Thursday 10 January 2013

36. Dasharatha seeks and gets the approval of all for making Rama as his successor.

       King Dasharatha addressed the gathering in a friendly, pleasing, clear and loud voice  "It is well known that my kingdom was ruled by all my predecessors as if it was their son.  I desire that my successor should also be like that.  Following the path established by my ancestors, I have always protected my people with alertness and to the best of my ability.  Now I have become quite old and ipso facto tired.
      "All of you know very well that this body in which I am living in, is many thousands of years old.  I am sure that all of you will agree that it requires rest.  
      "This burden of worldly righteousness is very heavy.  This can be sustained only by royal power with qualities like courage and valour.  A person who has no control over his senses cannot carry this burden.  I believe that my son Rama has all the required qualities.  I therefore, desire to  entrust the rule to my son for the benefit of the people, provided all of you who are very learned and close to me agree.
     "My eldest son Rama is acclaimed by one and all as equal to Devendra in valour.  He has conquered the cities of enemies.  His qualities are in no way inferior to mine.  Without any misgivings, I would like to  appoint Rama, who shines like the moon together with Pushya star, who is the best among the protectors of righteousness and who is an excellent man, to the realm of prince.  If Rama becomes the lord, the three worlds also will have the best master.  He is said to be a glorious man.  I opine that Rama is the most fittest lord for the kingdom.  By entrusting this kingdom to Rama, I well feel quite good and extremely happy that this kingdom got a master distinctly superior to any one ruled it so far.
      "I am telling this after giving it a lot of thought.  Give your consent if you feel this to be good and befitting.  If you have any other thoughts in this regard, please discuss the same with your peers here.  Thinking by impartial and  neutral people will be distinctive and well developed through grinding of opposing views."
      Those delighted kings complimented the king Dasharatha for his announcement.  That building appeared trembling by the sweet and reverberating sound made by the gathering of people there with their fond uproar.  Brahmans, important people, urban and rural citizens came to a consensus after discussing inter se and told the king  "Your Majesty!  All of us entirely agree for Rama becoming our next king.  We, therefore have absolutely no objection for inaugurating Rama as the ruling prince.  Now we want to see Rama."
      King Dasaratha, after hearing their words, spoke as follows as though he did not know their minds earlier and sought to know their true intention. 
      "Oh kings and other learned Brahmans and gentlemen!  It seems  that you want Raghava to be your next king just because I desire so.  Please let me know your real opinion and wish in this matter.  Why do you desire to see my son as the prince?  Please let me know if you think that there is someone else in our kingdom who is more capable than my son Rama."
       The entire assemblage spoke with one voice "Oh king!  There is no one in this kingdom or anywhere in the whole world more capable than Rama.  Your son Rama alone has all the auspicious virtues.  We shall tell you now the various virtues of your son Rama.  His qualities are equal to those of Gods.  They are liked by all.  They give happiness to all.  Rama is equal to Devendra in heavenly qualities.  He has true valour.  He is greater than all the kings born in Ikshvaaku clan.  Rama is the world renowned gentleman.  He is keenly interested in truth and righteousness.  Only Rama can make both righteousness and wealth combine without separation.  He is equal to moon in making the people happy; equal to the earth in the quality of forgiveness; equal to Brihaspati in wisdom and verily to Devendra in valour.
      "Rama knows all righteousness.  He is true to his word and has good character.  He has no envy.  He has patience.  He consoles those who are in trouble.  He speaks good words.  He has gratitude.  He keeps senses under control.  Rama is soft natured; has stable mind, always an auspicious man.  He speaks truthful and loving words to all.  He worships aged Brahmans endued with the knowledge of various sciences.  By that, his name, glory and splendor are growing in this world.  He is skilled in the use of various weapons known to celestials, demons and men.  He has duly concluded his vow of studying the various sciences and has systematically learnt all the Vedas along with its branches.  
      "Rama is the best in the world in the art of music.  He has best relatives.  He is gentle.  He is not weak in mind.  He has great wisdom.  Rama was trained in all matters from the best of Brahmans skilled in the art of righteousness and in the science of political economy.   Whenever there was a necessity to go to a battle to protect a village or a city, Rama went with Lakshmana and returned home only after a glorious victory."
      "After returning from battle, Rama goes to the citizens on an elephant or a chariot and inquires about their well being as though they were his own kinsmen, like a father does to his sons.  He asks about their wives and children, about the sacred fires, about their servants and students, always completely as per the due order.  Rama the best among men always asks us 'Are your disciples serving you by keenly performing their actions?'  
      "Rama feels very sad towards afflictions of men; and feels delighted in all functions celebrated by people on the occasions of child birth and the like, just as their own fathers do.  Rama speaks only truth.  He is a great hero.  He serves elders.  He always kept the senses under control.  Rama, who talks smilingly, protects righteousness in all ways.  Rama duly procures beneficent deeds.  He is not interested in wrangling talks.  He is an orator like Brihaspati by his replies and rejoinders.
      "Rama, who enchants the world, has beautiful eyebrows.  He has red and broad eyes.  He is absolutely like God Vishnu himself in strength, heroism and valour.  He knew the ins and outs of public administration.  His senses are not afflicted by passion.  He is capable of administering not only earth, but also the three worlds.  Rama's anger or mercy is not arbitrary at any time.  He kills those who are to be slain as per rules.  He is not angered at the innocents. 
      "He gladly bestows wealth to those with whom he is satisfied.  As the sun shines by his rays,  Rama shines by his qualities that are peaceful, enchanting and delightful to men.  All people desire Rama, who is endowed with this wealth of qualities, who has true valour, who is equal to presiding deities like Devendra, to be their lord.
      "Oh king Dasaratha! Rama is born to you as a son, because of your good fortune, and for the welfare of this world.  He has all the virtues befitting of a son, like Kasyapa, the son of Marichi.  All people in the state including those in the capital as well as those in the nearby and in the far off places, pray for a long life, good health and immense strength for Rama. 
      "Both young and aged women are praying with a stable mind each morning and evening to all the celestials, for the benefit of the renowned Rama.  We shall see Rama adorned with the princely kingdom.  Your son Rama has the complexion of a black lotus flower and annihilates all his enemies.  Let the wish of the people be fulfilled by your Majesty.  For our benefit, you gladly and immediately inaugurate your son Rama, who is equal to Vishnu, who is interested in the welfare of the entire world and who is possessing all the virtues."
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