'What can I do for you?
Tell me, I shall obey you, '
So said King Dasaratha
To the Sage Viswamitra.
'Send Rama to the forest
I want him there just
To protect my sacrifice
From outside interference.”
'The demons pour dirty blood,
With flesh in the fire, it’s no good.
In weapon fight, I shall train Rama,
Have no fear, ' said Viswamitra.
Dasaratha was in a dilemma,
Whether to send his son, Rama,
Or face still worse danger,
From out of the sage’s anger.
'Don't go back on your word.
What a tall promise I heard?
Fulfill what you said, unasked, '
The adamant sage almost roared.
Vasishta interfered and said,
'Oh, King, for you, it's no good
To go back on the given word,
Send Rama boldly to the wood.'
'You aren't perhaps aware,
Viswamitra's divine power,
A master of every weapon,
Sure of killing anyone.'
On the advice of Vasishta,
He sent Lakshman and Rama,
To follow the majestic sage,
Despite their tender age.
The entire city watched,
As the two cubs marched,
Behind a lion, in a triangle,
Towards the deep jungle.
Rajaram Ramachandran
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/ramayan-part-05-ram-and-lakshman-follow-viswamit/
