Ramakatha Rasavahini, Part 2, Chapter 12 (a) - The Coronation

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Part 2 - Chapter 12 (a)The Coronation

 

As soon as they entered the palace, Vasishta, the Royal Preceptor, announced the

date when the Coronation of Rama as the Emperor of Ayodhya would be celebrated,

giving details of the auspicious attributes of the day which had persuaded him

to choose it for the great event. He invited also all the pundits and priests

to take part in the ceremonies that the Vedas had enjoined, to consummate the

coronation. They appreciated the decision of Vasishta for, they said "a

coronation so celebrated would confer peace and prosperity on all mankind."

Vasishta called Sumanthra into his presence and addressed him thus, "Assemble

the armed forces - cavalry, elephantry, chariotry and infantry - at the city,

for the Coronation of Rama is to be celebrated". Those words filled Sumanthra

with extreme delight; he arranged for the presence of the army with all its

components. The elephants, horses, and chariots were decorated grandly for the

occasion. They were posted in serried ranks outside the city gate. The horsemen

and the foot-soldiers wore colourful uniforms and they stood at attention, ready

to march into the city for the festival. Messengers were sent in all directions

to gather in time the various auspicious articles necessary for the rituals

that formed part of the celebrations. The entire city was agog with joy;

citizens vied with each other in decorating their houses and streets.

People felt their two eyes were not enough to imbibe the charm of the city.

Rama was specially considerate towards the persons who had accompanied him from

beyond Ayodhya - Sugriva, Vibhishana, Angada, Nala, Nela and others. He ordered

that proper arrangements be made for accommodating them and for looking after

their needs. Accordingly, servants from the palace rushed to perfect the

arrangements designed for the comfort of the guests. Rama called Bharatha and

with his own hands, he combed his hair that had got matted, since he had not

paid any attention to it, for years. The three brothers personally poured holy

water and attended on Bharatha while he bathed. Then, Rama received the assent

of Vasishta to disentangle his own matted hair and had his auspicious bath. The

queen mothers meanwhile had Sita go through her bath also. The mothers carefully

combed her matted hair too, and dressed her in yellow silk; they

made her wear jewels in plenty. She shone like Goddess Lakshmi. She moved to

where Rama was and took her seat to the left of her Lord.

The three mothers [Kausalya, Kaikeyi and Sumitra] experienced the highest bliss,

looking on, while Rama and Sita were seated together. "Is not this day the

luckiest day for us? This day, our lives have achieved fulfillment. This day,

our dearest wish has come true. This day, our eyes have had their purpose

realized", they said to themselves. They lost all consciousness of their bodies

or surroundings, watching Rama and Sita, and taking them to be the God Narayana

and the Divine Consort of Narayana, Lakshmi. Vasishta the great Sage was moved

by the splendour that shone in the face of Rama. He was delighted beyond

measure at the divine effulgence of the Rama Form. 'I achieved today the goal

for which I have been waiting so long', he felt, and he ruminated on that joy

and remained blissful and silent. He called the servitors and instructed them

to bring the Great Throne and install it in the Coronation Hall. It was a

throne set with multifarious gemstone which shone like the sun, with dazzling

brilliance.

Rama prostrated before Vasishta and other sages, and fell at the feet of the

queen-mothers. Then, he prostrated before the entire assembly of elders and

citizens and ascended the throne, with Sita following him close. The vast

gathering rejoiced at the unique sight, so full of majesty and glory. The

Rshis, the elders, the leading citizens and the saintly well-wishers were

filled with gratefulness and joy. The Brahmins recited appropriate Vedic hymns.

The populace shouted Jai Jai, so loud and so often that the sky threatened to

fall. It was the seventh day of the dark half of the moon in the month of

Vaisakh. Taking the permission of the assembly and

the assent of the Brahmins, Vasishta wound round the brow of Rama the insignia

of Imperial Authority.

Kausalya, the mother of Rama, turned her eyes on Rama every now and then, and

felt supremely happy. And, what can be said of the joy of the brothers

Lakshmana, Bharatha and Satrughna! It was beyond words. They were holding

whisks and the umbrella, and standing behind the throne, as attendants on Rama.

In fact, they were all through the years doing penance for the culmination they

were enjoying that day! The gods beat drums of victory in the sky; the

celestial musicians sang hallelujahs, the celestial dancers danced in joy.

