RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN—CHAPTER 2
VOX POPULI (No: 1)
Then king Dasaratha addressed the expectant audience. His sonorous voice filled the spacious hall. “Kings, friends, my people! Ikshvaku, Raghu, and other ancestors of mine watched over the empire of Kosala. May I be allowed to think that I have done my level best to the people? But years past count lie heavy upon me. I have tread upon the intricate paths of kingly polity with unsleeping care. I have been watching over your welfare. I am not like king Yayati. I have put away all hankering after pleasures of happy youth. It is but just that I give rest to this body of mine. It has served me so faithfully for sixty thousand years. My broad shoulders have borne for unnumbered centuries this mighty burden of the state. My shoulders are now wearied beyond words. It is no light task even for young and temperate. It is beyond the dreams of such as are not stern masters of their senses. Statecraft requires various kinds of accomplishments and means. For very long years I have borne this huge orb of state and its attendant cares. I must be allowed a respite. I mean to place my son in charge of the kingdom and enjoy a short period of quiet. Only if the Brahmanas here, my friends and my people give their unqualified assent to my proposal. Rama, my firstborn son, have been fixed upon to take care of my place as heir-apparent. Rama has the valour of Indra and his skill. The foemen's cities and their pride fall before him like ripened heads of corn. He takes after me in all goodly graces and excellence. He is the foremost champion of Right. He is the prince of men for power and might. I have set my heart on crowning him as heir-apparent. This is to take place on the auspicious day when the moon is in conjunction with Pushya. The three worlds will rejoice under the shadow of Rama’s minghty arm. Grant me to make him your ruler. Grant me to make over this weighty crown and its and its attendant responsibilities. It will be the dawn of a happy era for the earth and my heart. My heart will grow with indescribable joy. I pray for your consent only if it seems to you that I have formed this plan after mature deliberation. If it seems to you otherwise, pray advise me the wiser course. It may be that this seems right in my eyes. But I am sure that greater good will come of it if I take counsel with you. You are moved only by considerations of the common weal.”
The princes assembled heard Dasaratha in rapt attention. They answered him in glad acclaim. It was as the gay peacocks rejoice at the welcome sound of surcharged clouds. The vast crowd lifted its voice in mighty applause. The echoes of which shook the huge dome of the audience hall to its very base.
Then Maharshi Vasishtha and the holy Brahmanas, the invited kings and princes took deep counsel together. The face of Dasaratha convinced them that he regarded it as an act of duty to nominate Rama in his lifetime. And with one accord they gave an answer to Dasaratha. “Lord of men! Long years you have reigned over us in glory. And you have grown grey in consequence. So we pray that you install Rama as your heir-apparent. We have no doubt that your care and solicitude for the welfare of this kingdom. Long centuries have rolled over you. But our eyes yearn to see Rama riding along in royal pomp on the huge state-elephant.”
Dasaratha did not feign to catch the drift of their appeal. And he said, “Kings and people! I do not really see how you can desire to have Rama as your Lord and ruler. When you yourself know my able and watchful care over you I do not see how you can desire to have Rama. I pray you to tell me the truth of it.”
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