ayOdhya excitedly anticipates s'ri rAmA's coronation.

So Far : 

Sri Rama’s Ancestor, Vaivasvata Manu was a Dravidian King : Srimad Bhagavatam. Sri Rama broke Siva’s bow and wedded Sita Devi. He defeated Parasurama who challenged him. Rama and Sita came to Ayodhya. Bharata left for his maternal uncle’s house(Kekeya – pakisthan) taking with him the sinless and powerful Satrughna. Rama was most handsome and brave. In virtues, he excelled his father Dasaratha. With a desire to see Sri Rama installed as a king during his life time, Dasaratha invited all the leaders (kings and chieftans of  Kosala) and sought consensus for making Sri Rama, Yuvaraja (Crown Prince). Then Arrangements were made for Sri Rama’s coronation as a crown prince and Dasaratha sent for Rama to tell him about his coronation. After the assembly was adjourned, Dasaratha again sent for Sri Rama privately to discuss both austerity rites and cautionary measures. He explained his reason for wanting to complete the coronation in Bharata’s absence. Then Sri Rama went to tell Kausalya the good news of his coronation and found her praying there with Sumitra, Lakshmana and Sita. He declared that he would share all his royal fortune with Lakshmana.

ayOdhyakAnDa 5th sargam : http://valmiki.iitk.ac.in/index.php?id=translation

One of the things that reflects Valmiki‘s nature are his beautiful and simple similies. His love of nature and respect for indra (Hero, God, Astronomical Point, War Strategist) come across on every page. So pay attention to the similies as well as to the story!

dasaratha दशरथ, summoned his purOhita vasiSTha. He requested him whose wealth was his tapas to advise his son rAma श्री राम and his daughter-in-law sItA dEvI सीता देवी to prepare for the coronation by fasting. Fasting for fame and getting the kingdom. (Even today we fast before important religious ceremonies for our welfare!)

vAlmIki tells us that vasiSTa was not just a tapOdhana, but also a vEdavid (knower of vEdAs), mantrakOvida (expert in mantrAs) and a sudRDhavrata (firm in good vratAs (disciplined religious performances)). vEda vyAsa made a whole manDala in the Rg vEda aout of vasiSTha’s mantras.

Vasishtha went in a chariot worthy of brahmins to Rama’s palace.

Rama’s palace was like a ‘mass of bright white clouds’.

Vasishtha’s chariot came within three yards of the palace and Rama hastened out to greet him respectfully and help him out of the chariot holding his hand.

vasiSTa told rAma to fast along with sIta, because on the morrow the king das’aratha would coronate him like ‘nahuSa coronated yayAti‘! He made rAma and vaidEhI fast along with mantras.

After vasiSTha left having been properly worshipped by rAma, rAma spent some time talking sweetly to his friends. And with their permission he went inside after receiving their respects.

हृष्टनारीनरयुतं रामवेश्म तदा बभौ।
यथा मत्तद्विजगणं प्रफुल्लनलिनं सर:।।2.5.14।।

Then the palace of rAma, filled with happy men and women shone “like a lake full of blossoming lotuses and flocks of intoxicated birds.”

vasiSTha saw the important roads (rAjamArga) were jammed full of groups and groups of happy curious people! (Like bangalore roads only happier!)

The sound that rose from the groups coalescing and shouting happily was ‘like the roar of the sea’.

All the streets had been wept and sprinkled with water and decorated with flowers, garlands, flags and banners much like it is done in some villages today.

All the men of ayOdhya along with their women, children and weak (aged) ones, waited eagerly for rAma’s coronation but did not want the sun to rise (since all the fun would be over too soon)! They anticipated that festival of ayOdhya which was like an ornament to the people and a cause for their increased joy.

vasiSTha slowly made his way through the crowds, dividing the ocean of people into streams with his chariot.

He ascended the royal palace which was ‘like a mountain peak covered by white clouds‘ and met das’aratha as dEvaguru bRhaspati meets s’akra (indra).

The king rose to greet vasiSTha and enquire about the success of his mission. His courtiers also rose similarly to pay their respects to the purOhita.

The king took leave of his guru and left for his inner apartment ‘like a lion entering a mountain cave’.

‘As the moon illumines the star studded sky’ , das’aratha illuminated his inner palace which was filled with beautifully attired women ’like the palace of the great indra.‘

satyA

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