Chapter 254
"Now, remember these words, and raise your bow once more, Rama."
Seeing Kavia's expression, Rama felt it would be too Evil to show him Sorrow, so he could only nod slightly, turn around, and pick up his bow again to aim for the bullseye.
Rama took a deep breath, locked his gaze on the target, and, as Kavia had instructed, tried to become the medium for the arrow.
Kavia, sensing some pressure from Rama, continued speaking:
"First, you must be certain that the arrow will hit the target; only then can it be accomplished. Don't think about the archer; focus on the target."
The sounds he made blended seamlessly with nature.
Then.
With a "whoosh," Rama's arrow flew from the bowstring, hurtling towards the target and ultimately hitting the bullseye.
Although Rama was reluctant to show too much excitement about his success, he was still quite young, and thus his face was filled with joy. He even couldn't help but look at the arrow that had hit the bullseye and murmur:
"Unbelievable, absolutely unbelievable..."
Seeing Rama's reaction, Kavia gazed at the red-haired boy with his ever-calm blue eyes.
In fact, during the years he was performing his duties Proxy God of Love, he met Vishnu's Sixth Avatar, Parashurama, and would occasionally communicate with him. For some reason Parashurama kept trying to take Kavia as his disciple, but Kavia naturally refused.
In fact, apart from Rama, Kavia had already met other people, such as Sita, Hanuman, and the four brothers of Rama's family as well.
"Stop daydreaming, Rama."
Kavia walked up to Rama and came into his line of sight, and Rama, who had come to his senses, shone with a light that seemed to draw people in.
"I didn't expect you to be so strong, Jia..."
Rama narrowed his eyes and smiled slightly.
Looks like I need to work harder too.
"Yes, you really need to work harder."
Since the Rishi Vishwamitra have also arrived, it means that the story of the Ramayana has officially begun. Rama and his brother Lakshmana leave with the Vishvamitra, first killing Tataka. The Vishvamitra give Rama weapons and teach him martial arts. They hold a sacrifice and kill Maricha and Subahu. After the sacrifice is completed, Rama finally marries Sita.
This concludes the first chapter, the childhood chapter.
"That's only natural."
Rama was unaware of this, and simply took it as encouragement from his friend, so he raised his head and shouted.
"Well, it's getting late, I should go..."
Just as Kavia was about to turn and leave, she seemed to remember something, patted Rama on the shoulder, and said with a smile.
I don't know when we'll see each other again.
Kavia thought the next meeting would probably be at the time of Sita and Rama's wedding, since the Love God could make an appearance, but given Kama's personality, he would probably let him come instead.
"Next time we meet..."
Rama paused.
It should be soon.
After carefully observing Kavia's expression, the young red-haired boy said this.
"Jia, you'll probably come here often, won't you?"
To Rama's question, Kavia, bathed in the setting sun, answered him earnestly, as if giving him a lesson.
We will meet again no matter what, because... love and the seasons will always be there.
The next day, when Rama learned from his father that he and his brother Lakshmana would be joining the Rishi Vishwamitra to deal with the Rakshasi who had disrupted the Fire Sacrifice, Rama naturally agreed. However, a thought quickly arose in his mind—
I didn't even have a chance to say goodbye to Jia!
However, Rama also knew that he could not delay and allow the Fire Sacrifice of the Rishi Vishwamitra to continue to be affected, after all, he also understood the importance of the Fire Sacrifice.
On his way, Rama looked away from the sky and closed his eyes to reminisce about the past.
Then, Rama seemed to hear the sounds of the distant and nostalgic training grounds of Kavia from yesterday.
"We'll meet again eventually, no matter what, right...?"
Chapter 314 Bow-Fire Sacrifice, First Encounter with the Demon King.
Kavia stood on the rooftop of a building, looking down at the City below. Her blue eyes reflected the clear blue sky after the overcast day and the pristine white earth.
Summer is here, and the warm sunshine shines on every inch of the city of Mithila.
Mithila, located in the region between present-day Bihar, India and Nepal, was the capital of King Chanagat, the Sita of King Janaka, in the Age of Gods.
Under the sunlight, the streets of Mithila are wide and clean, paved with smooth stone slabs.
