Dawn of Ramas Coronation

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. 

Rama's Preparations for Coronation (Shlokas 2.6.1 - 2.6.13)

After the family priest Vasistha departed, Rama took the following steps:

1. Bathed and focused his mind

2. Approached Lord Narayana (a form of Vishnu) with his wife Sita

3. Performed ritual offerings:

   • Held a vessel of offerings on his head

   • Poured clarified butter into the sacred fire

4. Consumed the remaining offerings for his own welfare

5. Meditated upon Lord Narayana in silence

6. 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:

1. Awoke and had his residence decorated

2. Listened to bards and panegyrists while performing morning rituals

3. Chanted the Gayatri mantra (a sacred Vedic hymn) with focused mind

4. Praised Lord Madhusudana (another name for Vishnu) while wearing spotless silk garments

5. 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 City's Excitement (Shlokas 2.6.14 - 2.6.28)

The anticipation for Rama's coronation spread throughout Ayodhya:

1. People gathered to discuss the event:

   • In public squares

   • In private houses

   • Even children shared stories while playing

2. Citizens adorned the highways:

   • Decorated with flowers

   • Made fragrant with incense

3. 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:

1. Villagers arrived from all directions to witness the coronation

2. The city became crowded and noisy

3. 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.