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