The tale of Asmanjas, the eldest son of King Sagara, is an intriguing narrative found in the Bengali version of the Ramayana. This story weaves elements of devotion, divine intervention, and complex human emotions.
King Sagara's Devotion and Divine Blessing
King Sagara of Ayodhya was a revered monarch, but his reign
was marred by the absence of an heir. Driven by his desire for children, Sagara
decided to retreat into the forests to meditate and pray fervently. His
devotion was directed towards Lord Shiva, the powerful deity known for granting
boons to his devotees. After rigorous penance, Shiva appeared before the king,
pleased with his devotion. Sagara expressed his wish for many sons, and Shiva,
with a knowing smile, blessed him with a prophecy: the king would be the father
of sixty thousand sons. Elated, King Sagara returned to his kingdom with
renewed hope and joy.
The Birth of Asmanjas and the Sixty Thousand Sons
King Sagara had two wives, Sumati and Kesini. In due course,
both queens conceived. Kesini gave birth to a handsome and intelligent son
named Asmanjas. In contrast, Sumati gave birth to an unusual mass of flesh,
from which sixty thousand sons miraculously emerged. Despite the oddity of
their birth, these sons were welcomed with great pride and celebration by the
king.
The Curse of the Devas
King Sagara, overjoyed with his progeny, began to boast
about his sixty thousand sons. His excessive pride and arrogance did not go
unnoticed by the Devas (divine beings), who were irked by his hubris. In their
displeasure, they cursed that Sagara's sons would meet an untimely and tragic
death, casting a shadow over the king's happiness.
Asmanjas' Rebellion and Banishment
As the sons of Sagara grew, they occupied much of the king's
attention. Meanwhile, Asmanjas, the eldest, focused on his education and
spiritual growth. During his studies, Asmanjas realized that Vishnu, another
principal deity in Hindu religion, was the ultimate truth. This profound
understanding inspired him to renounce worldly life and seek spiritual
enlightenment. However, being the eldest son, Asmanjas was expected to stay and
fulfill his duties towards the kingdom.
Frustrated by his circumstances, Asmanjas devised a plan to
liberate himself. He began to behave in ways that would provoke the ire of the
people and his father. He pushed his brothers into ponds and rivers, broke pots
of women carrying water, and set fire to people’s goods. His actions caused
great distress among the citizens, who soon approached King Sagara with their
grievances.
Furious and disappointed, Sagara saw no option but to banish
his troublesome son. Asmanjas, who had anticipated this outcome, left the
kingdom gladly, finally free to pursue his spiritual journey.
The Legacy of Asmanjas
Despite his controversial actions, Asmanjas’ legacy
continued through his son, Anshuman. After the tragic demise of Sagara's sixty
thousand sons, it was Anshuman who embarked on a quest to find them. This
search eventually led to the descent of the sacred river Ganga to Earth, which
purified the souls of the deceased sons, granting them salvation.
The story of Asmanjas reflects the complexities of duty, familial expectations, and the quest for spiritual truth. It highlights the struggles between personal desires and societal responsibilities, and how divine interventions shape the destinies of individuals and their families. The tale serves as a poignant reminder of the virtues of humility, the consequences of pride, and the enduring power of devotion.