July 7 - Sargas 79 and 80.
When Bharata makes it absolutely clear that he wants to go to the forest, bring back Sri Rama, install him on the throne, and thereafter repair to the forest and live there for fourteen years, his Dharmic resolve is received with universal acclaim. He directs that a major highway is prepared expeditiously so that he can reach Sri Rama's herimitage without delay. He will take the entire paraphernalia for Sri Rama's coronation and be accompanied by the full complement of the army.
The construction of the pathway is described by Valmiki in a most interesting manner.
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On the fourteenth day, ministers and sages surrounded Bharata and implored him to ascend the throne without delay. A kingless kingdom was vulnerable to attack any time. The king was dead and his two elder brothers were in the forest.
Bharata prayerfully circumambulated all the articles and holy water made ready for his consecration. He then said, "it doesn't behove you all wise and elderly advisors to suggest I take the throne in subversion of what is a righteous and time-honoured tradition."
रामः पूर्वो हि नो भ्राता भविष्यति महीपतिः।
अहं अरण्ये वत्स्यामि वर्षाणि नव पञ्च च ॥
युञ्जतां महती सेना चतुरङ्गयमहाबला ।
आनयिष्याम्यहं ज्येष्ठं भ्रातरं राघवं वनात् ॥
क्रियतां शिल्पिभिः पन्थाः समानि विषमाणि च। रक्षिणश्चानुसंयान्तु पथि दुर्गाविचारकाः ॥
"Dear preceptors, ministers and advisors, Sri Rama is the eldest of us brothers and he alone shall be the king. I will go to the forest and live there for fourteen years.
" Please get ready a mighty army with elephants, horses, chariots and foot soldiers. I will go with the army and bring back Sri Rama from the forest.
" Please engage the best architects and masons to construct a major road to reach Sri Rama. They should level the land and make it travel worthy. Let guards and navigation experts travel along."
Those assembled responded most enthusiastically to the idea of bringing back Sri Rama. They said in unison, "dear Bharata, may goddess Lakshmi always be with you and shower her grace for this decision."
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The entire Ayodhya geared up for the project of bringing back Sri Rama. Poet Valmiki describes in considerable detail how they went about the road building.
Surveyors, architects, masons, diggers, mechanics, experts in measurement, painters, strong and able-bodied men for quarrying, everyone proceeded like an ocean- wave full of enthisiasm.
They levelled the earth, cleared bushes and grass, cut down trees where needed, pulverised stones and evened the ground. They planted saplings, dug up new wells, created fresh water bodies in the most suitable spots. They built bridges, they created detours for easier travel and ensured in every way that the path was navigable for the mighty Ayodhya army. High quality sand was used to cover rough spots.
The final result was astounding. Fine roads paved with a mosaic of stones, smooth for chariots. Both sides lined with flower trees and plants. Resting places, camping sites, with every comfort for the contingent.
The Ayodhya army, led by Bharata and accompanied by all important people, started on the journey. The singing of birds greeted the travellers as they proceeded rapidly on the marvellous new road that stood for the united spirit of the nation.
They made rapid progress and reached the bank of river Ganga, full of large fishes.
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॥ श्रीरामजयम् ॥
