Q.- In the Ramayana ,why does Rishi Viswamitra request King Dasharatha to send Rama with him to his hermitage.
Ans : In Valmiki’s Ramayana Rishi Vishwamitra visits King Dasharatha’s court with a divine purpose. He requests the king to send his young son Rama with him to the forest. This request surprises the king, as Rama is still a teenager. However, Vishwamitra’s mission is not ordinary; it is to prepare Rama for his divine destiny — to uphold dharma and destroy evil.
1️⃣ To Protect the Yajna (Sacrifice)
Rishi Vishwamitra was performing a great yajna (sacrifice) in his hermitage to please the gods and establish peace on earth. But his rituals were being constantly disturbed by two powerful demons — Maricha and Subahu, who were sent by Ravana. They used to throw blood, bones, and flesh into the sacred fire, spoiling its sanctity.
Vishwamitra could not fight them himself during the yajna because a sage performing sacrifice must remain calm and pure. Therefore, he needed a brave warrior who could guard the ritual. He asked for Rama because he knew Rama was no ordinary prince but the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, born to destroy evil.
2️⃣ To Teach Rama the True Meaning of Dharma and Duty
Vishwamitra’s request also had a spiritual purpose. He wanted Rama to learn the practical side of dharma (righteousness). In the palace, Rama had received theoretical knowledge, but in the forest, he would experience the challenges of life, courage, and responsibility.
By accompanying the sage, Rama would learn how to protect the innocent, respect the wise, and remain humble while being powerful. Vishwamitra became Rama’s guru and taught him divine weapons (astra-shastra), mantras, and discipline — knowledge that later helped him defeat Ravana and other demons.
3️⃣ To Reveal Rama’s Divine Power
Rishi Vishwamitra knew that Rama was the divine incarnation of Vishnu, but the world did not know it yet. By taking Rama to his hermitage and letting him fight the demons, he wanted to reveal Rama’s strength and divinity.
When Rama killed the demons Maricha and Subahu, all sages and gods praised him as the protector of righteousness. This became the first event that showed Rama’s divine mission to the world — the beginning of his journey as a savior of dharma.
4️⃣ To Prepare Rama for His Future Role
Vishwamitra knew that killing demons was only the beginning of Rama’s greater mission — to defeat the mighty Ravana and restore peace on earth. The sage wanted Rama to gain experience, confidence, and spiritual discipline early in life.Through this journey, Rama learned to balance strength with humility and courage with devotion. This became the first stage of his preparation for future battles and his ultimate duty as the upholder of righteousness.
5️⃣ To Set an Example of Obedience and Respect
Vishwamitra’s request also symbolizes the harmony between the king, the sage, and God. King Dasharatha showed his respect for the spiritual authority of the sage by sending his son. Rama, in turn, obeyed his father and the sage without hesitation, showing the ideal of obedience, humility, and service to dharma.
This episode teaches that both rulers and warriors must honor wisdom and righteousness above personal comfort or fear. It also shows that divine purpose succeeds when spiritual wisdom and royal power unite.
Conclusion : Thus, Rishi Vishwamitra’s request was not a simple demand — it was a divine plan to shape Rama’s destiny. Through this experience, Rama learned the duties of a warrior, displayed his divine strength, and began his mission to destroy evil and establish dharma on earth.
This episode marks the beginning of Rama’s heroic journey and the fulfillment of his divine purpose.
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