Dawn of Ramas Coronation
Ayodhyakanda - Sarga 6
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Ayodhyakanda - Sarga 6
Explore the vibrant preparations for Rama's coronation in Ayodhya. Witness Rama's sacred rituals, the city's joyous decorations, and the citizens' excitement as King Dasaratha prepares to crown his son.
After the family priest Vasistha departed, Rama took the following steps:
Bathed and focused his mind
Approached Lord Narayana (a form of Vishnu) with his wife Sita
Performed ritual offerings:
Held a vessel of offerings on his head
Poured clarified butter into the sacred fire
Consumed the remaining offerings for his own welfare
Meditated upon Lord Narayana in silence
Rested with Sita on a bed of kusha grass (sacred grass used in rituals) in Vishnu's temple
With three hours of night remaining, Rama:
Awoke and had his residence decorated
Listened to bards and panegyrists while performing morning rituals
Chanted the Gayatri mantra (a sacred Vedic hymn) with focused mind
Praised Lord Madhusudana (another name for Vishnu) while wearing spotless silk garments
Listened to purificatory mantras recited by brahmins (priests and scholars of Vedic literature)
Meanwhile, in Ayodhya:
Deep, sweet proclamations of "This is an auspicious day" filled the city
Trumpet sounds accompanied these proclamations
Residents rejoiced upon hearing about Rama and Sita's preparatory fast
As dawn broke, citizens began decorating Ayodhya for Rama's coronation:
Raised colorful banners and flags on:
Temples
Crossroads
Thoroughfares
Merchants' stalls
Prosperous houses
Public halls
Tall trees
Filled the city with performances by actors, dancers, and singers
The anticipation for Rama's coronation spread throughout Ayodhya:
People gathered to discuss the event:
In public squares
In private houses
Even children shared stories while playing
Citizens adorned the highways:
Decorated with flowers
Made fragrant with incense
Preparations for nighttime ceremony:
Set up tree-shaped lamps throughout the streets
The residents praised King Dasaratha:
"Oh, how great is our king Dasaratha, the pride of the Ikshvaku dynasty! Realizing his own advanced age, he has decided to install Rama as king. We are all fortunate that Rama, who understands the world's complexities, will be our protector for a long time."
They extolled Rama's virtues:
Humble and learned
Righteous
Affectionate towards his brothers
Treats citizens with the same friendliness as his brothers
The citizens expressed their wishes:
"May the virtuous and sinless King Dasaratha live long, for by his grace we will witness Rama's coronation."
As excitement grew:
Villagers arrived from all directions to witness the coronation
The city became crowded and noisy
The atmosphere resembled the roar of the ocean during full and new moon days
Ayodhya's transformation:
Resembled the abode of Indra (the king of gods)
Crowded with visitors from all over
Grew vibrant, like an ocean teeming with aquatic life
This concludes the sixth chapter (sarga) of Ayodhyakanda, the second book of the Ramayana, the great epic composed by the sage Valmiki.