RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN—CHAPTER 02
AYODHYAKANDA
VOX POPULI (No: 3)
Adversity has never been able to dim the spotless mirror of Rama’s truthful soul. He is the foremost bowman of any age. He is ever the humble servant of the Elders. He serves them with restrained senses and smiling speech. His feet are planted firmly on the Rock of Duty. The fierce waves of misfortune do not harm him. He enters with heart and soul into everything he desires for the people’s welfare. He turns away from the light talk and social inanities that good men condemn. In quick wit and repartee, he exceeds Brihaspati. He has star-like eyes. Their beauty is heightened by his arched brows. We take him as Mahavishnu come down to play among His dear children. Death has no terrors for him. He is calm and self-possessed. This makes his foes flee before him. His fiery energy enables him to pierce into the intricate battle arrays of his foes. He scatters them before him like chaff. This is the case even if the enemies are gods and asuras. None knows better than he the deep mysteries of kingly polity. He knows the surest way to compass the happiness and weal of his subjects. The joys of sensual life have never any attraction for him.
His wrath or favour was never known to be fruitless. The guilty ever found his hand heavy upon them. But the innocent never came in for a share of his displeasure. He is unruffled and patient and has other countless excellences that claim the applause of his people. These excellences shed a halo of glory round him. We are convinced that he is sent down on earth by the Giver of good to be your son. The Almighty blessed Mareechi with his boy Kasyapa. Like that He has given Rama to you as a son. Gods and Asuras, Gandharvas and Uragas, kings and sages, citizens and provincials, your people and strangers ever lift their hands in favour of Rama. They all wish that Rams’s days on earth shall never grow less. And that fame an goodly life, health and strength might ever wait upon him. Stately matrons, girls and maidans offer devout and careful worship to every god that their darling Rama may be crowned as heir-apparent. Lord of us all! It behoves you to fulfil the dearest wishes of their hearts. Our eyes hunger for the hour when they can feast upon the sight of Rama enthroned as king in your place--Rama the best and brightest of your sons, Rama of dark hue, Rama the terror of his foes. None have been known to seek you in vain. Hence our earnest prayer that you crown your long and glorious reign with an act of supreme grace by placing Rama on the throne. Let not the envious time come between us and the realisation of our hopes.
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