Sri Rama gets ready for Coronation
As advised by Guru Vasishta Sri Rama after bath along with Wide eyed Sita worhipped Sriman Narayana. Meditating upon him raised the Boiled Rice pot upwards recited the Mntharas in an orderly manner and offered to the Holy Agni(Fire) as Homam and balance portion along with Ghee(melted Butter) which is holiest and ate a small portion as prasadam. Sat on Dharbha mat (made of kushal Grass) and slept in his Puja (Temple) room of Sri Ranganathar.
Woke up 2 hours befoe the Sun rise spruced up and decorated the house. The Vanthi Persons with pleasant words praised Sri Rama and Sita. He performed Sandhya vandanam with steadfast mind he recited the Great Gayathri Manthra and wore a pure clean Dress and did Prostratiosn and Sthothram (Reciting Verses) thus worshipped Maha Vishnu. He had asked the Brahmins to do swati vachanam. The manly and clear Voice of the Brahmins reciting the Divine Verses reverberated in near by Loacalities as well. All citizen who came to know of Sri Rama and Sita fasting the previous day were happy the Coronation bath will take place on scheduled day/time. They went on a decoration spree of the city to celebrate this occasion. The following places were decorated nicely, Temples which were pristine pure like White Clouds, the Town Halls at the Junction of 4 roads, Boulevards, Temples of Important dieties, Arches on top of Boundary walls,Traders shops decorated with unique items/ Lamps, Innovative Arches of different shapes and colours in Rich Persons Houses as well as Middle class Houses,Trees, Community Halls, and Tall Pillars erected in important places duly decorated. Dancers danced by making gestures but they were accompanied by Singers of Melodious voice pleasing to the mind and Ears ,was heard all over.
As the coronation ceremony time was nearing people gathered nearby crossings and Ladies were exchanging the pleasantaries and the arrangements they have heard of as well as their own expectations. The children were playing in front of their houses narrating their own versions of the celebrations. Roads leading to Palace , Boulevards were strewn with Flowers and incense sticks Lit up(Agarbathis) emanating Fragrance all around , with lots of decorations, and all streets were covered by Flower tents. Strewn intricately with Palntain( Banana) , Coconut Leaves ,Bettle tree leaves making exquisite patterns duly lit up and looked like Hanging gardens all over the city. Having done the decoration all over, the citizens were keenly awaiting the Coronation ceremony of Sri Rama celebrating same in all road crossings, streets town halls etc telling amongst themselves “ King Dasaratha of Ikshwaku Dynasty having realized he has become old has decided to Crown his son Sri Rama as Prince. We have Divine blessings to beget Sri Rama as our Crown prince. Rama can differentiate which is Lofty and which is Lowly, Sri Rama is not haughty, Learned person, has Dharma as his Virtues. He is fond of his brothers hence he will with Affection will protect us all for long time to come. May King Dasaratha live long as he is giving us an opportunity to witness this spectacle, May he Live Long” thus they praised and blessed their King. The voices of conversation amongst the people reverberated like the waves of the sea during Monsoon season. The City looked like Indra’s City and the people were pouring in from all directions to see Coronation of Lord Sri Rama like streams of water and thus emanated the Chorus of Reverbrations caused by the Sea waves in a Sea coast.(Slokas 28)
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