When the citizens had gone away, the king versed in the time and place
of ceremonies, after deliberating with his counsellors fixed the time
(of the installation.) And his conclusion was even this: "To-morrow the
Pushya will be in; and to-morrow should my son, Rama of eyes like
lotus-leaves be installed as heir-apparent." Then entering the inner
apartment king Dacaratha said unto the charioteer Sumantra,-- "Do thou
again bring Rama hither." In response to those words, the charioteer
again speedily went unto Rama's residence,for bringing him thither. His
fresh approach having been announced unto Rama by the warders, the
latter, filled with apprehension, became anxious. And bringing Sumantra
in, Rama with eagerness said "Tell me fully the reason of this thy fresh
visit." Thereupon, the charioteer told him,-- "The sovereign wisheth to
behold thee. Thou hast known the occasion; and now decide whether thou
wilt go thither or not." Hearing the charioteer's speech, Rama also in
haste repaired unto the king's palace, with the view of again beholding
the lord of men. And on hearing of Rama's arrival, king Dacaratha made
him enter his own chamber, with the view of communicating unto him
something exceedingly agreeable. Aud immediately on entering his
father's residence, the graceful Raghava seeing his father from a
distance, bent low with clasped hands. Thereupon raising Rama as he was
bending down, and embracing him, and pointing out a seat, the protector
of the earth again spake unto him,-- "O Rama, enjoying at my will the
good things of life, I have grown old; and have attained great age. I
have worshipped the deities by celebrating hundreds of sacrifices with
numerous _Dakshinas_ and gifts of boiled rice; and incomparable on
earth, thou hast been born unto me for a son after my heart. I have
given whatever bad been wanted (by others); I have finished my studies,
O foremost of men. I have, O hero, acted and enjoyed. I have been
emancipated from my obligations unto the celestials and saints, and the
_Pitris_, and the Vipras, and myself.[112] And naught now remaineth to
be done by me save thy installation. Therefore it behoveth thee to do
even what I say unto thee. To-day the subjects in a body have expressed
their desire of having thee for their sovereign. Therefore, O son, I
shall install thee as the heir-apparent. O Raghava, to-night I have
dreamt inauspicious dreams. Stars with tremendous sounds, shoot by day,
accompanied with thunder-claps. The astrologers say that the star of my
life hath been invaded by those terrible planets, the Sun, Mars, and
Rahu. It generally happens that when such signs manifest themselves, the
king cometh by a terrible calamity, and may meet with death itself.
Therefore, O Raghava, my thoughts change, be thou installed (in the
kingdom), for fickle is the mind of all creatures. To-day, before
meeting Pushya, the moon, has entered the Punarvasu asterism; and the
astrologers say that to-morrow it will certainly be in conjunction with
Pushya. My heart urgeth me to instal thee during the Pushya conjunction,
so Oh! afflicter of foes, I shall instal thee to-morrow as heir-
apparent. Therefore do thou along with my daughter-in-law commencing
from sun-set, serving the prescribed restrictions, and lying down on a
bed of Kuca grass, spend the night in fast. And let thy friends
vigilantly protect thee all around, for many are the impediments that
happen in affairs like this. In my opinion, during the interval that
Bharata is away from the city, should thy installation be effected most
opportunely; even though thy brother Bharata ever stayeth entirely by
the course of the honest; he followeth his elder brother; and is
righteous-souled; tender-hearted; and of subdued senses. But in my
opinion, the hearts of men are inconstant,--and, O Raghava, the hearts
even of the virtuous change by the action of the natural impulses."
Having been thus addressed in the matter of his coming installation in
the next day, Rama, with the king's permission embodied in "Go thou,"
greeting his father, repaired unto his quarters. And entering his
residence in the interests of the installation ordered by the monarch,
he immediately issued out, and went to the inner apartment of his
mother. There, Rama found his mother in the temple, clad in silk,
adoring the gods, and silently praying for his royal luck. There,
hearing of the welcome installation of Rama, had already come Sumitra,
and Lakshmana and Sita summoned (by Kaucalya). Hearing of the
installation of his son in the office of heir apparent during the
influence of the Pushya, at that time, tended by Sumitra and Siti and
Lakshmana, there stood Kaucalya, meditating the (triune) person
Janarddana, through suspension of breath. Rama, approaching and saluting
her engaged in auspicious observance, addressed her in excellent words,
cheering her up,--"O mother, by my father have I been appointed to the
task of governing the people. And, agreeably to the desire of my father,
to morrow will take place my installation. To-night Sita will fast along
with me. The priests have said thus; and this also hath been declared by
my father. Do thou therefore even to-day provide those necessary
auspicious things that will be required for myself and Vaidehi on the
occasion of the coming installation."
Hearing of that for which she had ever wished, Kaucalya, her voice
choking with the vapour begot of delight, addressed Rama,
saying,--"Rama, my child, be thou long lived; and may thy enemies find
destruction! Furnished with this good fortune, do thou gladden Sumitra's
as well as my own relatives. Oh! thou wast born under an auspicious
star: thou hast. O son, by thy virtues gratified thy sire Dacaratha. Ah!
not unfruitful has proved my disinterested observance of vow unto the
lotus-eyed Person; for this royal fortune of the Ikshwaku race shall
rest upon thee."
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.