A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.1474

c5.1474

The four brothers grew up together at Ayodhyā, but while they were yet striplings, the sage Viswāmitra sought the aid of Rāma to protect him from the Rākshasas. Dasa-ratha, though very unwilling, was constrained to consent to the sage’s request. Rāma and Lakshmana then went to the hermitage of Viswāmitra, and there Rāma killed the female demon Tārakā, but it required a good deal of persuasion from the sage before he was induced to kill a female. Viswāmitra supplied Rāma with celestial arms, and exercised a considerable influence over his actions. Viswāmitra afterwards took Rāma and his brothers to Mithilā to the court of Janaka king of Videha. This king had a lovely daughter named Sītā, whom he offered in marriage to any one who could bend the wonderful bow which had once belonged to Siva. Rāma not only bent the bow but broke it, and thus won the hand of the princess, who became a most virtuous and devoted wife. Rāma’s three brothers also were married to a sister and two cousins of Sītā.