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His life story is told in the
much beloved epic- the "RAMAYANA".
Before the birth of Sri Ram, the world was under
the reign of an evil and fiendish demon king
Ravana. Ravana had pleased Lord Brahma, who
bestowed on Ravana the boon that no God or demon
could kill him. This gave Ravana immunity from
everyone except a mortal man. Thus, to save
the world from evil, Lord Vishnu took birth
as Ram in the city of Ayodhya.
King Dasharath, who ruled over
Ayodhya, had one misery - his three queens bore
him no sons. Lord Vishnu gave them nectar to
drink, and soon the eldest produced Ram, the
next gave birth to Bharat and the third had
twins, Lakshman and Shatrughana. All four of
them became exemplary youths but it was Ram
who grew in grace and virile beauty.
Another king Janak, who ruled
over Mithila in southern Nepal, had a beautiful
daughter called Sita. When she was about sixteen
Janak held a great tournament wherein it was
announed that the one that onw ho could string
the divine bow of Lord Shiva would win the fair
Princess Sita's hand. Princes and kings from
far and wide tried to do it but all failed.
But Lord Ram not only curved the bow but also
snapped it in two. Thus, Lord Ram won the hand
of Sita, who is regarded as the most exalted
epitome of womanhood- beautiful, pious, loyal,
gentle and modest. |