July 8 - Sargas 81 and 82.
My apologies. I was carried away yesterday thinking that Valmiki said Bharata and his army arrived at the bank of the Ganga. No. Valmiki was only talking of the army of road builders and the advance party. They completed the construction works up to the bank of the Ganga. The last shloka in Sarga 80 says that
नरेन्द्रमार्गः स सदा व्यराजत ।
क्रमेण रम्यः शुभशिल्पिनिर्मितः ॥
"The royal highway was completed auspiciously by the best of builders and reigned supreme with beauty and orderly design."
Today's reading is therefore actually about the happenings in Ayodhya before they set out to go and meet Sri Rama.
In the morning, as per toyal custom, Bharata is woken up with all pomp and panegyrics fit for a king. He is very unhappy. He says the people are unable to understand his feelings and are simply pressing the case for him to be crowned as if it were a fait accompli, simply a matter of course.
Sage Vaishtha arrives. He takes his special seat in the court and assembles all the important people including ministers, executive chiefs, royals and there is also a mention of Yudhajit (Bharata's uncle). Sage Vasishtha says quite simply and authoritatively that Bharata should take charge as per the unambiguous last wish of the deceased king Dasharatha.
Bharata eloquently makes the case for righting the terrible wrong handed out to Sri Rama. He removes the last vestige of doubt that he will bring back Sri Rama. In fact, he says, a special royal highway has been constructed already for that purpose. So please, let us all go. He gives a firm order to Sumantra to assemble the entire army and everyone else with all materials for the journey without any more delay.
Sumantra is delighted. As the word spreads throughout the city, there is a frenzied preparation for the journey.
ततो योधाङ्गनाः सर्वा भर्तॄन् सर्वान् गृहे गृहे ।
यात्रागमनमाज्ञाय त्वरयन्ति स्म हर्षिताः ॥
All the wives of the soldiers hurried their husbands to hasten their preparations and comply with the marching orders, displaying a marked gladness at the prospect of bringing back Sri Rama.
The whole army and everyone is ready to go.
ततः समुत्थाय कुले कुले ते
राजन्यवैश्या वृषलाश्च विप्राः ।
अयूयुजन्नुष्ट्ररथान् खरांश्च
नागान् हयांश्चैव कुलप्रसूतान् ॥
Therefore, complying with Bharata's orders, in every home, soldiers, traders, servants, and priests, all readied their camels, donkeys, chariots, well-bred elephants and horses, all set for the journey.
***
॥ श्रीरामजयम् ॥
