Rama's Procession Through the City
Ayodhyakanda - Sarga 17
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Ayodhyakanda - Sarga 17
Follow Rama's triumphant procession through a city adorned for his coronation. Witness the people's devotion and the splendor of King Dasharatha's palace as Rama humbly approaches his destiny.
The glorious Rama boarded a chariot, surrounded by his overjoyed friends. As he began his journey, Rama alternated between riding the chariot and walking on foot. The vehicle was adorned with banners and flags, and fragrant with expensive incense and agaru (a type of aromatic wood). As he proceeded, Rama beheld the city, bustling with diverse crowds.
Rama traveled down the center of the royal highway, which was lined with houses gleaming white like clouds. The air was filled with the scent of agaru. The magnificent road was decorated with an array of luxurious items:
Heaps of high-quality sandalwood and agaru
Excellent fragrant substances
Bundles of white silken cloth
Flawless pearls
Exquisite crystal ornaments
A variety of flowers
An assortment of foods, both simple and luxurious
The royal highway resembled the path of the gods in heaven. At every crossroads, people made offerings to honor Rama's passage:
Curd
Rice grains
Sacrificial libations
Puffed rice (laja)
Fragrant substances like sandalwood and agaru
Garlands of various kinds
As Rama passed, he heard numerous blessings from his well-wishers. He honored each person according to their rank. The people exclaimed with joy:
"Today, you are consecrated to rule the kingdom. Follow the path of your grandfathers and great-grandfathers. As your father and grandfathers cared for us, we shall live even more happily under your reign, King Rama."
"If we can see Rama enthroned today and proceeding in a royal procession, we need no food or greater purpose in life. Nothing will be dearer to us than the consecration of Rama, whose brilliance knows no bounds."
Rama remained indifferent to these warm words of praise as he continued along the highway. Even after he passed, people couldn't take their eyes or minds off him. They said:
"Whoever fails to see Rama, or whom Rama doesn't see, will be condemned by all in the three worlds. Even their own conscience will reproach them."
"This righteous Rama shows compassion to all four castes, to the young and the old alike. That's why everyone is so devoted to him."
As Rama proceeded, he respectfully kept to the right of:
Four-way intersections
Roads leading to temples
Monuments
Shrines
Finally, Rama approached the royal palace. It was comparable to Indra's celestial abode, with:
Towers resembling clusters of white clouds
Peaks reminiscent of Mount Kailasa (a sacred mountain in Hindu mythology)
Structures adorned with jewels
Buildings without south-facing doors (considered auspicious in Vastu Shastra)
The palace seemed to touch the sky, blazing with splendor.
Rama, the best among men, crossed the first three courtyards on horseback. These areas were guarded by archers. He then proceeded on foot through the remaining two courtyards.
After crossing all the enclosures, Rama dismissed his followers and entered the king's private chambers.
As Rama approached his father, all the people outside were filled with joy. They eagerly awaited his return, much like the ocean anticipates the rise of the moon.
This concludes the seventeenth chapter (sarga) of Ayodhyakanda, the second book of the Ramayana, the great epic composed by the sage Valmiki.