September 16 - Sargas 26 and 27 of Kishkindha Kanda.
Sugriva is coronated in a grand ceremony. On Sri Rama's instruction, he anoints Angada as the prince regent.
Sri Rama tells Sugriva that the monsoon season is unsuitable for starting the search for Sita. That should be pursued after 4 months. During this period, he and Lakshmana will camp in a cave on the Prasravana mountain nearby.
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Sugriva arrives, dripping from his ceremonial bath after cremating Vali, surrounded by all his lieutenants and chiefs. Hanuman addresses Sri Rama:
भवत्प्रसादात्काकुत्स्थ पितृपैतामहंं महत् ।
महात्मनां सुदुष्प्रापं प्राप्तं राज्यमिदं प्रभो ॥
भवता समनुज्ञातः प्रविश्य नगरं शुभम् ।
अर्चियिष्यति माल्यैश्च रत्नैश्च त्वां विशेषतः ॥
"Revered Sri Rama, by your grace, this glorious kingdom, made noble by the deeds of our forefathers, not open to rulership easily even for great ones, has now been acquired by our Chief Sugriva.
"Kindly accompany Sugriva and enter the auspicious city of Kishkindha along with his chiefs. He shall propitiate you there especially with garlands and jewels."
Sri Rama replies in all politeness and grace,
चतुर्दश समाः सौम्य ग्रामं वा यदि वा पुरम् ।
न प्रवेक्ष्यामि हनुमन् पितुर्निर्देशपालकः ॥
प्रविष्टो विधिवद्वीर: क्षिप्रं राज्येऽभिषिज्यताम् ।
इममप्यङ्गदं वीरं यौवराज्येऽभिषेचय ॥
"Dear Hanuman, I shall not enter the city of Kishkindha as I am bound by my word to my father that for fourteen years I shall not enter any village or city. Let the mighty warrior and great leader Sugriva be properly crowned as the supreme king of all vanaras." Turning to Sugriva, Sri Rama instructs him, "This brave warrior Angada shall be anointed the prince regent. He equals you in might and deserves to be crowned as the prince of Kishkindha."
Sri Rama also informs Sugriva that the rainy season has just started. The next four months are inclement for undertaking the search for Sita or for an encounter with Ravana. He shall therefore go and wait out this period with Lakshmana in a cave nearby. Sugriva should enjoy his kingship and comforts in the meanwhile.
There is an elaborate description of the coronation of Sugriva. This is the first time Valmiki treats us to a narration of all the rituals and ceremonies of a grand coronation. We missed that last time when Sri Rama's installation as prince regent was nipped in the bud by Kaikeyi.
Suffice it to say that the vanaras (surely not to be equated with monkeys) followed all the Vedic rituals of the coronation with great pomp and splendour. Valmiki says the rituals went
शास्त्रदृष्टेन विधिना महर्षिविहितेन च - "according to the scriptural injunctions and as ordained by great rishis". The golden canopy, golden throne, crown, white fans, welcome rituals by sixteen maidens, flowers, herbs and unguents, garlands, fine clothes, sandal paste, honey, seats of tiger skin, jewels, auspicious water from the seas brought in golden pots, worship of brahmins, rituals of fire worship, recitation of mantras, are all listed.
Sugriva made Angada prince regent and embraced him. All the vanaras repeatedly extolled the greatness of Sri Rama and Lakshmana. Sugriva was extremely happy to be reunited with his queen Ruma.
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Sri Rama chose to go and reside in a cave on Prasravana mountain. It was a most picturesque location with a wide range of beautiful tall trees, a number of wild animals including lions and tigers whose roars were heard all the time, with crystal clear water bodies, mineral deposits, flower bushes of many kinds...
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Sri Rama points to each one of the sights with great delight and admiration of nature's glory.
Sri Rama describes a beautiful river, full of lotuses and attracting many varieties of birds, that flows eastward.
And at once, he is plunged into the despair of separation from his beloved Sita. He says all these wonderful beauties of nature only torment him.
He wonders if Sugriva will remember his promise. As they heard many sounds of merriment and music from the Kishkindha city not too far away, it is clear that Sugriva is having a great time. He has got his wife back, his kingship, and all the royal luxuries, along with his friends and relatives. (Sri Rama has lost every single one of these things).
Seeing Sri Rama drop into depression, Lakshmana cheers him up.
भवान्क्रियापरो लोके भवान् देवपरायणः ।
आस्तिको धर्मशीलश्च व्यवसायी च राघव ॥
तत्सपरिवारं तं निर्मूलं कुरु राक्षसम् ।
अहं तु खलु ते वीर्यं प्रसुप्तं प्रतिबोधये ॥
"Dear Sri Rama, you are the mighty lord full of enterprise and divine glory. You also are devoted to gods. You believe in the truth of righteousness and act always in the right way. Let us wait for the rainy season to pass. Before long, you shall destroy from his very roots that evil Ravana with all his people, like a wild forest fire. I am simply stating the power of your dormant power which is now like a fire that smoulders beneath the ash and smoke for a little while before eruption."
Sri Rama thanks Lakshmana for his affectionate, reassuring, and motivational words. He says he has got over his despondency and will patiently wait out the intervening months before Sugriva fulfils his promise.
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॥ श्रीरामजयम् ॥
