May 30 - Sargas 3 and 4 of Ayodhya Kanda.
Trust Adi-kavi Valmiki to flood us with imagery and emotions on a scale no modern-day Baahubali type VFX can match, just by his quill. My hair stands on end whenever I think of what a culture I belong to. Remember this was all written five thousand years ago and even the most sceptical estimates place the currently available text several hundred years before CE.
As soon. as Dasharatha announces his plans, Valmiki says the assembled citizens folded their hands like lotuses in delighted reverential acceptance.
Dasharatha proceeds to request sages Vasishtha and Vamadeva to get everything ready by the next morning, in the auspicious season of spring (Chaitra) that sees all nature resplendent, for the ceremonies.
An elaborate description of the arrangements made by sage Vasishtha follows. We can see an unbroken tradition in our culture of such auspicious festivities full of ritual, prayer and celebration.
The hall of yajnas and such festivities was got up with precious metals -gold and silver, gems, pooja accessories, herbs, garlands of white flowers, freshly washed exquisite white cloth, chariots, horses, elephants, bulls with gold-covered horns, special fans, umbrellas, a hundred golden vessels of holy water glittering like fire, tiger skin for the seat and so on. The entire city with all important gates and doorways had garlands, incense and perfume. The best of sweet rice pudding and curd rice was prepared for the feast for a hundred thousand brahmins. They would start reciting benedictory verses early morning, being specially seated. Dancers, musicians, and courtesans in all their finery would take their respective places and perform. There would be elaborate prayers and ceremonies of worship in all temples.
The army in their best outfits with long shining weapons would assemble in the fore-yard.
Kings and chiefs from several parts including from outside India were sent for to be present for the occasion.
Satisfied with all the arrangements being made, king Dasharatha sends Sumantra to bring Sri Rama. Sri Rama arrives.
***
गन्धर्वराजप्रतिमं लोके विख्यातपौरुषम् ।
दीर्घबाहुं महासत्त्वं मत्तमातङ्गगामिनम् ॥
चन्द्रकान्ताननं राममतीव प्रियदर्शनम् ।
रूपैरार्यगुणैः पुंसां दृष्टिचित्तापहारिणम् ॥
धर्माभितप्ताः पर्जन्यं ह्लादयन्तमिव प्रजाः ।
न ततर्प समायन्तं पश्यमानो नराधिपः ॥
Beholding Sri Rama arrive, resembling the king of celestials known for their beauty, with his world - renowned valour, long-armed, displaying grand dignity, with the gait of a tusker in musth (a favourite simile among sanskrit poets);
his face radiant like the moon, Sri Rama with his most bewitching form, one to steal the minds and sights of men by his good looks and great virtues - beholding him thus, all those fortunate to see this were like people who had been in the scorching sun now delighting in cool showers.
But king Dasharatha!? However much he feasted on the sight of Sri Rama, he was not satisfied!
***
Valmiki delights in describing how Sri Rama ascended the stairs, reached his father who embraced him in utter joy, and made him take his seat among all the courtiers and kings, Sri Rama looked like Mount Meru illumined by sun's golden rays. He looked like the full moon surrounded by a galaxy of stars.
King Dasharatha now spoke to him:
***
ज्येष्ठायामसि मे पत्न्यां सदृश्यां सदृशस्सुतः ।
उत्पन्नस्त्वं गुणश्रेष्ठो मम रामात्मजः प्रियः ॥
यतस्त्वया प्रजाश्चेमा स्वगुणैरनुरञ्जिताः ।
तस्मात्वं पुष्ययोगेन यौवराज्यमवाप्नुहि ॥
कामतस्त्वं प्रकृत्यैव विनीतो गुणवानासि ।
गुणवत्यपि तु स्नेहात्पुत्र वक्ष्यामि ते हितम् ॥
" Oh Rama, you are my son born to my eldest queen, and have taken after her in all qualities. You have been endowed from birth with so many virtues and you are very dear to me.
"The way all people have developed affection for you by your great qualities, you deserve to be my heir. Therefore you shall be anointed the Yuvaraja (heir apparent) in Pushya yoga tomorrow.
" By your propensities and inborn qualities you are full of humility in addition to all your great merits. Although you are already so virtuous, yet out of my affection and concern for your glory, let me offer you my best advice."
***
King Dasharatha then succinctly instructs Sri Rama in the art of rulership. This is important but I am omitting the details for brevity's sake. Suffice it to say it covers all aspects of economic well-being and military preparedness as well as social concerns.
Sri Rama leaves the king's presence and the people assembled also disperse, feeling as happy as a crowd exiting a stadium after seeing their favourite team win.
The news reaches in no time Kausalya through Rama's well-wishers. She begins in great excitement to prepare gifts of cows and gold and precious gems to be given to all the people tomorrow.
***
The next sarga begins with a change in background score hinting at some not so joyful developments.
King Dasharatha once again sends for Sri Rama. Sri Rama is perplexed and disturbed but comes to the king's private chamber quickly.
Dasharatha tells him, " Oh Rama, you know I have grown old after ruling Ayodhya for a long period of time. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in every way, have done my duty by our ancestors and gods, and now am happy that I have you as a worthy successor. By everyone's concurrence you will be made my heir apparent tomorrow.
"But Rama, there are also ominous portents. Sun, Mars and Rahu are in my birth star and this seems to portend either the king's death or a great calamity. That is why I intend to lose no time in making you Yuvaraja. They say tomorrow is auspicious.
"So Rama, tonight you and Sita should fast and sleep on a bed of darbha grass. Be self-retrained. Make sure you are protected by your well-wishers as many impediments may occur in such situations. Even though Bharata is away, I am going ahead with your consecration. Bharata is very virtuous but even such people may yield to fickleness (stake a claim for the post!?) So anyway please go and do as I say tonight."
Sri Rama then goes to Kausalya. She is praying in her private shrine to Narayana and doing Pranayama. Sita too has been called in and also Lakshmana. Sri Rama tells them of the king's instructions and how he and Sita should prepare for the ceremony.
***
अमोघं बत मे क्षान्तं पुरुषे पुष्करेक्षणे ।
येयमिक्ष्वाकुराज्यश्रीः पुत्र त्वां संश्रयिष्यति ॥
Queen Kausalya tells Rama, "my prayers to Lord Vishnu with the lotus eyes have not been in vain. For this goddess of the kingdom of Ikshwakus will be coming to you and gracing you tomorrow. "
Sri Rama turns to Lakshmana and says,
इत्येवमुक्तो मात्रेदं रामो भ्रातरमब्रवीत् ।
प्रान्जलिं प्रह्वमासीनमभिवीक्ष्य स्मयन्निव ॥
लक्ष्मणेमां मया सार्धं प्रशाधि त्वं वसुन्धराम् ।
द्वितीयं मेऽन्तरात्मानं त्वमियं श्रीरुपस्थिता ॥
After he is thus spoken to by Kausalya, Sri Rama turns to Lakshmana, seated most deferentially, and speaks with a smile on his face: "dear Lakshmana, you shall rule along with me this earth. You are my second soul and you shall enjoy this prosperity and kingship as much as me."
***
॥ श्रीरामजयम् ॥
