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.