Just before the Pushpak viman landed on the earth, Bharat instructed Satrugn: “Give orders to all the ministers and others to decorate all the corners of our country. Let there be fireworks and instrumental music. Let there be special Poojas in all temples. Give great feast to all our citizens. Give liberal donations to the Brahmins and saints. Tell all our people to assemble here at once.” Satrugn, quick in action, meticulously arranged everything what his brother had told him to do.The viman landed. Sri Ram holding the hand of Sita got down. After them got down Lakshman, Sugreev, Vibhishan, Angad and others.
Bharat with tear-filled eyes fell at the feet of Sri Ram. Sri Ram in turn lifted his brother and hugged him with great affection. Bharat then prostrated before Sita. Lakshman prostrated before Bharat who lifted him and hugged his younger brother. Like-wise Satrugn prostrated before Sri Ram and received his affection embraced. Satrugn again saluted Sita who blessed him.The brothers then prostrated before Vasishta, their noble preceptor. Sri Ram touched the feet of mother Kausalya with love and sorrow. The mother embraced and patted her son throughout his body. Tear drops fell down from her eyes as streams. Rubbing on the wound marks of her son, Kausalya forgot her worries and became proud of being the mother of a great hero. Then they according to the custom saluted and chatted with each other.
Sri Ram introduced Sugreev and Vibhishan separately to the family members. He told the background of meeting and entering into the bondage of mutual agreement with Sugreev and about all other assistance Sugreev and his great Vanar army provided to him. Hearing that story in detail, Bharat hugged Sugreev and said: “King Dasarath had four sons. Now with you, he has five.”
Sri Ram’s Abhisheka as King:
Guru Vasishta, Bharat, Kaikeyi, saints like Vamadev and other noble souls requested Sri Ram to take over the reins of Ayodhya and protect the world. Sri Ram gave his silent agreement. On the errand of the guru, Shatrugan made all arrangement for the coronation of Sri Ram. Bharat, Lakshman, Sugreev and Vibhishan, removed their extra hair and beard and made them ready for the grand festival. Sri Ram, Sita and the three brothers adorned silk garments and other gems and jewelleries according to their royal position.
Sumantra, the chief minister, brought the chariot duly decorated. Sri Ram and Sita ascended the chariot and led the royal procession. Sugreev, Hamuman, Angad and Vibhishan along with others followed them on the back of the elephants. Sage Vasishta along with saints Vamadeva, Jabali, Gautama and Valmiki conducted the coronation ceremony. Sri Ram was crowned with gold crown studded with jewels of incalculable value. Sita was coronated as the queen. With the chanting of the mantras, Vedic hymns, etc. the function got over. Many gifts from all those who assembled there including kings from Kekaya, Mithila and other countries greeted Sri Ram and Sita. Ram distributed the gifts to Sugreev, Vibhishan, Hanuman, Angada Jambavan, Neela, Nala, Rishabha and others. Sri Ram, with utmost pleasure and delight, presented a very precious garland of rare pearls to Sita.
Sita looked at it carefully and then looked at the face of Hanuman and again on her husband’s face. Sri Ram reading her mind said:“Sita, if you so wish, you may donate the garland to any one you like most in this assembly.”
With the permission of her husband, she beckoned Hanuman who approached her with pure and acme of devotion. Sita, with delight, handed over the garland to Hanuman. Hanuman accepted the invaluable gift with tears in his eyes.
Sri Ram called Hanuman near and asked him for any boon. Hanuman said: “Prabhu, as long as the divine mantra ofSri Ram will be alive in this world I should be alive to hear it. I do not need any other boon.”Sri Ram blessed him and hugged him.
Rule: Under Sri Ram
Sri Ram made many sacrifices including Aswamedha and spread his fame all around the world. All subjects under his rule were happy and healthy. There was peace everywhere. He loved all his subjects and the subjects in turn loved him deeply. It was a blissful rule of Sri Ram and it was a blissful life of the citizens
KK Shanmukhan ( To be concluded )
