“Hearing of the muni’s greatness, patience came to the queen. Then her friends told her of Rama’s feat of slaying Subahu.” (Janaki Mangala, 78)

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मुनि महिमा सुनि रानिहि धीरजु आयउ
तब सुबाहु सूदन जसु सखिन्ह सुनायउ

muni mahimā suni rānihi dhīraju āya’u
taba subāhu sūdana jasu sakhinha sunāya’u

Knowing what we know now, in understanding the lineage, the heritage, and even the hidden identity of the individual in question, it was all so easy. There was nothing to worry about. The wheels of destiny were set in motion many years prior. The leader of Lanka did not stand a chance. But at the time, based on the situation on the ground, in how the ten-headed and dreaded Ravana had risen to and consolidated power, what could an ordinary man really do? On the occasion of Dussehra, we travel back in time a little bit, to when the same hero participated in a contest of strength.

Ravana was also at the contest. He failed. While he had everything going for him in Lanka, he could not lift the heavy bow of Shiva, which was placed in the middle of the arena. It was a sacrifice of sorts. King Janaka had decided that it was otherwise too difficult to find a suitable match for his daughter, who had recently reached the age appropriate for marriage. Named Sita because of the circumstances of her birth, she had once lifted the bow of Shiva, almost accidentally. It was amazing to see. Janaka remembered that incident, and so Shiva, through his bow, became the witness to vouch for the future husband to that beloved princess.

No one could foresee the winner, as He had only recently arrived. It appeared to be an accident. Vishvamitra happened to be passing through the area. The young Rama was not an official participant. Permission had to be requested. Rama was with His younger brother named Lakshmana. Based on etiquette, Rama would make the attempt. Lakshmana would never dream of upstaging his beloved elder brother.

There was a problem; an incompatibility of visuals. A mighty and formidable bow did not match with a youth of delicate features. Such beauty reminded others of the lotus flower, which is known to be soft. This was a contest of strength. The participant had to be vicious. They had to set aside tenderness and care. That was if they wanted any chance of winning.

From the information provided by Goswami Tulsidas, the mother of Sita received a reminder. You see, she learned that this same Rama had recently defeated a wicked character named Subahu. Unlike the contest of the bow, it was an unexpected encounter. Rama did not have time to prepare. He was standing by, like a bodyguard, to protect the yajna of Vishvamitra. The completion usually took place during the nighttime. This was ideal for the intruders, who wanted to spoil the fun. They did not like the brahmana class gaining in strength. When the brahmanas and the cows are protected in a society, darkness cannot stand. Evil forces are forced to flee in fear.

A Rakshasa named Maricha pounced at a moment thought to be opportune. He did not foresee a youth capable of wielding the bow and arrow with such dexterity. Rama did not hesitate; not for a second. He raised the bow, set the arrows and released them. The target was struck. The force was so strong that Maricha got sent back one hundred yojanas, which is roughly eight hundred miles. Maricha was fortunate in that he survived the ordeal.

अवजानन्नहं मोहाद्बालोऽयमिति राघवम्
विश्वामित्रस्य तां वेदिमभ्यधावं कृतत्वरः
तेन मुक्तस्ततो बाणः शितश्शत्रुनिबर्हणः
तेनाहं त्वाहतः क्षिप्तस्समुद्रे शतयोजने

avajānannahaṃ mohādbālo’yamiti rāghavam
viśvāmitrasya tāṃ vedimabhyadhāvaṃ kṛtatvaraḥ
tena muktastato bāṇaḥ śitaśśatrunibarhaṇaḥ
tenāhaṃ tvāhataḥ kṣiptassamudre śatayojane

“Being under the influence of illusion, I underestimated Rama and took Him to be a mere child. Thus I ran towards Vishvamitra’s sacrificial altar. With that, Rama released an acute arrow capable of destroying His enemies. Upon hitting me, that arrow forcefully threw me away to an ocean one hundred yojanas [eight hundred miles] away.” (Maricha speaking to Ravana, Valmiki Ramayana, Aranya Kand, 38.19)

The same was not true of Maricha’s companion. Subahu attacked at the same time. Rama defeated him without issue. This meant that Rama was special. The credit moved up the chain. As the wise statesman from colonial times in America once remarked, honor ascends. If it descends, then it must also divide. That cannot be the case, as then with each division the original honor would lose strength. In the proper understanding, the honor ascending up the chain only grows in stature, with the many people receiving credit.

Rama was taught by Vishvamitra. This means that Vishvamitra played a role in the defeat of Maricha and Subahu. The same Vishvamitra was there in the sacrificial arena in Tirahuta. This meant that when Rama eventually lifted the bow, Vishvamitra received some of the credit. He is an integral player in the divine union of Sita and Rama, which has been celebrated ever since.

Years later, when Rama released the arrow to finally take out the wicked Ravana, the honor again went up the chain. The sage named Agastya received some of the credit. As did the creator, Lord Brahma. The many helpers were there, in the Vanaras from Kishkindha. Lakshmana was there, as well. This was all done for the sake of Sita. We can imagine how amazing these individuals are, as they are eternally celebrated alongside Rama, who is the son of King Dasharatha and an avatara of Vishnu Himself.

In Closing:

Always our protector true,
The slayer of Subahu.

And winning contest of the bow,
As worthy husband to know.

Of Sita most beautiful the princess,
Later Ravana cause of distress.

Relieved by Rama the same,
Credit travelling up the chain.

Categories: dussehra, holiday

Tags: dussehra, feature, hare krishna, poem, poems, poetry, ramachandra viyayotsava