mahadev's bow. ALL OF YOU ARE WRONG! Mere bade bhaiya Ram will be able to do it."

"Lakshman calm down," Ram says with a serene smile on his face

"What Lakshman said is true Ram. You are capable of Lifting the bow of Mahadev. Lift it and save Janak and his family from this humiliation," Vishvamitra says looking at Ram.

Ram takes the blessings of his guru and goes to the bow. He does three rounds around it and respects it. He finally takes hold of the bow and lifts it up with such ease that everyone watches with their mouths open. Sita is extremely happy that she gets to marry the man of her wish and puts a garland around Ram's neck.

Turning to Janak, Ram says "Rajarishi, please send a word to my parents asking them for their consent for this marriage."

Janak nods happily with his daughter's would-be husband. He heard many things about this prince and now he was witnessing it for himself.

But the happiness was soon gone. Parshuram Prabhu came into the hall and with his thunderous voice he says "WHO BROKE THE BOW OF MAHADEV!"

After a discussion, between the Parshuram Prabhu, Urmila, and Ram. The Rajkumar and Rajkumari are able to calm down the sage and get his blessings.

"Can I call you Bhaiya?" asks an innocent Urmila to Ram after Parshuram Prabhu leaves.

Ram nods and Urmila is extremely happy.

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hope you guys enjoy this chapter more chapters to come

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