Rama is told about his coronation.

Valmiki Ramayanam Ayodhya Kanda (This Version) 3rd sargam (contd) :

Dasaratha could never have enough of looking at Sri Rama. He watched his handsome son alight from the a chariot and approach him with joined palms (Anjali), escorted by his excellent minister Sumantra.

Sri Rama bowed low, touched his father’s feet reverently and said his (own) name. Dasaratha drew him up and gave him a hug. (That is a right response for a child who touches your feet, with respect. Alternately uttering a blessing or benediction is appropriate.)

Then Dasaratha gave Sri Rama a lovely throne मणिकाञ्चनभूषितम्, decorated with gems and gold to sit on. And as the rising sun adds lustre to the the great Meru Mountain, Rama’s presence made the throne glow.

This is the sort of lovely similie that Valmiki is given to, throughout the work. No translation can justly capture that beauty. For example, the comparision with the sun also refers to the fact that Rama is of the Surya Vamsam and he is just about to rise and do all the great things. It also refers to the idea that however splendid a thing is, Sri Rama can make it more beautiful. And we note again the metallurgical aspect. That they knew how to make thrones of gold and gems and they had access to gold and gems. One such throne was given by Siva to Vikramaditya.

Then that assembly shone, due to the presence of Rama, the way, like a clear autumn night with nakshtaras and grahas shines because of the moon.

Valmiki was specially fond of the S’arad Rtu (Autumn Season), and has written a whole passage describing it elsewhere.

When Dasaratha gazed on Rama, he felt that he was looking at a well-adorned version of himself in a mirror. आदर्शतलसंस्थितम्.

See Also : Ancient India and Glass.  One of things that puzzles some people is that Ancient India had glass (glass beads and glass bangles have been found and ancient Indians had astronomy and astronomical instruments., yet no glass lenses, telescopes/mirrors have been found. I think it is because only the rishis like Bharadwaja and astronomers like Maya had the instruments. The normal people had the beads and bangles and there were  far more normal people than rishis.)

Then Dasaratha addressed Rama as Kasyapa would address Indra. ” You are the excellent son of my eldest and virtuous wife. That is why you are dear to all these people. You shall recieve the position of the crown-price, when Pushya Nakshatram is in conjunction with the moon. – पुष्ययोगेन”.

If a single star has to be identified as Pushya (Tishya), then 17bCnc/SAO-116569/HD-69267/ is the best candidate. The brightness of this star is 3.52. Arab name is Al Tarf. The adhipati (ruler) of this star is Brhaspati (the guru of the devas).

Dasaratha’s advice to his son :

Dasaratha said “Though you are virtuous I should still like to give you some advice. Be always modest. Conquer your senses. Leave off all the evil habits that arise out of desire and anger. In direct and indirect dealings keep your people, ministers and servants happy. Collect and store food and weaponry in granaries and ammunition store houses. Keeping your people happy in this way (without food shortages) will ensure that your friends will shine like the immortal Devatas.”

Hearing this, Rama’s friends raced off to tell his mother, Kausalya the good news. She was so pleased that she gifted them with cows, gold and gems. Then Sri Rama respectfully took leave of his father and went back to his radiant palace. the assembly took leave of Dasaratha and went home.

Authorship and Copyright Notice : All Rights Reserved : Satya Sarada Kandula

 

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