Once upon a time, in the ancient land of Bharata, King Dasharatha of Ayodhya embarked on a journey to bathe in the sacred waters of the River Ganga. Accompanying him were his four sons, Rama, Bharata, Lakshmana, and Shatrughna. As they traversed the serene landscape, they arrived at the ashrama of the revered Sage Bharadwaja, nestled in the tranquil forest near the river.
Sage Bhardwaj, known for his wisdom and deep spiritual
insights, warmly welcomed the royal entourage. He invited King Dasharatha and
his sons to rest and rejuvenate in his humble abode. The king and the princes,
weary from their journey, gratefully accepted the sage's hospitality and
prepared to spend the night in the peaceful ashrama.
As the night wore on, the calmness of the forest enveloped
the ashrama. Deep in meditation, Sage Bhardwaj received a divine vision. The
mighty Indra, king of the Devas, appeared before him in his dream. Indra, with
his radiant presence, instructed the sage to bestow a special gift upon Prince
Rama. This gift was no ordinary one; it was a celestial bow and quiver, imbued
with the power of the heavens.
Indra revealed that the bow and quiver were meant for Rama,
the prince destined for greatness. The bow, crafted with divine precision, was
once wielded by Indra himself. The quiver, enchanted with eternal arrows, would
never deplete, ensuring that Rama would always be ready to face any adversary.
Waking from his divine vision, Sage Bhardwaj quietly placed
the bow and quiver near Rama's head, as he lay in slumber. The sage knew that
this moment was of immense significance, for Rama was chosen by the gods to
uphold dharma and protect the righteous.
With the first light of dawn, Rama awoke to find the
magnificent bow and quiver beside him. Intrigued and curious, he turned to Sage
Bharadwaj for an explanation. The sage, with a gentle smile, recounted the
divine vision he had experienced. He told Rama that Indra had entrusted him
with the sacred task of delivering these divine weapons to him.
"These are no ordinary weapons, dear Rama," said
Sage Bhardwaj. "This bow, once wielded by Indra, has the power to vanquish
any evil. The quiver, blessed by the gods, will always remain full of arrows,
ready for your use."
Rama, with a sense of reverence and responsibility, accepted
the divine gifts. He bowed to Sage Bhardwaj, expressing his gratitude for the
sage's kindness and the trust bestowed upon him by the gods. This moment marked
the beginning of Rama's journey towards fulfilling his destiny, armed with the
divine bow and quiver that would aid him in his righteous path.
The sage's ashrama, once a simple abode, became a sacred
landmark, known for the divine encounter between the prince and the celestial
weapons. This story of Sage Bhardwaj gifting the bow and quiver to Sri Rama,
under the guidance of Indra, was passed down through generations, inspiring
countless tales of bravery, virtue, and the triumph of good over evil.
This version of the story is found in the Bengali Krittibasi Ramayana.