Part 19

Having been thus addressed by his mother, Rama looking at his brother (Lakshmana), seated in humble guise with clasped hands, with smile spake unto him, saying,--"O Lakshmana, do thou together with me rule this earth. Thou art my second self; and this good fortune hath taken possession of thee (as well). Do thou, O Sumitra's son, enjoy every desirable thing and the privileges pertaining to royalty. My life and this kingdom I covet for thy sake alone." Having said this unto Lakshmana, and paid reverence unto his mother, Rama with their permission went with Sita to his own quarters.

[112] Sacrifice, study, son, gift, enjoyment are the five means of clearing the debts one owes to the celestials, the saints the pitris, the vipras and self.--T.

SECTION V.

Having given his directions unto Rama as to his incoming installation on the morrow, the king, summoning his priest, Vasishtha spake unto him, saying,--"O thou, having asceticism for thy wealth, go, unto Kakutstha, and for his welfare and obtaining the kingdom, make him fast along with tny daughter-in-law." Thereupon, saying, "So be it," that best of those versed in the Veda, the worshipful Vasistha conversant wdth _mantras_, that one practicing excellent vows, mounting a Brahma car, himself went unto the residence of Rama cognizant of _mantras_, for the purpose of making him fast. And that foremost of ascetics, having readied Rama's sable hued residence resembling a mass of clouds, passed through three several apartments, mounted on the car. With the view of honoring the saint worthy of honor, Rama swiftly issued out of his abode. And nearing the car of that intelligent one, Rama, personally taking him by the hand, made him descend. Finding Rama so humble and dear, the priest addressed him, gratifying and delighting him with words that were acceptable,--"O Rama thy father hath been well pleased with thee; since thou achievest the kingdom (through him). Do thou to-day fast with Sita. And in the morning, the king, thy father Dacaratha, will, well-pleased install thee as heir-apparent like Nahusha installing Yayati." Having said this, that pure spirited one, observing vows with _mantras_, made Rama fast along with Sita. Then having been duly worshipped by Rama, and taken Kakutstha's permission, the spiritual preceptor of the king, went away from Rama's residence. Rama, having passed sometime with sweet-speeched friends, and been honored by them, with their permission entered his apartment. At that time Rama's residence was filled with joyous men and women; and it was like unto a lake containing lotuses and graced with maddened birds.

(On the other hand) Vasishtha, issuing from the palace of Rama like unto the king's palace itself, found the street filled with people. On all sides, Ayodhya's high-ways were crowded with groups of men full of curiosity. The tumult that arose in the high-ways in consequence of the concourse and noise, was like the roaring of the ocean. The streets were cleared and washed and hung with garlands; and that day Ayodhya had her dwellings furnished with upraised flagstaffs. In the city of Ayodhya men with women and children eagerly expected the rising of the sun (next day), and Rama's installation; and the people burnt to behold in Ayodhya the august festivity, that was like unto an ornament unto the subjects, and that enhanced the joy of the people. Dividing the crowd thronging the high-way, the priest slowly proceeded to the royal family. And ascending the palace like unto a peak of the Himavat, he met with the lord of men, like Vrihaspati meeting with Sakra. Seeing him come, the king rising up from his royal seat, asked Vasishtha whether his intention had been carried out, whereupon Vasishtha answered that it had. The courtiers who had all along sat with Dacaratha, rose from the seats, for worshipping the priest. Then with the permission of his spiritual guide, leaving that assembly of men, the monarch entered his inner apartment like a lion entering his den. Even as the moon illumineth the firmament crowded with stars, the handsome king entered his mansion, like unto the abode of the mighty Indra, and thronged with females excellently attired,--gracing it (by his presence).

SECTION VI.

When the priest had gone away, Rama, having bathed and with a collected mind, began to adore Narayana, in company with his wife having expansive eyes. Then raising the vessel of clarified butter unto his head (by way of paying reverence), he in accordance with the ordinance began to offer oblations unto the flaming fire on behalf of that mighty deity. Then, having partaken of the remaining quantity of the clarified butter, Rama prayed for his own welfare, and meditated on the god Narayana. The son of the best of men with a collected mind, and restraining his speech lay down on a _kuca_ bed together with Vaidehi within the graceful dwelling of Vishnu.

