Rama Sees Sita For The First Time

Rama Sees Sita For The First Time

A few days after their departure they entered Mithila, which was decorated and pervaded by a great air of celebration.

Visvamitra immediately led them to King Janaka’s sacrificial arena and they announced themselves. Moments later, Janaka came to receive them personally, accompanied by his most important ministers. He offered a puja to the saint Visvamitra and washed his feet with great humility. After that, they made them sit down. Janaka turned to Rama.

“Dear young prince, do you know the story of Shiva’s bow?”

Rama nodded.

“Yes. Visvamitra told me about it, and I’m actually curious to see it,” he replied.

“This arch is so heavy,” Janaka said, “that even the most powerful kings on earth have not been able to move it. I am determined to give my daughter Sita in marriage to whoever is able to hold it and move the string.”

The king briefly told the story of his daughter’s birth and then sent for her. When Sita entered, Rama saw her and he was stunned. He had heard of her before, but he didn’t expect such a woman. Sita shone with a beauty that was not of this world, but that came from the world where forms have no flaws or limitations. He had never seen such a beautiful woman! In addition to her physical beauty, a profound light of chastity and holiness emanated from Sita making her even more irresistibly attractive.

 Sita looked at Rama, and as soon as she saw him her heart began to beat violently. The prince was wonderful: he had eyes like the petals of lotus flowers, his long black hair that fell down his shoulders, and every feature was a hymn to beauty. As their gazes met, the eternal love that bound them awoke and flooded their hearts. Vishnu and Lakshmi met in another circumstance, in another situation, united by the divine purpose which was the goal of their incarnation. Chastely, Sita lowered her head and blushed. In his heart, she hoped that Rama would try to lift the bow and that he would succeed. Rama contemplated her. She was his eternal companion and he could not look away.

“If you allow me, I would like to see the sacred bow of Shiva,” he said then.

Janaka ordered the bow to be brought into the hall. Shortly thereafter, the weapon was introduced onto a gigantic chariot drawn by many men.

“Look, Oh son of Dasaratha,” proclaimed Janaka. “I repeat the offer that I have already announced to many before you: if you can hold it and fix the rope, I will give you my daughter Sita in marriage.”

Rama looked for Visvamitra’s permission, who smiled and shook his head affirmatively.

The prince approached the arch, looked at it, touched it, offered respectful obeisances, and then grabbed it. Everyone held their breath. And to everyone’s amazement, Rama lifted it up without any apparent effort. On the celestial planets Shiva danced in ecstasy, and all the Devas manifested their joy. Then, to put the string on it, he bent it so forcefully that with a deafening roar the bow snapped in two. All lost consciousness, except the sages who were present, Janaka, Rama, and Laksmana.

With great happiness the king granted Sita to Rama.

 

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