Shops line both sides of the street, displaying a variety of exquisite goods. Residents are dressed in gorgeous clothes, their faces beaming with happy smiles. The air is filled with the fragrance of flowers and spices, and daily life is full of vitality and prosperity.
Today, because Mithila holds an important place in culture and academia, wise men and scholars come here every year to discuss matters, and the venue is the palace of King Janaka.
The magnificent architecture, the palace decorated inside and out with various precious gems and exquisite carvings, the courtyards and gardens full of flowers, the lotus flowers blooming in the ponds, the surrounding scenery is intoxicating.
Kavia stood on the roof of a building, looking down at everything around her.
The era has fallen into darkness, transitioning from the Satya Yuga time to the Treta Yuga time. The glory of the past can no longer be reproduced, and all that remains in the present is surging Desire. However, the Dharma still persists, as evidenced by the existence of the city of Mithila.
But as time goes on, when things reach Dvapara Yuga Kali Yuga, only cities that gather large numbers of displaced people exist, fighting for the harsh reality. The simplest example is money.
"So why did I have to come along? You could have just left this to me."
Kama, standing beside Kavia, had only one thought: why did he have to come and witness this 'Bow-Fire Sacrifice' that King Janaka was holding for his daughter Sita? Although it was supposed to be a testament to love, he had been resting for so many years and really didn't want to see it at all.
"If your brain has been idle for too long, it's good to get out and explore more."
The Bow-Fire Sacrifice is a Ritual performed by King Janaka in the Ramayana for his daughter. He possessed a Divinity and enormous divine bow, which was Shiva's bow. King Janaka decided to bind Sita's marriage to this divine bow, meaning that only the person who could draw this enormous divine bow would be qualified to marry Sita.
Therefore, King Janaka sent an invitation through the Kingdom's envoys, summoning princes from all over the land and the king to attend Sita's Ritual. Many suitors came from all directions, hoping to win Sita.
The Bow-Fire Sacrifice can also be seen as Swayamvara Ritual, a wedding Swayamvara Ritual in ancient India Ritual that usually appears in India epics and legends. It is generally believed that this Ritual grants the princess the right to choose her own husband, symbolizing the spirit of female autonomy and free choice.
"You have the nerve to say that? Anyway, it's all because of that Rama, well, in short, it's all because of him."
Kama said, slightly annoyed, "Love God has heard several things from Kavia about Rama."
For example, before Rama came to participate in Sita's Bow-Fire Sacrifice, he and his Rishi Vishwamitra went to a Purified Grove where the Rishi Gautama and his wife Ahalya lived. Because he was worried about Gautama's Rishi, Indra, the Heavenly Emperor of Rishi, disguised himself as Gautama to deceive her and have relations with her. In a fit of anger, Gautama turned his lover into stone.
Indra's defilement of Ahalya was already unjust, but the Rishi Gautama committed an even greater injustice. His asceticism could have benefited the world, yet he failed to apply it to his personal life. Ahalya was innocent, yet she still received punishment from her lover...
Knowing that this was completely unreasonable, Rama used his power to free Ahalya.
Kama god of Love God, didn't find it too bad, but Rama was somewhat annoyed by the title "Ideal Man" that came about because of it, and the fact that it came from Kavia's mouth made him even more annoyed.
In Indian Mythology, the "Ideal Man" is the 'ideal person,' considered the embodiment of morality, spirituality, and social virtue. They are individuals who demonstrate exceptional Wisdom, courage, and a strong sense of justice, while also possessing great compassion and selflessness. Those who hold this title include, but are not limited to, Rama, Krishna, Shakyamuni, Bhishma ...
"Because Rama is the key to resolving Ravana."
Kavia spoke slowly, as if deep in thought.
"Moreover, this era needs him to become Righteous King."
"Ravana, this King of the Rakshasas, is arrogant and looks down on people, yet he suffers the consequences..."
Kama clicked his tongue slightly.
"Because it was caused by the times."
"..."
Just as he was about to say something, Kama suddenly held his breath.
Love God suddenly felt as if a blazing sun stood between the two of them.
It was a phenomenon that could only be described as terrifying. Kama sensed that something else had mixed in with the area around Kavia, and that it was beginning to deteriorate.
"Rama has arrived."