When a single watch only remained of the night, Rama awoke, and made his residence well decorated. Now he hearing the melodious utterances of genealogists and panegyrists and Brahmanas versed in the _Puranas_, Rama finished devotions for the prior twilight, and with an intent mind began to recite (_Savatri_)[113] And clad in a clear silk dress, he with bended head hymned the destroyer of Madhu, and made the regenerate ones perform the _Swastivachana_ ceremony. Already resounding with the blares of trumpets, Ayodhya became filled with the sweet and solemn tones of the expression "Holy day" uttered by them. The denizens of Ayodhya, hearing that Raghava had fasted with Vaidehi, rejoiced exceedingly.

Then the citizens, hearing of the installation of Rama, and seeing that the night had departed, fell to adorning the city. Standards with pennons were beautifully reared up in the abodes of the gods resembling a peak, enveloped with white clouds, and at the crossing, and on high-ways; and over the chaitya tree; and edifices; and over the warehouses of merchants abounding in goods and the goodly and prosperous mansions of householders; and over all the council-houses; and conspicuous trees. The multitude then heard the music, soothing unto the ear and heart, of stage managers, dancers and singers chanting. The people began to talk with each other anent the installation of Rama; and the time for his installation having arrived, on terraces and houses, and doorways boys playing in bodies, conversed with each other concerning the installation of Rama. On the occasion of the investiture of Rama, the goodly high-ways were adorned with garlands,and scented with _dhupa_ incense--by the citizens. And fearing lest Rama should come out over night (to behold the beautified capital), the inhabitants of the city, by way of ornamentation as with the view of beholding Rama himself, had by the road side reared up lamp-stands in the form of (branched) trees. Eagerly expecting the investiture of Rama as the heir apparent, all having thus ornamented the city and assembling themselves on terraces and in council-halls, talking with each other, extolled the lord of men, saying,--"Ah high-souled is this king--the perpetuator of the Ikshwaku race; for, knowing himself as old, he will install Rama in the kingdom. Obliged we have been, since good Rama capable of reading character, will be the lord of earth, and our protector. He is of a heart devoid of arrogance, and is learned; and righteous-souled; and affectionate to his brothers. Raghava loveth us even as he doth bis own brothers. May the sinless and pious king Dacaratha live long; for it is through his grace that we shall behold Rama installed. The inhabitants of the provinces, who having heard the tidings, had come from various regions, heard the citizens conversing thus. Desirous of beholding the installation of Rama, they coming into the city from various directions, filled Rama's city. As the vast concourse entered (the city), there was heard an uproar like unto the roaring of the heaving ocean during the fullness of the moon. Then that city resembling the regions of Indra, being filled on all sides with tumult raised by the dwellers of the provinces who had come to behold (the installation), resembled the ocean when its waters are agitated by the aquatic animals inhabiting it.

[113] The celebrated hymn to the sun, the most sacred thing in all the Vedas.--T.

SECTION VII.

