CHAPTER 1
DASARATHA RESOLVES TO CROWN RAMA KING
Satrughna was invited by Bharata to be his companion during his visit to his uncle, Yudhajit. The Lord of the Kekayas loved his nephew as his own son. He entertained him with presents of noble horses, ornaments, dresses and banquets. Yet Bharata stayed there only because his brother Satrughna was with him. Their life was a happy one at the court of King Asvapati.
All along the aged Dasaratha yearned for the bright presence of the princes. “It is grievous to be parted from my sons, Bharata and Satrughna. They are attached to one another even as Indra and Varuna. All my riches and power and splendor are nothing when my eyes cannot rest upon them”.
He looked upon his sons as four arms sprung from his body. In his loving heart they found an equal place. But Rama drew Dasaratha towards him by the might of his countless perfections. Aditi was the happy mother of Indra. She did not shine with brighter radiance than Kausalya. She was the thrice blessed mother of Rama, the Lord Vishnu.
Rama was a dream of beauty. He was the soul of valour. He was free from envy. He was like his father in character, conduct and tastes. His speech was soft and gentle. It was the index of his serene heart. No one was known to speak to him harshly. Rama never spoke back. He was never provoked to taunts. The lightest act of service from any was never forgotten by him. But the evils others did him never left the slightest trace on his memory. For, was he not the Soul of the universe, the Lord of matter and its illusions?
Rama ever sought the company and conversation of good men. His thoughts were ever engaged in the solution of the problems afflicting humanity. He was pleasant of speech. He was the first to address the others however low they might be in the social scale. He had countless might to destroy the foes. Yet his heart was ever meek. He would never soil his lips with an untruth. Even when telling a harmless tale, he would not speak untruth. He ever advanced to meet the elders with reverence. Every one of his subjects was an object of his special care. His heart ever went out in pity and compassion to all alike. Anger was sternly kept in control by him. The needy and the afflicted found a warm corner in his heart. He knew the mystery of Law and Duty in general and detail. He offered refuge to all beings that should need it. He never coveted for the possessions of others. He showed mercy, compassion and protection to those that sought it. And stern repression of the wicked was his prime duty. It was the surest way to win fame. He was the master of every art and science. Yet he never wasted his time in idle games of pastimes. His sould turned away in disgust from all idle and coarse talk. Brihaspati is the counsellor and priest of Indra. Rama was like Brihaspati in weighty speech and quick reply. He possessed perfect health and peace of heart. He was a lovely youth, strong and hardy. Men hung on the honeyed words that flowed from his lips. He studied the Sacred Law. He knew well the right time and place for the study of it. At a glance, Rama read into the innermost hearts of others. He could tell at a glance others strength and weakness, their merits and their faults.
Prince Rama was dowered with every excellence and perfection. He was dearer to his subjects than their very breath.
He sat at the feet of the best and ablest masters. And he learned from them the secrets of every art and science. He kept the prescribed vows and observances. He duly obtained permission from his teachers to close the student’s career. It was to take upon the heavier responsibilities of a householder. He was well-versed in Vedic lore. He excelled his famed father in two things. They were the proficiency in the art of war and bowmanship. He gloried in his proud and spotless lineage. He was of unruffled heart and unclouded intellect. He was the centre of everything good and beneficient. He was straight of heart, speech and act. He had a phenomenal memory. He possessed infinite resource and tact. He was an expert in the discharge of civil business. He was respectful to all. His face never betrayed the counsel of his heart. His councillors were very clever. His heart went out in adoration of to the Gods and to the teachers. His knowledge of the Eternal Verities was clear and profound. He kept away from the company of the foolish and the ways of evil-hearted. He was softly slow and deliberate of speech. No one was more aware of his faults better. No one was more aware of the weakness of his kingdom and of his enemies. The Vedas and Vedangas, the thirty-two sciences, and sixty-four arts were mastered by him in detail. He was ever assiduous in attracting friends, refugees and good men. He fulfilled their wishes in consonance with the laws of kingly polity. He knew when to punish a man and where. He filled the royal confers with the wealth ungrudgingly offered by his loving subjects. In this, he was like a busy bee which extracted honey from the blooming flowers delicately without disturbing them. He followed the traditions of royalty in spending a quarter, or a half or three-quarters of his income. He was far and away learned in religious lore and in the lay literature of his age. He was well-versed in Sanskrit, Prakrit and other dialects of his age. He put his heart into everything he that he did. He was proficient in painting, vocal and instrumental music, sculpture, poetry and other departments of the fine arts. Works of charity had the first claim upon his wealth. His friends, relations and dependents came next. A third portion was set apart as reproductive capital. And what remained, he spent upon himself. None excelled him in the art of training and guiding the horses, elephants and camels. He knew to perfection the innermost mysteries of the Science of the Bow.
Atirathas were the foremost warriors of his time. They looked upon Rama as their Master. Rama placed himself at the head of his troops. He advanced fearlessly upon the embattled ranks of the enemy. He pierced into their intricate and impenetrable vyuhas (arrays). And he scattered them like chaff before the wind. He was expert in marshalling soldiers into various and wonderful arrayas. Men nor gods nor asuras ever dreamt of standing up to him. He put away from himself pride, envy, ill-temper and calumny. The three gunas, Satva, Rajas and Tamas or rhythm, action and inertia never reflected varying motions in his heart. He was the master of the three gunas. He ever remained calm, serene and pure. He was patient like Mother Earth. Rama was the dearest object to the three worlds. He was profoundly wise as Brihaspati. He was valiant like Indra. He drew to himself the hearts of his people and King Dasaratha. The glory of his perfection illumined the utmost corner of the world. He occupied the foremost place in the thoughts of the people. They eagerly looked forward to the day when he would reign over them.
Dasaratha looked Rama with a fond eye and said to himself, “Long beyond count have been my days upon earth. Now I must see Rama rule in my stead. I would like to see sooner than later Rama’s brow encircled with the crown of the Ikshvakus. My people love Rama more than myself. He is like the God of Death and Indra in might. In wisdom and knowledge Rama is like Brihaspati. He is strong of heart. He is unshaken like the Himalaya. It behoves me to close my long life and crown my son, Rama. And then I might, with a contented heart, take my place in the Mansions of the Blessed.”
Dasaratha next took counsel with his ministers and advisers. They were loud in their praises of Rama. And he decided to resign his place in favour of his eldest son. He urged upon his counsellors the necessity of hastening the happy day. The age weighed very heavy upon him. And ominous portents in the three worlds warned him of coming calamity. Verily the moment was approaching when the world was approaching when the world was to enter upon a new era of peace and prosperity. All the more reason why he should be quick in bringing it about. Messengers were despatched to invite the kings under him. Messengers were also sent to the leaders of men in town and village, Dasaratha’s friends, near and far. He sent no word to the king of the Kekayas or to Janaka. They lived far away. Those to whom the messengers were sent readily responded. They came to grace the occasion. Like Brahma, Dasarath sat in his sat on his royal throne in all his pomp and splendour. And he gave audience to them who waited to pay him their respects. They entered the vast hall. And they sat there according to the rules of precedence. All eyes were respectfully turned toward Dasaratha.
