Page:Stories of India's Gods & Heroes.djvu/53

Rh riot through the world, might be checked. To them Brahma answered that Ravana had won from him the boon that he should never be slain by god, demigod or demon; but, in his pride, Ravana had asked no safety from man. Thereon came Vishnu, the Preserver, and, when all had done him reverence, promised that he himself would become incarnate among men, and that by him in human form the fiend would be overthrown. Loud was the acclaim of the celestials, as the god thus promised, and with hymns of praise they sought to speed the fulfilment of his purpose.

Vishnu then descended to earth, and rose from Dasaratha's sacrificial fire in the guise of a strange monster, huge and black, all maned like a lion, bearing a golden vessel full of liquid. This he bade the king divide between his wives. To Kausalya, as chief queen, was given half; to the other two, a quarter each.

Then in due time were born the promised sons: to Kausalya, Rama, in whom was half the nature of Vishnu; to Kaikeyi, Bharat, who had a quarter of the divine nature; while to Sumitra came twins, Lakshman and Satrughna, who divided the remaining quarter between them. These children were born in an auspicious season, and grew up noble in body and well trained in every branch of the warrior's art and learned, also, in the study of the Vedas.

The lads grew and throve apace, and in due time came the days when their sire must needs take thought for their marriage. At this season came the