A woman, brought up with Kaikeyi, who formerly served as a maid-servant, the family of her maternal uncle, at her own will, ascended the palace resembling the moon. Manthara beheld from the palace the high-ways of Ayodhya well watered all round, and strewn with lotuses, and adorned with standards bearing gay pennons; with thoroughfares and roads leading along undulating lands; sprinkled with sandal water, and crowded with men who had performed their ablutions; and echoing with the accents of regenerate ones bearing garlands and sweetmeats in their hands; and having the doorways of the temples painted white; and resounding with the sounds of musical instruments; and filled with many folks; and singing with Veda chantings; and with its horses and elephants delighted, and cows and bulls emitting roars; and with standards displaying flags erected by the exhilarated citizens. Upon seeing Ayodhya (in such excitement) Manthara was seized with exceeding surprise, Manthara, seeing a nurse hard by clad in white silk, with her eyes expanded with delight, asked her, saying,--"What for Rama's mother although close-fisted, is cheerfully and with the greatest possible alacrity dispensing wealth unto the people? And what for is the general overflow of joy? And what doth the delighted monarch purpose to do?" Thereupon bursting with very great delight, the nurse communicated unto the hump-backed woman the high fortune awaiting Rama, saying,--"To-morrow under Pushya, king Dacaratha will install the sinless Raghava having his anger under control, as heir-apparent to the throne." Hearing the words of the nurse, the hump-backed one, speedily growing angry, descended from the edifice resembling a summit of the Kailaca hill. Burning in ire, the sin-seeking Manthara addressed Kaikeyi, lying down, saying,--"Up, ye senseless one! What for art thou down? A great danger approacheth thee. Thou understandeth not that a mighty grief overfloweth thee. Thou boastest of good fortune while misfortune is thine in the shape of luck. Thy good fortune is surely unstable like the tide of a river during summer. Thus addressed by the sin-seeking hump-backed (hag) in exceedingly harsh language, Kaikeyi became afflicted with great grief. And Kaikeyi said unto the hump-backed one,--"Is any evil present, O Manthara? I do not find thee with countenance fallen and sore distressed with grief." The hump-backed Manthara, skilled in speech, who really sought Kaikeyi's welfare, hearing the latter' s sweet-accented words, displaying sorrow greater than Kaikeyi's own, lamenting, and enlisting Kaikeyi's feelings against Rama, uttered words inflamed with anger, saying,--"O worshipful one, an enduring and terrible destruction is imminent unto thee. King Dacaratha will install Rama as heir-apparent. I have been sunk in a fathomless fear; and am afflicted with grief and heaviness. And as if burning in fire I, seeking, thy welfare, have come unto thee. For, O Kaikeyi, great waxeth my grief on witnessing thy sorrow; and my advancement progresseth along with thine. There is no doubt about this. Born in a race of king thou art the queen of this lord of earth. Why dost not thou then realise the sternness of royal morality. Thy maintainer speaketh most morally; but is crafty for all that: he speaketh blandly, but hath a crooked heart. Him thou takest as of blessed condition; and therefore art gulled. Speaking unto thee soft words bare of substance, he will, his heart on the alert, to-day compass the welfare of Kaucalya. Having sent Bharata unto the home of thy relatives, that wicked- minded one will establish Rama in his ancestral kingdom rid of its thorn. Thou,0 girl, in consideration of thy welfare, hast like unto a mother taken unto thy lap a venomous snake in the form of thy husband. Even what is done by an enemy or a serpent left alone, is being done by Dacaratha of wicked ways and false soothing speech, unto thee and thy own son. And, O girl, deserving as thou art of happiness, the king having established Rama in the kingdom; thou wilt be annihilated along with thy own. The time hath come, O Kaikayi,--do thou on the spur enter upon that which would turn to thy advantage. And, O thou, influenced by surprise, do thou deliver thyself, me and Bharata also."

Hearing Manthara's words, that one of graceful countenance filled with delight, and looking like the autumnal moon-light, rose up from her bed. Inspired with exceeding joy, Kaikeyi, struck with surprise, made unto the hump-backed woman a present of an excellent and elegant ornament. And having given her the ornament, that paragon among the fair Kaikeyi joyfully, addressed Manthara, saying,--"O Manthara! highly welcome is the news that thou hast communicated unto me. And surely thou hast told me what is dear unto my heart, what shall I do for thee? Difference find I none between Rama and Bharata. Therefore delighted am I that the king purposeth installing Rama in the kingdom. There is no other ambrosial speech that is excellent and acceptable unto me, compared with the installation of Rama. Therefore do thou ask of me whatever reward dost thou want and I shall give thee."

SECTION VIII.

Manthara, making Kaikeyi the object of her wrath, threw off the noble ornament, and spoke these words, in anger and grief,--"Thou senseless girl, wherefore dost thou display thy joy on such an unfit occasion. Thou dost not see that thou art in the bosom of an ocean of grief. Being grieved at heart do I laugh at thee inwardly, O worshipful lady, because thou having met with signal calamity, rejoicest even in what should be lamented. I lament thee for thy perversion of sense. What sensible woman can rejoice in the advancement of a co-wife's son, like unto death itself? From Bharata proceeds Rama's fear concerning the kingdom to which both have an equal claim. Thinking of this, I am pressed down with sorrow, because fear proceeds from the person who fears much. The mighty armed Lakshmana hath for certain in all ways taken refuge in Rama; and Satrughna like unto Lakshmana hath taken refuge in the Kakutstha, Bharata. With reference to gradation of birth, the probability is in favor of Bharata's attempting the kingdom; yet by reason (of Rama's being the elder) of the two, Bharata hath been thrown off. Anticipating the peril that might spring unto thy son from Rama, learned and versed in the functions of the Kshatriya, and of quick decision, I tremble. Surely Kaucalya is of blessed fortune, for to-morrow under Pushya the foremost of the twice- born ones will install her son as the mighty heir-apparent unto the empire. Thou wilt, with clasped hands, serve as a slave the illustrious Kaucalya, mistress of the world, and brimming over with joy, with all her foes discomfitted. Thus along with us thou wilt attend her commands, and thy son also will await the pleasure of Rama. And Rama's wives[114] together with their hand-maids will be filled with delight; and in consequence of Bharata's name, thy daughters in-law will be afflicted with sorrow."

