Ramayana - the story (pg 3) Training and marriage with his bow
and his wife Sita. Rama's mission in life to fight evil begins
when the Sage and former King Viswamithra takes Rama and his
brother Laxman from their home in Ayodhya to the Sarayu river
for a sacrifice ceremony. This place is haunted by asuras
(demons), but Rama kills the main female demon Thataka with his
bow and arrow and rids the area of other asuras. He is taught by
Viswamithra how to use the asthras - divine weapons or deities
of various weapons. On their travels they survive many
adventures, bring back to life a woman cursed into stone ages
ago and fight some demons. On arrival in the town of Mithila,
Rama falls in love with a woman he sees on a balcony
(fortunately the love on first sight is reciprocated). It is the
King Janaka's foster daughter, Sita, who because of a pledge is
to be married only to somebody who can lift, bend and string the
giant bow of Shiva, which is held in storage by King Janaka.
Many men tried before, but all failed.