Seeta grew as beautiful as the moon. Many princes had their eyes on her. That’s why king Janaka was worried about her. Once, Seeta lifted the unique ‘Pinaka’ bow given by Shiva. Thereafter, king Janaka announced the swayamvara of Seeta.
When, Sage Vishwamitra with Rama and Lakshmana reached Mithila, they were received by king Janaka with great respect and honour. King Janaka took all of them to the hall where many princes and warriors had assembled to fulfil the condition of the swayamvara. A huge bow that had been given by Lord Shiva, was brought to the assembly. As per the condition, it had to be strung to win Seeta’s hand in marriage. Many strong warriors made an attempt but were unsuccessful. King Janaka felt very sad and anxious.
After keeping mum for a few minutes he addressed the gathering thus, “O Princes and Warriors! It seems as if none of you would be able to lift his ‘Pinaka’ bow. I think the whole earth is devoid of brave warriors.”
Hearing king Janaka’s words, Lakshmana got offended. Bowing low to Sage Vishwamitra and Rama he said to king Janaka, “Your cutting remarks have hurt me greatly. With the permission of my guru and brother I can lift this bow like a straw.” Rama calmed his brother down and advised him that it was unrighteous to have his say without the permission of the guru.
Then, Sage Vishwamitra spoke lovingly to Rama, “Arise, Rama. You can put an end to king Janaka’s anxiety by stringing the bow.” Rama rose, and bowing to Sage Vishwamitra and king Janaka, he went to the bow. He bowed low to the bow and lifted it easily. While stringing the bow, it broke with a thunderous sound that echoed all around. Parashurama, the son of Sage Jamdagni, was performing penance at Mount Mahendra. He heard the sound and reached the site promptly. He could run like the wind.
He carried a bow similar to that of Pinaka on his shoulder and his great axe in one hand. Seeing the broken Shiva’s bow, he was greatly offended. He asked king Janaka to present to him the person who had broken Lord Shiva’s bow or he would destroy all who were there in the assembly hall.
Hearing the words of Parashurama all the princes and the warriors began to shudder. Each of them was well aware of Parashurama’s wrath. It was known to all that he had killed all the Kshatriyas on the earth. It was difficult to escape his wrath.
Rama stepped forward and with both palms joined in reverence introduced himself as the one responsible. Parashurama looked at him in disbelief. Lakshmana intervened to ask what was so special about the bow that made Parashurama so angry. Angrily brushing him aside, Parashurama showed Rama the “Sharanga’ bow that was on his shoulder. It was a gift from Lord Vishnu. “If you string this bow, I will admit that you alone have broken Shiva’s bow,” assured Parashurama. Rama took Vishnu’s bow and strung it with ease. But the arrow needed a target; it could not be wasted. Parashurama bowed in all humility and requested Rama to take away all his merit with the force of the arrow, and leave him with his power of travel as he would go away to Mount Mahendra. His work on the earth was over.
After Parashurama had left, Seeta offered the garland of victory to Rama. Messengers were sent to Ayodhya to inform king Dasharatha and the queens. King Dasharatha immediately set off with the queens and his courtiers for the wedding of Rama and Seeta.
When they reached Mithila, king Janaka received them warmly. Seeing the appropriate time, Janaka pleaded with king Dasharatha, “I will be much pleased if my two daughters and my younger brother Kushadhwaja’s two daughters get married to your four princes.” King Dasharatha accepted it with great pleasure. Rama was then married to Seeta, Lakshmana to his sister Urmila, and Bharata and Shatrughna to Mandavi and Shrutakirti (the daughters of Kushadhwaja) respectively.
After the wedding celebrations at Mithila, king Dasharatha returned to Ayodhya with his four illustrious sons and their wives. The city was decorated tastefully to receive the princes and their brides. The joy of the subjects knew no bounds.
