2.17. Delighted by the fleeting glimpse of rAma!

Hari Om.

Let us begin the seventeenth sarga of the ayOdhyakAnDam with offering our prostrations at the lotus feet of SrIrAma and our sathguru.

The king daSaratha is trapped in dharma. He certainly doesn’t like even the thought of parting with rAma for a while, let alone banishing for fourteen years, all the same he can’t go back on the unconditional boons he has conferred on queen kaikEyi! As a result, he kept cursing her and accusing her of being greedy and insensitive. The night passed and loyal minister sumantra came into wake up the king for the all important crowning ceremony. The king met him from the other side of the curtain and the queen ordered to fetch rAma which the king agreed with through his silence.

Minister sumantra goes to fetch rAma and there mahaRshi vAlkmIki takes an opportunity to describe the luxurious abode of rAma. He is preparing us for the upcoming episodes through that. Minister sumantra conveys to rAma that the king along with queen kaikEyi want to see him. The prince at once takes leave of sItA and sets out for the palace to meet the king. sItA sees him off at the gate and on the way as rAma’s convoy moves through the highway, the thrilled citizens of ayOdhya line up on either side of the road and perch on top of the houses to catch a glimpse of him. They can’t thank their fortunes enough for having secured rAma! Or have they? Onwards…

Riding on the glorious chariot, rAma passed through the decorated highway. There was fragrance in the air. Thick crowds lined up on the sides of the highway and hailed him as he passed by. There were mansions on either sides of the highway, well decorated with flowers and banners. Heaps of sandalwood and agaruwood were permeating lovely fragrance. The structures by the highway dotted with variety of crystals, pearls, flowers, silk clothes and verily looked like the path of gods in the heaven. There were citizens and well wishers of rAma everywhere who were uttering blessings to him. He responded to each of them appropriately and proceeded further. They said a variety of things expressing their joy. Some exhorted him to rule in conformity with the hallowed ikshvAku lineage while others felt that once the radiant rAma takes over, he would surely rule in a manner that will pale the rule of his predecessors! Yet others felt that they would need neither food nor any other sustenance once rAma takes the reigns. That would be adequate to fill their beings. Unconcerned and indifferent with all such praises being lavished at him, rAma proceeded to meet the king.

Image result for rama — rAma on his way to the palace. Pic from here.

The citizens so smitten by the love of rAma continued to look in the direction rAma has gone even after he rode past them! They were unable to turn their necks away!! Whoever didn’t catch a glimpse of rAma and on whom rAma’s glance didn’t fall cursed themselves, even the worlds pitied and blamed them for their misfortune! Why, even they fied at themselves!

न हि तस्मान्मनः कश्चिच्चक्षुषी वा नरोत्तमात्।।2.17.13।।

नर श्शक्नोत्यपाक्रष्टुमतिक्रान्तेऽपि राघवे।

यश्च रामं न पश्येत्तु यं च रामो न पश्यति।।2.17.14।।

निन्दित स्सर्वल्लोकेषु स्वात्माऽप्येनं विगर्हते।

The righteous rAma was so loved and adored by one and all since he showered compassion on all equally irrespective of their caste or creed. He was so loved! Riding past all the adoring crowds, temples and other monuments, rAma entered the palace.

The palace looked verily like the palace of lord indra, absolutely ethereal, majestic, imposing like the peaks of the kailAsa mountain, touching the skies, studded with gems and stones. He rode his chariot through the first three courtyards protected by bowmen on horses. Then he got down from the chariot and walked through the remaining two courtyards. At this point he sent back the crowds of well wishers and friends that were following him and entered into the inner chambers of his father.

As rAma entered the inner chambers to meet his father, the citizens were filled with delight. They waited there for his return to catch a glimpse again – just like the ocean awaits the advent of moon!

तस्मिन् प्रविष्टे पितुरन्तिकं तदा जन स्स सर्वो मुदितो नृपात्मजे।

प्रतीक्षते तस्य पुनः स्म निर्गमं यथोदयं चन्द्रमसस्सरित्पतिः।।2.17.22।।

[Thus the sea of people awaited the advent of rAmachandra]

Here we conclude the seventeenth sarga of the ayOdhya kAnDam of SrImath vAlmiKi rAmAyaNam and humbly offer it at the lotus feet of SrIrAma. Hari: Om!

jAi SrIrAma.