Emerging form his daze Dasaratha said," Rama is not even sixteen years of age. Is it possible for him to war with the rakshasas? I have an entire Akshauhini of which I am the lord and master. I shall go to war with those armies for they and not Rama can vanquish the enemy. With bow in hand so long as there is life in me I shall protect the yagna and fight Maricha and Subahu. Rama is but a mere boy of twelve years inexperienced in war and in the wielding of weapons. He is no match for the rakshasas who are notorious for their treachery. Separated from Rama I cannot live! Born to me after sixty thousand years he is my greatest delight, so do spare him" Dasaratha then wanted to know more about the rakshasas,"What are their powers? Who are they and whose sons are they? What kind of bodies do they have and how does one counter their treachery? Neither Rama nor I can match their magical powers, nor ward off their evil because these creatures are justly proud of being invincible. Great Brahmin! How can Rama oppose these deceitful demons?" And Visvamitra said, "Born of the Paulastya dynasty, a rakshasa by name Ravana armed with a boon from Brahma, has been tormenting the three worlds. Strong and mighty he always has bands of his fellow beings with him. He is the brother of Kubera and son of Visravas.Though Ravana is not obstructing my sacrifices Maricha and Subahu do so at his behest." Having heard Visvamitra, Dasaratha said, "I have not the strength to confront Ravana. Visvamitra! You are my guru and my god. Be gracious when even the devas danavas, yakshas or Pannagas can not face Ravana, how can men bear him? And how can Rama, a little boy who has not even heard of wars do so. How can I send my son to fight those monsters that seem to be the very incarnations of death?" When Visvamitra heard Dasaratha, he exploded into a terrible rage, blazing like the flames of a sacrificial fire fed by oblations!
Summary
Emerging form his daze Dasaratha said," Rama is not even sixteen years of age. Is it possible for him to war with the rakshasas? I have an entire Akshauhini of which I am the lord and master. I shall go to war with those armies for they and not Rama can vanquish the enemy. With bow in hand so long as there is life in me I shall protect the yagna and fight Maricha and Subahu. Rama is but a mere boy of twelve years inexperienced in war and in the wielding of weapons. He is no match for the rakshasas who are notorious for their treachery. Separated from Rama I cannot live! Born to me after sixty thousand years he is my greatest delight, so do spare him" Dasaratha then wanted to know more about the rakshasas,"What are their powers? Who are they and whose sons are they? What kind of bodies do they have and how does one counter their treachery? Neither Rama nor I can match their magical powers, nor ward off their evil because these creatures are justly proud of being invincible. Great Brahmin! How can Rama oppose these deceitful demons?" And Visvamitra said, "Born of the Paulastya dynasty, a rakshasa by name Ravana armed with a boon from Brahma, has been tormenting the three worlds. Strong and mighty he always has bands of his fellow beings with him. He is the brother of Kubera and son of Visravas.Though Ravana is not obstructing my sacrifices Maricha and Subahu do so at his behest." Having heard Visvamitra, Dasaratha said, "I have not the strength to confront Ravana. Visvamitra! You are my guru and my god. Be gracious when even the devas danavas, yakshas or Pannagas can not face Ravana, how can men bear him? And how can Rama, a little boy who has not even heard of wars do so. How can I send my son to fight those monsters that seem to be the very incarnations of death?" When Visvamitra heard Dasaratha, he exploded into a terrible rage, blazing like the flames of a sacrificial fire fed by oblations!