What was Sri Rama’s state of mind when Vishwamitra came to the palace of king Dasaratha seeking his help to quell the ogres who were obstructing his sacrifice.
Rama had left his house for a long time after he completed his studies. He wanted to see the holy places and temples around the country and sought permission from the king. Having the support of Rishi Vashishtha, the preceptor of the family, the king granted permission and Rama set out with his brothers—Lakshmana, Bharata and Shatrughna.
Blessed by their mothers, the boys set forth. They crossed cities, towns, villages, snow-capped mountains and forests. They went sightseeing and also took holy dips in the rivers, meditating on their banks and making charitable offerings. They visited places such as Prayag, Naimisharanyam, Gaya, Varanasi, Srinagar, Kedarnath and Pushkara. At all the holy places, they bowed down with respect. They visited 64 pilgrimage sites of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. They met many kings who knew the divine truth. Having toured in all directions they returned to their own palace.
When Rama had not yet turned 16, Bharata had left to his grandfather’s home and the other two brothers were in the palace along with Rama. The king saw that Rama’s face was pale. His cheeks had sunken in and hands were thin as he sat in the lotus posture. The boy was silent too. He seemed afflicted by some thought. The two other brothers seeing Rama’s face were also caught by that same depressive syndrome. They asked Rama what his problem was, again and again. There was no reply. “Nothing indeed is my problem, O father,” said Rama, as he escaped from the interrogation. He was silent for most of the time.
Then the king approached sage Vasishta and asked what could be the cause of Rama’s sorrow. The sage said that indeed there was a reason, but advised the king not to worry about it. He added that great souls do not experience anger, sorrow or other base emotions for any ordinary reason.
This is equal to the earth and other elements that do not attain any modification in their natural state of existence without any valid divine reason for their modification and change.
Whether it is earth, water, fire or wind—they do not function beyond the realms of their nature unless the divine controller of the universe allows them to function in that way. When Vasishta said so, there was a rishi called Vishwamitra who came to the palace. He told the king that there were two monsters endowed with magical powers and austerities who were causing disturbance to his yagnas by throwing blood, meat and impure things in the holy fire.
He had taken a vow not to kill anyone who was disturbing his sacrifice and hence approached the king, seeking the help of Rama.
(www.sharanyachaitanya.blogspot.in)