Kavia continued.
At this time Rama and his brother Lakshmana left with their Vishvamitra, killed Tataka, Vishvamitra gave Rama weapons and taught him martial arts. They held a sacrifice and killed Maricha and Subahu.
As he spoke, apart from King Janaka meeting Rama, the air around him continued to gradually change.
The air creaked and groaned, rubbing and twisting.
It was like a calamity, like a plague, like Hell.
Even the scenery in Kama's eyes began to thicken and distort. The scorching air seemed to be eroding the Himalayas Mountains like a deadly poison from afar, creating a distortion. Only a crimson impulse filled the interior of the Holy Mountain.
"... yes."
Kama replied nonchalantly.
The Love God probably felt that this was not something worth hiding, and believed it might be a prelude to Kavia's return to the position of 'the Aspected God'.
"Tomorrow morning, Rama and Sita will meet for the first time."
Kavia laughed, whether he was unable to judge or simply felt that this was not something worth hiding, he did not explain the strangeness in his body.
"That is Divinity moment that everyone in the Three Worlds has been eagerly anticipating, Kama, we should make some preparations."
The next morning, in King Janaka's palace, Rama followed the advice of his teacher Rishi Vishwamitra, and went to the garden to pick flowers.
Carried by a gentle breeze, they walked along a tree-lined slope. As the red-haired boy searched among the flowers, he unexpectedly spotted a red Rose that had fallen from the sky.
The flowers fell straight down from the azure sky, not fast, but very beautiful.
Rama felt an overwhelming emotion that defied words, and instinctively reached out to catch it, but it was too late, Rose fell to the ground.
It landed at the feet of the two people who had just met.
Rama and Sita looked at each other and fell silent.
Meanwhile, Kavia, who was secretly observing from the side, said happily to Kama:
They had never been this close to each other before.
"... You really care, but to Rama, Sita is his words, his eyes."
Kama responded calmly with his own understanding of the duties of the Love God.
While Rama and Sita's chance encounter was inevitable, it was indeed conceived by Kavia.
The reason why the Love God is so indifferent is probably because he wants to be superior to Kavia. In the Love God's eyes, he is the rightful Love God, and no matter what, Kavia is just his adopted son and only Proxy God of Love. In any case, Gavia can't possibly surpass him in this aspect.
"Language is not the eye, Kama."
Kavia paused, her gaze still fixed on Rama and Sita, "And eyes are not language, language is insufficient to describe what I saw. Rama was here, Sita was there, and when I saw them, every flower cried out; I have not lived in vain."
"Of course I heard that too!"
Kavia did not refute Kama's interruption, but simply continued to smile and say:
"Sita, as an incarnation of Lakshmi, was exceptionally beautiful, so radiant that all things were drawn to her, like a beautiful little deer."
Kama naturally understood that Sita Kavia said about Sita was reasonable and undeniable.
It just feels pretty bad, and even knowing why makes me feel just as frustrated.
Then, Kavia turned her gaze to Kama:
"But that's because Kama, the Love God, changed the laws of this world just to witness the 'love' of Rama and Sita, isn't it? The two gazed at each other with deep affection; the girl's face was like the bright moon, and the boy's eyes were like the Sun. At the moment of their meeting, their hearts were filled with joy. No reason was needed for emotions to arise; they were already captivated by each other."
At that moment, Sita's maidservant and Rama's brother Lakshmana witnessed this scene and couldn't help but smile slightly.
"Princess Sita, it's time to go."
"Elder brother."
The shouts brought them back to their senses, and they could only say goodbye. Although their meeting was brief, it was enough to leave a deep impression on each other.
At noon, the brilliant sunlight shone on the square of the King Janaka Royal Palace. The air was filled with the fragrance of Sandalwood and flowers. The surroundings were decorated in a magnificent manner, with golden colonnades gleaming in the sunlight and colorful curtains fluttering gently in the breeze.
Fresh flower petals were scattered across the marble-paved square, forming a path leading to the high platform.
The Bow-Fire Sacrifice has officially begun.
As each invited king entered the square, King Janaka would nod and clasp his hands together in greeting, and the arriving kings would reciprocate with the same gesture.
Sita sat quietly beside his father King Janaka.