Vibhishana, Sugriva, Angada, Hanuman, Jambavan, Nala, Nela, Dadhimukha, Divida,

Mainda - these heroes bore bows and

arrows, scimitars, spears and stood on both sides of the throne, in reverential humility.

With Sita sitting on his left, Rama manifested the beauty of a billion Manmathas

(Manmatha - the God of Love) rolled into one. The gods were fascinated by the

divine charm of the Lord of the Raghu line. Rama wore silk, interwoven with

gold, and he had pendants on his ears brilliant with precious gems. He wore

ornaments on his ankles and wrists, which derived beauty from his entrancing

charm. The three worlds exulted at the sublimity of the event and the personal

grandeur of Rama. Really those who witnessed that scene were the fortunate ones

among the living.

Vibhishana came forward with a dazzling necklace of gems, which the Lord of the

Sea had offered to Ravana. Sita accepted it. Its brilliance shone all over the

vast Hall and struck everyone as a unique string of gems. But, with the

necklace in her hand, she cast a questioning glance at the face of Rama. Rama

knew what was passing in her mind. He said, "Sita! You can grant it as a gift

to anyone among those here who deserves your grace." Sita thought just for a

second and looked at Hanuman. Becoming aware of the compassion in that look,

Hanuman approached her in great humility and stood before Sita with bowed head.

The necklace was given by Sita to Hanuman. Hanuman turned it around many times

in his hand, its dazzle enrapturing everyone in that vast assembly. He was

struggling to discover its specialness, with unslaked curiosity. He plucked

every gem, put it between his teeth, and placed it adjacent to his ear, and

with a face indicating

disappointment, he threw the gem away in disgust! All eyes were watching with

increasing amazement this peculiar behaviour. They were stunned into silence

and inactivity. Until he treated the last gem in the same cavalier manner, no

one dared interrupt or condemn. They could only protest in whispers among

themselves! "Who is this monkey that treats the diamond necklace so lovingly

and so compassionately presented to him by Sita?" was the question on most

lips.

Even Vibhishana was sad that Hanuman had so brazenly insulted the priceless

jewel that he had brought. 'He has pulled it to pieces and cast the gems

aside', he told himself. Everyone in the Hall surmised the reason for this

strange behaviour in his own way. At last, one vassal Ruler could not restrain

himself. He rose and gave vent to his resentment: "Peerless Hero! Why did you

break that necklace of gems into so many bits? Was it right to do so? Tell us

the reason why? Give us some explanation and remove our doubts."

Sri Hanuman Chalisa Mantra (12 min.) Text Mantra

Hanuman listened to him patiently and replied. "0 King! I examined each gem in

order to discover whether each had in it the sacred Name of Rama. I could not

find it in any gem. Without that Name of Rama, they are but stones and pebbles.

So, I cast them on the ground." The ruler was not silenced by this. He asked,

"Hanuman! If it is your desire that in every article and particle there should

be the name of Rama, are you not asking for something impossible?" Hanuman

replied, "Of what good, of what profit, is any thing which has not in it the

name of Rama? I have no need of such". The valiant hero, Hanuman, dismissed the

arguments of the ruler thus. The ruler, however, continued his objections. He

said, "You would not wear any thing that has not got in it the name of Rama.

Well. You are wearing your body. You are carrying it about with you. Prove to

us that you have the name in it". Hanuman laughed aloud; he said, "I shall

prove, see!" He pulled a

single hair from off his forearm and held it very near the ear of the Ruler. He

could hear the name, Rama, Rama, Rama, uttered by that single hair! At this, he

was overcome with a sense of wonder; he fell at the feet of Hanuman and prayed

for pardon.

Rama called Hanuman near Himself and warmly embraced him. He asked him,

"Hanuman! What can I offer you on this occasion? I have no gift worthy to be

given to you. I am giving you myself as my gift to you." Then, he offered his

body to be clasped by Hanuman's hands. The assembly was moved into shouts of

Jai at this unique act of grace. They praised Hanuman and declared that there

was no one to equal him in all the worlds. They praised the devotion and

dedication of Hanuman.

Then, Rama rose from the throne and moved out into the open, where vast

congregations were awaiting his appearance. He gave them the Divine Darsan of

His charming majestic Form. They were all thrilled as never before in the bliss

the Darsan conferred. All who were in the City were provided festive reception

and given lavish food and luxurious shelter. Rama arranged for the

distribution, as charity, of gold and money, of vehicles, household utensils

and clothing, of houses and other amenities in plenty. Vibhishana and the

Vanara heroes were wonder-struck at the magnificent elaborateness of these

events. They stayed on for six months in the Capital, serving Rama both day and

night, in full exultation. The six months sped away as a single day for them.

