The Sacrifice (2)

Vishnu gently smiled at the gods. He spoke in a voice deep like the rumbling of thunder. "Oh gods, give up all fear. Along with my expansions, I shall soon be born as four sons of Dasarath. I myself will appear as his eldest son, and my personal weapons will appear as my brothers. After annihilating Ravana and his demon hordes, I will remain in the mortal realm, ruling the globe for eleven thousand years."

Lord Vishnu then disappeared and the gods, who felt their purpose was accomplished, left for their heavenly abode. Dasarath sat apprehensively in the sacrificial compound, where the rituals were almost over. If he could not please Vishnu and obtain a son by this method, then surely he would lose the right to retire and wouldn't have a successor. He glanced at the blazing fire as the last offerings were being made. The whole city of Ayodhya sat on their respective seats and silently watched the fire feeding off of the remains of the offerings.

The fire remained a warm orange but buzzed blue for a second, then completely turned gold. Arose from the fire a shining personality. His skin and clothing were all gold and he emanated a golden warmth. In his hands, he held a golden bowl filled with celestial ambrosia. When he spoke, he smiled tenderly... "Oh king, know me to be a messenger of the Lord of all created beings, Vishnu."

Dasarath joined his palms and replied, "Please accept my heartfelt welcome. What shall I do for you, Oh divine one."

"By performing this sacrifice,you have pleased the gods very much. You have received a reward. Take now this ambrosia prepared by the gods which will bestow upon you the offspring you desire. After your wives digest this, you will soon secure four celebrated sons."

The king felt immense joy as he accepted the golden vessel with joined palms. As a mark of respect, teb king walked with folded hands around the messenger, who, having discharged his duty, immediately vanished into the fire that he had come from. After offering his prostate obeisances to Vasishtha, Dasarath left the sacrificial compound with his wives. The king gave half of the ambrosia to Kaushalya, and the other half to Kaikeyi, his youngest wives who was very dear to him. Both the senior queen and the youngest queen gave a part of their share to Sumitra. After eating the ambrosia, they felt within themselves the presence of powerful offspring. Their minds were enlivened by the divine energy of the children inside their wombs, and so they felt elated. Dasarath who had finally attained his goal, felt as glad as Indra, the king of the demigods in heaven.

Having decided to incarnate in Dasarath's family, Vishnu, summoned the gods and commanded them, "Soon my advent upon earth will occur. Assisted by all of you, I will crush the despicable Ravana. Foolishly, that evil being did not ask for immunity from humans or animals, considering both to be entirely powerless in the face of his strength. Oh gods, without leaving your posts universal controllers, you are capable of expanding yourselves onto earth. Therefore, you should appear in the world as powerful monkeys."

Vishnu's plan for the protection of the world against Ravana was unfolding. The gods took birth as monkeys who had strength equal to their godly power. They could assume various forms at will, they were gallant, swift as the wind, highly intelligent and practically invulnerable in battle. The earth became populated with millions of huge monkeys who, in the way of the gods, grew up as soon as they were born. As haughty and strong as lions and tigers, they roared loudly and sprang about fearlessly. They were headed by Vali, the expansion of Indra, and by Sugriva, the expansion of Surya. Fearful in appearance, they thronged the peaks of mountains and resided in great forests. When the travelled in masses, they appeared like masses of thunder clouds moving about on the surface of the globe.