Vishvamitra Ashrama

Author:Laxman Burdak, IFS (R)

---

Vishvamitra Ashrama (विश्वामित्र आश्रम), the hermitage of Vishvamitra, is said to be located in Buxar region of Bihar. Vishvamitra dwelt in this Shaiva hermitage also called Siddhashrama. It was here that Rama had killed the Rakshasas Maricha and Suvahu.

Variants

• Vishvamitra-Ashrama विश्वामित्र-आश्रम (AS, p.864)
• Siddhashrama (सिद्धाश्रम)

Rama's Journey to Vishvamitra Ashrama

Sister Nivedita and Anand K. Coomaraswamy mentions the story of Rama's journey to Vishvamitra-Ashrama.....

The four sons of Dasharatha grew up to early manhood, excelling all in bravery and virtue. Rama especially be came the idol of the people and the favourite of his father. Learned in the Vedas, he was no less expert in the science of elephants and horses and in riding cars, and a very mirror of courtesy. Lakshmana devoted himself to Rama's service, so that the two were always together. Like a faithful shadow Lakshman followed Rama, sharing with him everything that was his own, and guarding him when he went abroad to exercise or hunt. In the same way Satrughna attached himself to Bharata. So it was till Rama reached the age of sixteen.

Now there was a certain great rishi named Vishvamitra, originally a Kshatriya, who by the practice of unheard-of austerities had won from the gods the status of brahma-rishi. He dwelt in the Shaiva hermitage called Siddhashrama, and came thence to ask a boon from Dasharatha. Two rakshasas, Maricha and Suvahu, supported by the wicked Ravana, continually disturbed his sacrifices and polluted his sacred fire; none but Rama could overcome these devils. Dasharatha welcomed Vishvamitra gladly, and promised him any gift that he desired ; but when he learnt that his dear son Rama was required for so terrible and dangerous a service, he was cast down, and it seemed as though the light of his life went out. Yet he could not break his word, and it came to pass that Rama and Lakshmana went away with Vishvamitra for the ten days of his sacrificial rites. But though it was for so short a time, this was the beginning of their manhood and of love and strife.

Vashishtha cheered Dasharatha's heart, assuring him of certain victory for Rama. So, with his father's blessing, Rama set out with Vishvamitra and his brother Lakshman.

---

Myths and Legends of the Hindus & Buddhists: End of page 27

---

A cool breeze, delighted at the sight of Rama, fanned their faces, and flowers rained down upon them from the sky. Vishvamitra led the way ; the two brothers, carrying their bows and swords, wearing splendid jewels and gloves of lizard-skin upon their fingers, followed Vishvamitra like glorious flames, making him bright with the reflection of their own radiance.

Arrived at the [[hermitage, Vishvamitra (Vishvamitra-Ashrama) and the other priests began their sacrifice ; and when the rakshasas, like rain- clouds obscuring the sky, rushed forward in horrid shapes, Rama wounded and put to flight Maricha and Suvahu, and slew the others of those evil night-rangers. After the days of sacrifice and ritual at Siddhashrama were over, Rama asked Vishvamitra what other work he required of him.

Rama's marriage with Sita, the Daughter of Janaka

Sister Nivedita and Anand K. Coomaraswamy mentions the story of Rama's marriage with Sita, the Daughter of Janaka.....

After the days of sacrifice and ritual at Siddhashrama were over, Rama asked Vishvamitra what other work he required of him. Vishvamitra replied that Janaka, Raja of Mithila, was about to celebrate a great sacrifice. " Thither," he said, "we shall repair. And thou, O tiger among men, shalt go with us, and there behold a wonderful and marvellous bow. This great bow the gods gave long ago to Raja Devarata; and neither gods nor gandharvas nor asuras nor rakshasas nor men have might to string it, though many kings and princes have essayed it. That bow is worshipped as a deity. The bow and Janaka's great sacrifice shalt thou behold."

Thus all the Brahmans of that hermitage, with Vishvamitra at their head, and accompanied by Rama and Lakshman, set out for Mithila; and the birds and beasts dwelling in Siddhashrama followed after Vishvamitra, whose wealth was his asceticism. As they went along the forest paths Vishvamitra related

---

Myths and Legends of the Hindus & Buddhists: End of page 28

---

ancient stones to the two brothers, and especially the story of the birth of Ganga, the great river Ganges.

Janaka welcomed the ascetics with much honour, and appointing them to seats according to their rank, he asked who those brothers might be that walked amongst men like lions or elephants, godlike and goodly to be seen. Vishvamitra told King Janaka all the history of Dasharatha's sons, their journey to Siddhashrama and fight with the rakshasas, and how Rama had now come to Mithila to see the famous bow.

Next day Janaka summoned the brothers to see the bow. First he told them how that bow had been given by Shiva to the gods, and by the gods to his own ancestor, Devarata. And he added : " I have a daughter, Sita, not born of men, but sprung from the furrow as I ploughed the field and hallowed it. On him who bends the bow I will bestow my daughter. Many kings and princes have tried and failed to bend it. Now I shall show the bow to you, and if Rama succeed in bending it I shall give him my daughter Sita."

Then the great bow was brought forth upon an eight-wheeled cart drawn by five thousand tall men. Rama drew the bow from its case and strove to bend it ; it yielded easily, and he strung and drew it till at last it snapped in two with the sound of an earthquake or a thunder-clap. The thousands of spectators were amazed and terrified, and all but Vishvamitra, Janaka, Rama, and Lakshman fell to the ground. Then Janaka praised Rama and gave orders for the marriage to be prepared, and sent messengers to Ayodhya to invite Raja Dasharatha to his son's wedding, to give his blessing and consent. Thereafter the two kings met and Janaka bestowed Sita upon Rama, and his second daughter Urmila on Lakshman.

---

Myths and Legends of the Hindus & Buddhists: End of page 29

---

To Bharata and Satrughna Janaka gave Mandavya and Srutakirti, daughters of Kushadhwaja. Then those four princes, holding each his bride's hand, circumnavigate the sacrificial fire, the marriage dais, the king, and all the hermits thrice, while flowers rained down from heaven and celestial music sounded. Then Dasharatha and his sons and their four brides returned home, taking with them many presents, and were welcomed by Kaushalya and Sumitra and the slender- waisted Kaikeyi. Having thus won honour, wealth, and noble brides, those four best of men dwelt at Ayodhya, serving their father.

विश्वामित्र-आश्रम

विजयेन्द्र कुमार माथुर ने लेख किया है ..... विश्वामित्र-आश्रम (AS, p.864): किंवदंती है कि महर्षि विश्वामित्र का आश्रम बक्सर (बिहार) में स्थित था। रामायण की कथा के अनुसार इसी आश्रम में विश्वामित्र राम और लक्ष्मण को लेकर आए थे। जहाँ उन्होने ताड़का, सुबाहु आदि राक्षसों को मारा था। इस स्थान को गंगा, सरयू संगम के निकट बताया गया है- 'तौ प्रयान्तौ महावीयौ दिव्यां विपथगां नदीम्, दद्दशास्ते ततस्तत्र सरय्वाः संगमे शुभे, तत्रा श्रमं पुण्यमृषीणां भावितात्मनाम्।'वाल्मीकि रामायण, बालकाण्ड 23,5-6-7. संगम के निकट गंगा को पार करने के पश्चात् उन्होने भयानक वन देखा था, जहाँ राक्षसी ताड़का का निवास था। वह वन मलद और कारुष जनपदों के निकट था। विश्वामित्र के आश्रम को सिद्धाश्रम भी कहा जाता था।