Rāmāyana |Ayodhyā Kaṇḍa| Chapter 3

3. Rāma's Coronation Arrangements

[After the king requests Vasiṣṭha to make arrangements for the coronation for the next day, he makes all arrangements. Daśaratha summons Rāma and informs about it. Kausalya becomes greatly happy.]

The king with joy saw all those people who were saluting him who with folded hands similar to a lotus bud and told them, loving words which would be good to them. 3.1

"I am greatly pleased to appoint my eldest beloved son with matchless splendour as per your request as the Yuvarāja" 3.2

The king after honouring the people who had come as per his invitation, addressed Vasiṣṭha, Vāmadeva and other Brahmins who were listening to him. 3.3

"This auspicious month Chitrā [April-May] with blossoms of divine flowers is sacred and let all arrangements be made to crown Rāma as Yuvarāja" and all the people greatly applauded this declaration of his. 3.4

When the tumult among the people has calmed down, the lord of the people Daśaratha spoke the following words to Vasiṣṭha who was the tiger among sages. 3.5

"Oh God like sage, it is proper for you to issue necessary instructions, to keep ready the things that are needed to the rituals connected with the coronation of Rāma." 3.6

"Hearing the words of the king that best among Brahmins Vasiṣṭha, with folded hands in front of the king gave the following order." 3.7

"You have to arrange in the hall for conducting sacrifices of the king, gold and other precious metals, precious gems, articles necessary for worship, necessary herbs, garlands of white flowers, puffed rice, and also honey, ghee, fresh cloths, chariot, weapons of all types, army with its four divisions, an auspicious looking elephant, fans made of the hairs of Yak, white flag, decorative umbrella, hundred golden pots with great lustre shining like fire, bulls with their horns covered in gold and a complete tiger skin." 3.8-3.11

"If any other thing which are small are required at that time, it may be arranged. The private apartment of the king as well as the entire town may be decorated and the gates of the town may be decorated with sandal paste and flowers and worshipped with sweet smelling lighted incense." 3.12- 3.13

"Arrangements may be made to feed hundred thousand Brahmins to their hearts content by cooking good quality rice with milk and curd." 3.14

"Tomorrow morning after receiving the chiefs of Brahmins hospitably, they may be given ghee, puffed rice and curd as well as monetary gifts." 3.15

"As soon as the sun rises tomorrow laudatory speech should be made and seats arranged for all the Brahmins who have been invited." 3.16

"The highways should be sprinkled with water and flags tied on both sides. Actors and well-dressed courtesans should reach the second enclosure of the apartment and be seated there." 3.17

"In temples people should assemble with cooked rice and other food as well as with garland separately and they should be given monetary gifts." 3.18

"Let all the soldiers who are fully alert with long swords tied to their waist wearing new cloths enter in the courtyard of the glorious king." 3.19

Those highly disciplined sage, after giving this order and after informing the king, also attended to many other things to be done. 3.20

Those great Brahmins who were happy and satisfied with the arrangements approached the king and told him that all necessary actions have been taken. 3.21

Then that king with great lustre told Sumantra, "Bring the self-restrained Rāma immediately before me." 3.22

That Sumantra acknowledged the king's order and said "So be it", and being a great charioteer went to bring Rāma in the chariot. 3.23

Afterwards the kings of the eastern, northern, southern and western countries, kings who were not Aryans, kings of Aryan origin, the kings of the people of forest and mountains paid Homage to Daśaratha and he was like Indra surrounded by the devas. 3.24-3.25

The royal saint Daśaratha sitting in the palace like Indra surrounded by the Maruts, saw his son approaching him in a chariot. 3.26

Rāma was like a king of Gandharvas and was famous for his courage in the world. He had long arms, great strength, walked like an elephant in rut, greatly beautiful with a face like the moon, blessed with beauty, generosity and valour and captivating even men with his beauty. He looked like the rain god entering an area burnt with heat and even after looking at him with concentration, the king was not satisfied. 3.27-3.29

Sumantra helped Rāma in getting down from the splendid chariot and as Rāma went before his father with folded hands, he followed him. 3.30

That great man Rāma along with the charioteer Sumantra climbed in to the palace which was like the Kailāśa Mountain. 3.31

Going towards his father with folded hands, when he went near, he bowed deeply, pronounced his own name and saluted his father's feet. 3.32

That king seeing his saluting son near him, drew him near, holding his folded hands and hugged him. 3.33

The king offered a splendid seat decorated with gold and gems which was lofty, divine and also best of the seats. 3.34

When Rāma sat on the great seat, it shined further, like the rising lustrous sun making the Mount Meru to shine further. 3.35

That assembly added further to its lustre by Rāma, like the full moon adding lustre to the autumnal sky with its bright stars. 3.36

That great king was overjoyed on seeing his son and felt as if he was seeing his own image in a well decorated mirror. 3.37

That great one among those with sons, after calling him with a smile, like sage Kaśyapa calling his son Indra, spoke to him as follows. 3.38

"Oh Rāma, you are the worthy son born to my eldest wife who is worthy and since you have excellent virtues, you are my beloved one." 3.39

"Since you have attracted the people with your great virtues and for that son when moon enters the Puṣyā star, you would be crowned as their Yuvarāja." 3.40

"You are by nature attractive and one possessed with humility and though you possess all good virtues, I am speaking to your good due to my affection to you." 3.41

"Always endowed with humility and one with victory over his sense organs, you should try to be away from sorrows caused by anger and desire." 3.42

"By your behaviour directly or indirectly, keep all the ministers and your subjects in a happy frame of mind." 3.43

"You should rule the earth by keeping the storehouses of grains and weapons always full by making frequent collections, by keeping your subjects happy and devoted, for then your friends would be happy as if they have obtained deathlessness like the devas. For achieving this you should keep your mind subdued." 3.44-3.45

Hearing that, the friends of Rāma who were interested in his welfare, rushed to meet Kausalya and informed her. 3.46

She gave those messengers who brought the good news presents of cows, gold and various type of gems. 3.47

Thereafter Rāma, after saluting the king, got in to his chariot and reached his great home after being worshipped by large number of people. 3.48

Those citizens who heard the proclamation by the king felt as if they have gained the most beneficial objective, took leave from the king, reached their homes and worshipped their gods. 3.49

This is the end of Third Sarga of Ayodhyā Kanda which occurs in Holy Rāmāyaṇa composed by Vālmīki as the First Epic.