They had no memory of their homes, their families or their kingdoms during all

that period of

time.

At last, Rama called all the companions and comrades, who had accompanied him,

into the Audience Hall and seated them in appropriate places. Then, he

addressed them in soft, sweet accents, thus; "Friends! You have all toiled hard

on My behalf. Of course, it is not proper to praise you to your face. You

confronted various difficulties for My sake, giving up your homes, not worrying

about your wives and children and unconcerned about your properties and

possessions. I have no friends other than you all. Therefore, I have special

love and compassion towards you. More than My parents, more than My brothers,

more than My kingdom, more than My subjects, and more than even My Sita, you

are My loved ones. This is My firm assertion. So, I now require you to proceed

to your homes. Serve Me after installing Me in your hearts, with faith and

devotion. I shall grant you the fortune of seeing Me, beside you, behind you,

before you and in your homes. I shall

grant you Grace".

They listened to these words so full of Grace and Love, and they were so

overcome by gratefulness and joy that they forgot themselves and their

surroundings. They did not allow their eyes to stray away from the face of

Rama; they shed tears of delight abounding. They could not utter a single word

in reply; the tongue was unable to pronounce any. Then, under orders from Rama,

the servitors brought large quantities of clothing and jewels. Lakshmana,

Bharatha and Satrughna were requested to offer them to the members of the party

and to personally help them in wearing them. The Vanaras and Vibhishana were

then assisted by them in putting them on and they shone with added charm and

brightness. But, the Vanaras were unaffected by what was done; they stood

unmoved and stiff, looking only at the feet of Rama, their adored Lord. All

bowed their heads and fell at those lovely feet. And, Rama lifted them gently

and embraced them with great

affection.

Rama told the departing groups of Vanaras and others, "Children and friends! I

am awarding you the Sarupya stage of liberation, by which you are endowed with

powers and attainments approximating to My own. Go back and carry out the

duties devolving upon you with success and fulfill the responsibilities with

which you are involved. Rule over the lands and peoples entrusted to your care

and enjoy peace and prosperity". Rama provided them valuable counsel of various

kinds and gave them leave to depart. Bharatha and Satrughna were struck with

admiration by the devotion that shone in the hearts of the Vanaras and others.

As Rama commanded, Lakshmana, Bharatha and Satrughna accompanied the party for

some distance until they reached the outskirts of the City. Even as they sat in

the chariots provided for them, the Vanaras turned back wistfully and shed tears

at the thought of leaving Rama. The brothers saw the anguish in their faces and

could not bear

the sight. They knew the meaning of those streams of tears and those sad looks

and praised the spirit of dedication which filled their hearts. They gave them

company until the river bank and they supervised arrangements for ferrying them

across. Then, the brothers returned to Ayodhya. Hanuman also returned with them.

He prayed and pleaded with Sugriva, his ruler, and promised to return after

about ten days for, as he said, "I cannot bear the pang of separation". Though

Sugriva was not very happy, and in spite of his protests, Hanuman came back

along with Lakshmana and others to where Rama was.

One day, Rama proceeded to a garden with his brothers and his dear Hanuman, in

order to spend some time strolling through it. The place was replete with

flowers and fruits. Rama sat on an elevated seat, with the brothers on his

side. The brothers were found hesitating to ask some questions, though they had

the desire within them. They looked at Hanuman and communicated their feelings

to him. They knew that if Hanuman put those questions, Rama would fain give the

answers. The omnipresent Rama recognized the situation. "Hanuman! What is it you

seek to know? Ask", he said. Hanuman replied, "O Protector of the Weak! Bharatha

wanted to ask you a question. But he was stricken by doubt; he is downcast with

a sense of fear". He folded his palms and fell at the feet of Rama, for having

answered his query so bluntly, and in thankfulness that he was commanded to

speak in the presence. Rama then spoke thus: "Hanuman! You know full well My

nature. There is

no difference between Me and Bharatha, nothing to make either feel distinct".

When Bharatha heard these words, he fell at the feet of Rama, and said, "O

Healer of the miseries of those who surrender to you! Listen. Pardon my errors

and protect me. I have no doubts lurking in my mind. I have no griefs and no

attachments, even in my dreams. Of course, I owe all this to Your grace and

compassion. You are the treasure-house of all the virtues. I desire to learn

the distinction between good men and bad."

