389. Sri Rama pattabhishekam.

             Bharata then told Rama "You gave this kingdom to me as desired by my mother. I now return the same to you. I cannot carry this heavy burden anymore than a young ox would sustain a load carried forward by a strong bull all alone.

            "With great difficulty I somehow administrated this kingdom. I cannot match your capability. It is like a donkey trying to follow a galloping horse or a crow a wild goose. 

           "O my mighty bro! Today, let the world see you when crowned, like the sun with its glowing splendor, shining brilliantly at noon. May you relax and wake-up too, to the sounds of an ensemble of musical instruments, the tinkling of ornaments strung with tiny bells and worn around the waist and anklets as well as sweet invocation of songs."

       Rama said with a smile "Be it so". Thereafter, on instructions from Shatrughna, skilled barbers with gentle hands who can do their work with a good speed, encircled Rama all round. Bharata, having bathed first, the mighty Lakshmana, Sugreeva and Vibhishan took bath. Rama had his matted locks disentangled and bathed. He stood there, shining with splendour, adorned with picturesque garlands, smeared with sandal pastes of various colours and clothed in costly and wonderful raiment.

         Shatrughna made arrangements for personal adornment for Rama and Lakshmana. Then, all the widows of Dasharatha themselves personally adorned Seetha beautifully. Thereupon, the delightful Kausalya  adorned with zeal all the wives of the vanaras.

       Later, the charioteer Sumantra came in the chariot which was absolutely beautiful in all respects. Seeing the charming chariot, which emitted immaculate splendour like that of the sun, standing before him,  Rama ascended it.

       Sugreeva and Hanuman, after taking their bath, wore beautiful raiment as well as sparkling ear rings and started. Endowed with all types of ornaments as well as charming ear-rings, the wives of Sugreeva together with Seetha moved out, longing as they were, to see the city.

       In Ayodhya, the ministers of the king, having placed the priest in their front, planned everything correctly.

      Then all those ministers started from the city to where Rama was. Rama, mounting the excellent chariot sallied forth to the city. Bharata took up the reins. Shatrughna held the parasol on Rama's head. Lakshmana winnowed a fan. Vibhishana standing nearby, held a white fan, shining brilliantly like the moon.

    Then, in the sky, groups of sages, devas along with many other divinities praised Rama. The sweet and melodious reverberation of their voice was heard. Sugreeva mounted an elephant named Shatrunjaya  looking like a mountain.

     Assuming human form and adorned with all types of ornaments, vanaras sallied forth, mounting on elephants. Rama accompanied by the sounds of conches buzzing in the ears and sounds of kettle-drums banging in the ears, proceeded to the city of Ayodhya.

     Then, the people of Ayodhya seeing Rama arriving on a chariot, with attendants walking in front were  thrilled to bits. Felicitating Rama and greeted in reciprocation by Rama, they followed Rama, who was surrounded by his brothers. ministers, brahamanas and other citizens, Rama was shining like the moon among the stars.

       Rama moving slowly in his chariot was surrounded by musicians having musical instruments cymbals and Swastika-musical instruments in their hands walking in front and uttering auspicious songs. Men with grains of rice mixed with turmeric making the rice appearing gold in colour, cows, maidens along with brahmanas having balls of sweets in their hands, walked in front of Rama.

       Rama was telling about his friendship established with Sugreeva, the power of Hanuman and the great act of the vanaras to his ministers. This was repeated to their neighbors, who communicated  to their neighbors. In a short time all the citizens of Ayodhya came to know about it and were astonished.

        Rama also explained to his ministers as to how Vibhishana became one of his close friends. 
      Rama entered Ayodhya crowded with happy and rejoiced people, together with the vanaras. Flags were found hoisted in houses. Rama reached the beautiful palace of the Ikshvaku kings.

        On entering the palace, Rama the prince offered salutation to Kausalya, Sumitra and Kaikeyi and told Bharata "I want Sugreeva to stay in this palace during his stay here."

        Sugreeva was very much pleased by that honor. He then gave four golden jars encrusted with jewels, to the four leaders of vanaras viz. Jambavan, Hanuman, Vegadarshi and Rishabha, telling them to get these  jars filled with water from the four oceans respectively. It is needless to mention that they did.

