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Hari Om.
Let us begin the second sarga of the ayOdhyakAnDam with offering our prostrations at the lotus feet of SrIrAma and our sathguru.
mahaRshi vAlmIki means business! He never loses focus on rAma at any point in this epic. His mission is to describe a complete human being in the epic as outlined in [1.1 The rAmAyaNam in brief] and so we see him relentlessly describing the events that highlight the characteristics of rAma. And so in the preceding sarga [2.1. Incomparable rAma of innumerable virtues], the description of the virtues that rAma embodied was made. The king is pleased with such a virtuous son and so has a desire to crown him the prince. He calls for the meeting of the council to discuss. What happens next? Onwards…
The council of the important citizens and tributary kings assembled and daSaratha rose to address them. His incomparable and booming voice resonated in the royal assembly like the thunder as he addressed the assembly with dignity and delight. He said – “it is well known to you that all my predecessors of the ikshvAku dynasty have always looked after the subjects of the kingdom as a father would look after his children. In the same spirit, I have strived every moment to the best of my abilities to bring happiness to the worlds by always being vigilant and mindful of the welfare of citizens. Serving under the shadow of this white royal umbrella for thousands of years, my body has attained old age and I desire rest for this worn out body. The ones who can’t control their senses cannot carry the burden and demands of the royalty and hence I am weary of carrying it any longer. After convincing this august assembly of my intention and about crowning my son to look after the welfare of the people I would like to retire.
My eldest son rAma has faithfully inherited every virtue of mine and he has the prowess of indra and is a conqueror. rAma is the foremost among the upholders of dharma and bright and pleasing as the moon when in conjuction with the star pushya. This elder brother of lakshmaNa deserves to rule and under his kingship, not only the kingdom but the three worlds will have an able protector. I will also be relieved of my anxiety by crowning him and handing over the responsibility of the welfare of people to the very capable rAma. I have arrived at this decision to crown rAma by consulting my with my counsellors and it is a decision which is favorable to me. However if you have any other proposals in the interest of the kingdom’s welfare, please do suggest. An unbiased and dispassionate debate is very welcome”.
The tributary kings and chiefs when they heard this well thought out and equally well articulated view of daSaratha about the heir apparent, they all screamed in great joy and their screams shook the royal assembly much like the screams of peacocks upon spotting the back clouds! Then they, having completely understood the points of view of the king and having complete confidence in his judgment, deliberated the decision of daSaratha among themselves and arrived at an unanimous declaration. Then they address the king thus in one voice –
“O king, you have indeed aged several thousands of years. It is time to crown rAma as the prince regent of ayOdhya. We very much cherish to behold the wonderful sight of prince regent rAma mounted on a majestic elephant and under the shadow of the white parasol!
इच्छामो हि महाबाहुं रघुवीरं महाबलम्।
गजेन महताऽयान्तं रामं छत्रावृताननम्।।2.2.22।।
Hearing their unanimous resolution that came soon after his articulation, daSaratha, out of curiosity and in order to ascertain that their views are not influenced by his and that they indeed want to see rAma as the prince regent right from the bottom of their heart, feigned some ignorance and then asked them – “As soon as you heard my view, you have echoed the same to see rAma as the prince regent. I wonder if you are convinced about these words about rAma. When the earth is righteously being ruled by me why do you want to see rAma as the prince regent. Could you please elaborate?”
And then the spontaneous outpour of loving accolades from the citizens for rAma followed. The citizens from the cities and the villages who came there began –
“O king, there are innumerable virtues that your son rAma is endowed with. Lord, his host of virtues are comparable to those of the gods. We shall narrate to you what enthralls us about the ever truthful rAma, listen. His godly virtues and valor equals that of indra and are exceptional among the ikshvAku kings.
rAma is a venerable man who is an embodiment of truth and righteousness. In fact both auspiciousness and dharma emanates from dharma.
राम स्सत्पुरुषो लोके सत्यधर्मपरायणः।
साक्षाद्रामाद्विनिर्वृत्तो धर्मश्चापि श्रिया सह।।2.2.29।।
In causing delight to the people, he is like the moon; in sharp intellect, he is like bRhaspati; in forbearance he is reminiscent of the earth and in valiance he is like indra. He is a knower of dharma, ever truthful, not envious, has a great character, has comforting and consoling words, enduring, grateful and has conquered his senses.
He is soft spoken, unwavering in his mind, ever serene and free from envy. He always speaks the truth and conveys it obligingly to all the beings. He takes great interest in serving scholarly brAhmins well versed in the vEdic lore. By these incomparable virtues, rAma’s fame has steadily grown in the kingdom.
He is an expert in the use of weapons among the gods, demons and men. He is well educated in the vEdas and associated branches of learning. rAma is a great exponent of music [thyAgarAja rAmAyaNam]. He has great pedigree, pious, never dull spirited and highly intelligent. He is well trained by the learned brAhmins in matters of artha and dharma (means and righteousness).
Along with brother lakshmaNa, whenever he wages war against enemies, he never returns without conquering them. And when he returns victorious either mounted on a chariot or elephant, rAma enquires the welfare of his subjects treating them as his kin. He has a great sense of propriety in the enquiry as well and enquired about our children, our sacred fire, our wives and family and disciples. He is very particular in knowing if the disciples re discharging their duties properly. He would enquire all these as responsibly and sincerely as a father would to his own son. He experiences grief at the misfortune of ours and in our celebrations he revels. This archer, par excellence always speaks the truth, serves elders and greets others with a smile even they could greet him! He never engages in conversations that lead to conflicts among people and his rhetoric in constructive debates in al eloquent as that of bRhaspati.
He has beautiful eye brows and his eyes have a reddish tint. This rAma, the delight of the worlds is as valorous as vishNu Himself. He is an expert in the matters of ruling people. By virtue of not subjecting his judgment to his senses he is capable of ruling over the three worlds, what to speak then of this kingdom!
His anger or favor is never in vain. He administers both capital punishment and mercy appropriately and doesn’t err in his judgment. When rAma is pleased with someone, he bestows appropriate reward magnanimously and the populace is charmed and thrilled by his grace and virtues. He is a giver like the sun himself who bestows the rays of grace.
The rAma, who is so virtuous and whose might is truth, that rAma reminiscent of the guardian deities of the quarters is desired by the herself to be her lord. By your great good fortune, this embodiment of virtues is born to you as your son, just as the great mArcha is born to kaSyapa. O king, the inhabitants of near and far, all the citizens, the gods and demi gods, all of them wish well for the well known rAma. Women, both young and old, in the mornings and evenings steadfastly pray for the welfare of the illustrious rAma. Therefore, O king, kindly grant the fervent and unanimous wish of every citizen in the kingdom by crowning rAma.
राममिन्दीवरश्यामं सर्वशत्रुनिबर्हणम्।।2.2.53।।
पश्यामो यौवराज्यस्थं तव राजोत्तमात्मजम्।
this delightful rAma of the blue lotus complexion, the destroyer of enemies may please be crowned by your good selves as the prince regent and cause delight to us all. Therefore, O lord, it behoves you to crown as prince regent, this noble, godly son of yours blessed with divine virtues, well wisher and welfare conferrer of people without much delay.
Here we conclude the second sarga of the ayOdhya kAnDam of SrImath vAlmiKi rAmAyaNam and humbly offer it at the lotus feet of SrIrAma. Hari: Om!
jAi SrIrAma.
Next: 2.3. The coronation beckons
rAmabhaktisAmrAjyam 