RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN--AYODHYAKANDA--CHAPTER 16, SECOND PART

          RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN—AYODHYAKANDA—CHAPTER 16, SECOND PART

Seeta stood upon a higher level than Rama. Rama spent months in the womb of his mother. But it was not the case with Seeta. She rose to view at the end of a ploughshare. It was when Janaka prepared the ground for a holy sacrificial rite. So Raghava respected her very much. Rama had cast round her shoulders a rare necklace. He had touched her feet in sweet entreaty and persuaded her to spend some time in his absence. Now Seeta cast love-laden looks. Her home was ever in the heart of Rama. And she followed him as far as etiquette allowed. She called upon Rama’s beloved head every blessing she could think of. “I pray that no evil eye rest upon all this boundless beauty and loveliness. May Gods keep away from my lord every harm and evil. May His Majesty place you on the throne and crown you in all pomp. It should be like the Demiurge placed the crown of the three worlds on Indra’s head. I long to see you in sacrificial attire! You would take your initiatory vow. You would be rubbed with holy butter on your limbs. They would put a deerskin around your shoulders. And they would also give you a deer horn. If ever Vasishtha ordained any vow or observance, you would mortify yourself fourfold. If your teacher told you that you should not allow a woman to touch you, you would bathe if my skirt brushes you lightly. May Indra watch over you in the East. May Yama watch over you in the South. May Varuna watch over you in the West. And may Kubera watch over you in the North.”

Rama took leave of Sita. He completed the preliminaries to his coronation. He came out of his seraglio with Sumantra. It was like a noble lion coming out of its rocky lair. Lakshmana awaited them at the gates. In the central hall, Rama came upon his friends and gave them his kind looks and fair greetings. Then he got on the chariot of pure silver. The chariot was very bright and commodious. The chariot was richly wrought in gem and gold. It blinded the eye of the noonday sun! Rare tiger-skins covered the seats. Horses of the purest breed were yoked to the chariot. And the noise of the wheels was like the rumbling of clouds. Raghava sprang upon it. He drove the chariot to his father’s mansion. The sight was like Indra in his car drawn by the green horses! Like the roaring distant thunder among the hills, Rama’s chariot rolled. Like the Lord of Night springing from the Rising mountain, Rama proceeded on his way. His other self, Lakshmana guarded his back. He held in one hand the umbrella of state and the Chamara in the other. The assembled people raised a shout of joy. The shout rent the very skies. Crowds followed Rama upon fleet horses, camels, elephants, and chariots. Bands of chosen veterans marched before him. Their only care was Rama’s safety. There were sweet strains of martial music. The bards and heralds sang their plaudits. There were war-cries of the chosen veterans. They all rose upon the air in pleasant confusion. Rama marched along the royal road. Countless ladies were in costly attire. They scattered fragrant flowers upon their beloved prince. And they extolled him high in the joy of their hearts.” Enhancer of Kausalya’s delight! Proceed to take the reigns of this fortunate Kosala. Your mother’s heart will swell to see you seated on the throne. Again there is none that fortune holds so dear as our Sita. She must have laid up merits in her past lives to raise her to the rank of your wife. She is like Rohini ever inseparable from the Moon.” Thus many dames and matrons spoke. And Rama loved them all for their sweet and whole-hearted devotion.

The crowds spoke in high praise of Rama; “Rama is the gem of his glorious line. He richly deserves the love and esteem of Dasaratha. Our hopes are going to be realised. Rama is going to be crowned. It is the greatest good that can ever come our way. When Rama becomes our King, we will not know what it is to want or grieve.” Rama heard them all. And he resolved to deserve better their love and confidence. He drove through huge squares dense with bulls, elephants and cows, horses and cars. Sweet strains of festive music mingled with the joyful neighs of horses. The trumpeting of elephants and the solemn benedictive chants of Brahmanas mingled together. So he drove along the royal road, even as the Guardian of Riches, toward his father’s palace.