Seeing Manthara dead set against Rama, and speaking in this wise, the noble Kaikeyi praised the virtues of Rama. "Rama is cognizant of morality, and filled with perfections, and accomplished, and grateful, and endowed with truth, and pure. And as he is the eldest son of the king, he deserveth the kingdom as heir-apparent. That long-lived one shall maintain his brothers and his retainers even like a father. Why then, O hump-backed one, do thou grieve, hearing Rama's installation. And for certain, that foremost of men, Bharata also, an hundred years after Rama, will attain the kingdom bequeathed by his father and grand-father. O Manthara, thou burnest (with grief) in this auspicious time. Our good fortune will come (after this in the shape of Bharata's installation); why then dost thou grieve. Surely Rama is dearer unto me than Bharata; and he also loveth me more than he doth Kaucalya. And if the kingdom be Rama's it will be also Bharata's at the same time. Rama regardeth his brothers even as his own self."

Hearing Kaikeyi's words, Manthara exceedingly aggrieved, sighing hot and hard, thus addressed Kaikeyi, saying,-- "Regarding that to be evil which is thy good, thou dost not through thy want of understanding know that thou art going to be drowned in a sea of grief and peril. Raghava will become king, and after Raghava his son,--so that, O Kaikeyi, Bharata will come to be at once cut off from the royal line. O emotional one, surely all the sons of the king do not obtain the kingdom. And if all were placed on the throne, mighty would be the disturbance therefrom. Therefore it is that kings, O Kaikeyi, lay the task of Government on the eldest son if worthy, or else upon a younger most meritorious. This thy son, O affectionate one, cast off from the royal race, and deprived of happiness, will fare like one forlorn. Thou dost not understand that it is for thee that I am taking such pains; and it is evident that thou dost not understand that I have come to thee for thy good. Thou art conferring on me rewards on the advancement of thy co-wife. For certain, Rama having attained the kingdom without let, will send Bharata either to a distant land, or to the other world. Bharata is a mere boy, and by thee it is that he hath been sent unto his maternal uncle's mansion. Even in immobile objects attachment grows by virtue of nearness. Satrughna also ever following Bharata hath gone with him. He is attached unto Bharata as Lakshmana is attached unto Rama. It is heard that once upon a time the woodmen had intended to cut down a tree; but it was relieved from the high peril because of the proximity of prickly shrubs around it. Sumitra's son protects Rama and Raghava protects Lakshmana. Their fraternal love like that of the Aswins is celebrated in the world. Therefore Rama will never do any wrong unto Lakshmana; but he will do wrong unto Bharata, there is no doubt about this. Therefore let that son of Raghu be sent unto the woods from the palace. This pleaseth me; and this also is for thy supreme welfare; and in this wise also will be realised the good of thy relations. But if Bharata can get at his ancestral kingdom by just means, that would also be welcome to thy kindred. That boy deserving of happiness is the natural enemy of Rama. How can he live under the prosperous Rama being deprived of all wealth? Therefore it behoveth thee to save Bharata about to be overcome by Rama, like a lion pursuing the leader of an elephant herd in a forest. Thy co-wife, Rama's mother, had formerly through pride and good fortune been slighted by thee. Why will not she upon thee wreak her revenge now? When Rama will obtain the earth furnished with many oceans and mountains, then, O proud dame, thou rendered forlorn, wilt along with Bharata, sustain sorry discomfiture. And when Rama will obtain the earth, Bharata will certainly meet with destruction, therefore do thou ponder as to how thou canst place thy son on the throne, and banish thy enemy."

[114] Historically Rama had but one wife. Manthara here anticipated that Rama would marry many wives like his father after the installation.--T.

SECTION IX.