Coronation Preparational Efforts
Dasratha was overwhelmed to see the Country men beseeching him to coronate Sri Rama with their Hands raised above their heads and bowed in reverence to all of them according to their Positions and said following “ Hey Countrymen, As you all are desirous of seeing my Elder son Sri Rama Coronated as Crown Prince, I am extremely Happy to note the same and I am indeed honoured and humbled” thus King spoke in humble and in Anukool –In consancance with time/occasion- befitting manner. He spoke to the Saints Vasistha and Vamadeva in a manner all those present could also hear them. “ Amongst the 12 Months this Chithra(April) Month is most auspicious, all the Trees are flowering, Sri Rama was also born in this month only When we are deciding to coronate him it so happens that this month also happens to be Chitra-April. So please make arrangements for the Coronation forthwith.
All the assembled people who have long been awaiting Sri Rama’s coronation applauded spontaneously with full enthusiasm and the hall reverabarated with Happiness. And slowly subsided. And King requested Vasistha to make arrangments for the requisite materials needed for conducting the yagams. Sage Vasista inturn addressed General Sumanthara “ Gold, Gems, Grains, Medicines, Catalyst Liquids, White Flower Garlands, Battered rice, Honey, melted Butter(Ghee), New Dresses Chariots, Armamaments, the Army, the most venered Elephants, White hand Fans, Staffs, Handsome Elephants, White Umbrella, 100 Gold Vessel Pots shining like the Fire, the Oxen whose Horns are adorned by Gold gaskets. The Tiger Skin which has all parts of it’s Body, Sandal wood , Flowers etc, should be made available for the King to perform the Agni hothra on Time in the designated place. Please also adorn with fragrant flowers all the internal Rooms/ Suites of the Palace of the king as well as Stairs of the Palace. Arrange to give in charity to 1000 Brahmins the Milk, Melted Butter, Battered Rice with Tasty sumptuous Food with abundant Dakshina(Fees) and Swasthivasanam should be performed in Dawn. Please ensure the Brahmins are reminded in advance and ensure they are seated properly. Houses should be decorated using proper Staaf / wooden pillars /arches , Boulevards cleaned – spruced up, with Flowers showered all over with Dancers ready perform in the Palace.
“All the temples should have Pujas performed for their respective dieties with full honours and shoud be celebrated in a grand manner with adequate snacks sweets with Brahmins to perform the Pujas” thus orders were given by the sagacious Sages Vasistha and Vamdeva .Having satisfied themselves on all preparations which gave them hair raising experience they came and happily informed King Dasaratha “ As per your Orders all arrangemnts for the Coronation ceremony have been organized “.
King Dasaratha called Minister Sumnathara and said “ Please go and bring our Noble Person Sri Rama immediately”. Sumanthara also left forth with. The Invited Neighbouring Kings, Hilly terrain Inhabitants, were surrounding King Dasaratha like DevaIndra is closeted by the celestials.
The Emperor who was watching the city from the Terrace of his Palace saw Sri Rama coming in the chariot. His desire to see Rama was insatiatable and was repeadtedly look at him from a distance. Sri Rama is handsome like the Gandharva King. Normally PARAKRAM (Achievement, Might, Puissance,Exploits,Valor, Heroism, Gallantry,Prowess,Ability,Valour)and Handsomeness do not go together. Rama is known for his Prowess in all the worlds. Even if both Parakrama and Handsomeness is seen together in a person ,then the Noble Virtues of Man rarely go with them.
Whereas Sri Rama’s arms extend till his knee caps. Despite this the Strength of a person do not go with it. Whereas Sri Rama has the gait of a Rogue Elephant and Manliness personified. Even if one were to have these Physical features, it is rare that person will be able to fathom the feelings and allieviate the sorrows of another person. Whereas Sri Rama is so handsome that you keep on looking at him, as you keep looking at the Full moon and insatiable thirst to see him never quenches.
He with his benign Nectar like eye sight removes all the Ills of those who throng to look upto him and he immerses them in boundless Happiness. Despite any number of times one sees him, one is not satiated. Ladies hearts have butterfly when they see a Man who is handsome and is full of Noble Virtuous qualities. Sri Rama enchants and steals the heart of even men when they look at his Handsome features filled with most Virtuous qualities.
Just like the labourer who is working in hot sun is happy in seeing dark rain bearing clouds repeatedly King Dasaratha was not satisfied eyeing Sri Rama who was coming towards him. Rama’s chariot drew near Dasratha’s Palace. Sumanthara helped Rama alight from the Chariot. As Rama made his way to meet Dasratha Sumanthara stepped aside. Rama walked with reverence to meet Dasaratha and offered his Respects as per the custom prevailing then. Dasaratha hugged his son Rama and made him sit in a Sofa embedded with Gems. Sri Rama was looking like the rising morning Sun in the Meru Mountain of Himalayas. He looked like the sky having Illuminence caused by the Full Moon in a Summer clear sky with stars in back ground and his radiance shone in that room/Hall.Dasaratha was bathing in the Company of Sri Rama and was extremely Happy.
King Dasaratha who was blessed amongst those who had got Sons with pleasing smile said “ Rama ! you in all evaluations have been born to my 1st wife befitting & worthy of our Lineage(Vansh) , Child filled with best Qualities /Character/Ideals/Virtues hence due to your excellent Good Qualities-Character-Ideals-Virtues the people of our country are satisfied with you. The Pushya Star and Moon and joining tomorrow , I have decided to hand over this Kingdom to you. Even by nature you are filled with Virtuous Charatcter, you respect Elders, still due to my love for my son, I am now going to preach you those principles which will be beneficial.
1.You have to be more humble than earlier and should overcome lure of all the senses always.
2.There are 7 types of mental agonies caused by Lust/Desire & Anger. This should be annihilated by you.
3. You have to guide even the lowest rung servants as well as the Senior Government officials including Ministers /Secretaries either directly or indirectly.
4.Just like knowing the essential developments in Enemy territory through Spies/Diplomats so should you extract information from the Cabinet and directly those matters which should essentially known to you.
5.You should accumulate the Grannary with Cereals Grains-Vegetables required in abundance by our country along with different types of Gems and Armoury (Weapons- Land Water Air borne Missiles) needed by our Defence Forces, in plenty and
6.make the Citizens of our Country happy. Through the above recourse they will be satisfied and shower on their King Viswas( trust , sense of Belonging & Loyalty). Due to this the Ministers , friends will be extremely pleased and Happy like the Celestials who are immersed in Bliss after consuming Nectar- Elixir panacea in the thought that we have been blessed with such capapble King of worthy Character and Virtues and feel happy about it.Hence you shouls also control your Manam( MIND+ THOUGHT+ ACTION + EGO) and behave in a pleasant manner. Thus King Dasratha spoke to Sri Rama as of those which will be in the Interest of his son ;just like how Kashyapa advised Indra. Then Rama’s friends ran and informed Kaushalya (Rama’s Mother). The Noblest Virtuous Queen gave them lot of Gold Ornamantal Gems and Cow to them, celebrating the Good News of on coming coronation of Sri Rama.
Sri Rama bowed/ Prostrated to his father , took leave , mounted the chariot and was cheered by his country men on his way to his Palace. Hearing the King Dasaratha’s decision of coronating Sri Rama the country men felt as though they have been blessed with such windfall of Profit for which they have been praying and waiting . They went back to their respective places and prayed to their God that this Coronation Ceremony should happen without any hitch/Obstacles. .(Slokas 50)
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