Vishvamitra and the Sons of Dasharatha

"Send your sons to defend my ashram," Vishvamitra commanded King Dasharatha.
"I have four sons," said Dasharatha. "I'll send two of them with you."
Vishvamitra departed with the two princes. 
"Which way should we go?" Vishvamitra asked them. "One way is safe and short; the other is long and dangerous."
"Safe and short!" replied the elder prince. His brother agreed.
Vishvamitra took them back. "Give me the other two!"
Reluctantly, Dasharatha sent Rama, his favorite son, with Lakshmana.
When Vishvamitra asked the question this time, Rama replied, "Long and dangerous. That is the way of knowledge!" Lakshmana agreed.
Vishvamitra smiled.


Inspired by: Sita: An Illustrated Retelling of the Ramayana by Devdutt Pattanaik
Notes: This story is on p. 35 of the book. Pattanaik notes that the story comes from the Bengali Ramayana of Krittibas Ojha.



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