        Then, Shatrughna, accompanied by the counselors, reported to Vasishta, their chief priest, about that water intended for Rama's coronation brought by those vanara.

           Vasishta, Vamadeva, Kashyapa, Katyayana, Suyajna, Gautam and Vijaya consecrated Rama with clear and fragrant water.

        Vasishta and others, with much delight got him consecrated first, with brahmanas officiating as priests and by virgins, ministers, warriors, as well as merchants sprinkling the sap of all kinds of medicinal herbs, with the four gods the guardians of the worlds, standing in the air and with all the gods assembled there, sprinkling the sap on Rama.
          Rama was then adorned with the crown adorned by his predecessors. 

       Shatrughna proudly held over his dear brother Rama, a white and charming parasol. Sugreeva the king of vanaras, was holding a white whisk and Vibhishana, another whisk shining like the moon. At the instance of Indra, Vayu presented Rama, a golden garland consisting of a hundred lotuses shining brilliantly, as well as a chain of pearls, adorned with gems and endowed with several types of precious stones.

         On that occasion of the coronation-ceremony the ganddharvas gracefully sang and troupes of Apsaras danced.

        Rama first gave away to Brahmanas, a hundred thousand horses and cows that have lately calved as well as a hundred bulls. He also gave  Brahmanas, thirty crores of gold coins, all kinds of very costly jewels and raiment.

       Rama gave Sugreeva, a beautiful chaplet, studded with plenty of gems, looking like a beam of sun-light. Angada got a bracelet worn on upper arm, conspicuously studded with cat's eye gems and adorned with jewels and gems.

      Seetha was presented an excellent string of pearls, furnished with superior gems, shining like a beam of moon-light and two clean and beautiful raiment and lovely ornaments. Seetha took the string of pearls from her neck with the obvious intention of donating it to someone. Holding he string and looking at Hanuman, she seemed to be pondering as to whom she should present that pearl necklace.

        Guessing correctly the mind of his dear wife, Rama told Seetha fondly  "Dear Seetha! Give the pearl-necklace to a person, with whom you are pleased and who has sharpness, firmness, renown, dexterity, competence, modesty, prudence, virility, prowess and intelligence."

       Seetha then gave that pearl necklace to Hanuman without any more hesitation. Hanuman, by wearing that necklace, which was as white as a heap of moonlight-beams, was shining brilliantly as a mountain covered by a white cloud.
     The king and the queen then honoured all the elder vanaras and others who were foremost among the vanaras,  suitably with raiment and ornaments.

      Rama decided to honour those who, in his assessment are more special than others. He, therefore, specially honored Mainada, Dvivida and Nila  articles according to their inclinations. Rama, then suitably honoured Vibhishana, Sugreeva, Hanuman, Jamabavan and all other eminent vanaras with desired objects and abundant gifts.

       Then Rama,  after ruling the kingdom righteously for quite some time told Lakshmana "O Lakshmana, rule with me this kingdom as Prince Regent"

      Despite his refusal, Lakshmana was appointed to the office of the Prince Regent. Rama then consecrated Bharata. Rama propitiated the gods by performing Paundarika, Ashvamedha, Vajapeya and other Yajnas many times.

    Having enjoyed the kingship for ten thousand years, Rama performed a hundred Ashvamedha yagnas, in which good horses were sacrificed and numerous gifts bestowed. Rama ruled his kingdom with Lakshmana as his companion.

        While Rama was ruling his kingdom, there was not a single widow to lament, nor there was any danger from wild animals, nor any fear of diseases.

     There was not a single thief or robber. No one felt worthless nor did old people perform obsequies concerning youngsters. Every creature felt pleased. Every one was intent on virtue. In the kingdom of Rama all his subjects survived for thousands of years, with thousands of their progeny, all free of illness and grief.

      In the Ramrajya, the talks of the people centered round Rama, Rama and Rama. The world became Rama's world. The trees there were bearing flowers and fruits regularly, without any injury by pests and insects. The clouds were raining in time and the wind was delightful to the touch. Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras were performing their own duties, satisfied with their own work and bereft of any greed. Everyone was intent on virtue and lived without telling lies. In fact all of them forgot the word 'lie'. 

        Each and every citizen was absolutely virtuous. Rama was ruling his kingdom for very many years.

    With this the glorious Epic Ramayana of Valmiki is      concluded.

=======================================================