Rama deigned to reply. He said, "Brother! The qualities that mark out the good

are endless in number, as the Vedas and Puranas say. The distinction that

separates the good and the bad are as wide as that between the sandal tree and

the axe. Note this; even when the axe cuts the sandal tree, the tree confers on

the axe the fragrance it possesses. The axe is killing it, but the tree does

only good to its executioner. Hence, the sandal is appreciated by all. The Gods

love to have sandal paste on their foreheads. But, see what happens to the axe

that does harm to the tree that wishes it well. It is kept in fire and while

red-hot, it is hammered into shape and sharpness. Wicked persons cause grief to

good men in this manner. But, the good always

wish well and do good to the wicked, whatever harm is done to them. And, what is

their gain? They certainly attain heaven. That is to say, they are in constant

bliss. The bad persons, on the other hand, will be constantly struggling in

sorrow and discontent. That is to say, they will be subject to hellish agony;

though they may appear happy to observers, they will be tortured inside by the

infamy and the hatred they invoke". (*) (**)

"I shall tell you the characteristics of good men. Listen. They are not

fascinated by sensual pleasures. They possess all the best virtues and modes of

behaviour. They will be happy at the happiness of others; they will be sad when

others are sad. They look upon all with equal affection. They have no enemies

and they are not bothered even if foes exist. They are endowed with wisdom,

knowledge of the objective world, and a deep sense of detachment. Their hearts

are tender; they have compassion towards the weak and the helpless. They adore

My feet with purity of thought, word and deed. They delight in serving me. They

have no concern with fame or infamy, honour or dishonour. They are always

interested in serving others; they never yield to the urge of selfishness, even

in dreams. Their actions are transparently simple; their hearts are ever cool

and unruffled. They yearn for opportunities to renounce; they are every moment

soaked in joy. For them

praise and blame are the same. Brother! Whoever has these characteristics in

him, take it that he is of My own nature. He is myself, I am himself. Take that

to be the truth".

"Now, I shall tell you of the qualities of bad men. Listen. You should avoid

their company, by all means. Grief will descend upon you as a result of that

companionship. Their hearts will be pained at the prosperity of others. They

will delight as much in scandalizing others, as in welcoming a fortune. The six

foes of bad men - lust, anger, greed, desire, pride and hatred are fostered by

them and they are ever at their beck and call. They move about and act

according to the commands of these six. Pity and charity are absent in their

makeup. They pick up quarrels with others with no reason or on no provocation.

They develop enmity even towards those who do good to them. Their actions are

false; their utterances are false; their dealings of give and take are false.

Their attitudes are hard; they have hearts of stone. The peacock is charming to

behold; its cry is pleasant to hear; but it kills snakes. So too wicked men are

eager to harm

others, and craving for others' wives. They relish damaging the reputation of

others. They revel in evil; they are evil-minded all the time. They are the

meanest among men. They have no fear of retribution. When they see or hear

about the progress of another, they are possessed by so much envy that they are

afflicted with unbearable headache. But when others are caught in calamity, they

exult over their sufferings, When others are suffering, they are elated as if

they have been crowned kings of the realm. They are dominated by the ego; they

do not have any thought of helping others, even in their dreams! Their hearts

are the birth-places of lust, anger and other passions. They have no

consideration towards parents, preceptors or elders. They feel disgust at the

very mention of 'good personages' or 'God'. Their intellects are dull; their

conduct is reprehensible. They can be observed in large numbers during the Kali

Yuga.

(*) Bhagavad Gîtâ of Order, Ch. 16, 17 and 18.

The Bhagavad Gîtâ of Order in Real Audio, spoken by Anand Aadhar Prabhu.

(**) Srîmad Bhâgavatam, Canto 6: Prescribed Duties for Mankind

Bhajan:Rama Hare Sai Krishna Hare, Sarva Dharma Priya Sai Hare(The Love of Rama

and Krishna, religious principles, sweet Sai)

 

Ramakatha RasavahiniThe Sweet Story of Rama's GloryOriginal in Telegu written by

Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai BabaRendered into English by Professor N. Kasturi

Source: http://www.vahini.org/ramakatha2/ch12a.htmlVahini.org: 'Vahini' Books

written by Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

 

 

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