The Brahmana, versed in Veda, the counsellors, the commanders of
military forces and the leading merchants, together with the royal
priest, all brimming with joy on account of Rama's installation, were
waiting at the royal gate all night long. On the appearance of the
bright Sun, on the approach of the day under the astral influence of
Pushya and on the ascension of _Karkata_, the presiding star of Rama's
birth, they brought all articles necessary for the installation and as
ordered by the best of Brahmanas--namely; gold, earthen jar (for
preserving water,) well ornamented excellent seats, chariot with a
coverlet of splendid tiger-skin, water brought from the sacred
confluence of the Ganges and Jamuna, from other holy streams, lakes,
wells, ponds and rivers full of water flowing in the East, over
mountains, and from the North to the Sooth; and waters brought from all
the oceans, honey, curd, clarified butter, fried paddy, sacrificial
grass, milk, flowers, eight unmarried girls exquisitely beautiful, a
road elephant, gold and silver jars, adorned with fig leaves and lotuses
and filled with holy water, a best yellow chowri for Rama crested with
jewels and resembling the bright rays of the moon; a brilliantly
ornamented beautiful umbrella of yellow colour, resembling the disc of
the moon, and the most important of all the articles necessary for
installation; a well adorned yellow ox and horse; and all musical
instruments,--bringing these and all other things necessary for the
installation of the descendants of Ikshaku, in accordance with the
king's permission, the panegyrists and other persons were assembled
there. Not finding the king present there, they began to speak amongst
themselves:--"Who will intimate the king of our arrival? The Sua is up
and we do not see the king amongst us as yet. All articles necessary for
the installation of the intelligent Rama are ready." While they were
thus conversing, the charioteer Sumantra, well respected by the king,
reached there and spoke unto all those persons and the kings the
following words. "With the king's permission I am going to bring Rama
speedily here. Worshipful you are all to the king and specially to Rama,
I shall with your words, ask the king of his sound sleep, and then of
the reasons for his not coming here as yet though up from the bed."
Saying thus, Sumantra, versed in legends, arrived at the gate of the
royal seraglio. And he entered the palace with its open gates; and
having entered the appartment of the lord of earth he went into his
sleeping room, and placing himself behind a screen near at hand,
addressed the descendant of Raghu thus, pleasing him with blessings
fraught with good unto him--"Oh! Kakutstha, may the Moon, Sun, Siva,
Vaisravana, (the god of wealth), Varuna, (the god of water), Agni and
Indra grant thee victory. The worshipful night is gone and blessed morn
has arrived; arise, Oh! thou great king, and perform morning ablutions.
Brahmanas,commanders and merchants are assembled at the palace gate,
desirous of seeing thee, do thou therefore arise, Oh descendant of
Raghu."
Peiceiving from the voice that it was charioteer Sumantra versed in good
counsels, who was thus eulogising, the king rose up from his bed and
thus addressed him:--"O Charioteer 'Bring Rama here' was the order I
gave thee; what is it that makes thee neglect my command? I am not
asleep; go and bring up Rama here instantly." Saying this, king
Dacaratha despatched Sumantra again.
Hearing the words of the king and bowing him with his head down,he
issued out of the king's residence,thinking that some great good was
awaiting. And having reached the public roads adorned with flags and
pennons, he, filled with an excess of joy, began to wend his way,
casting his look around. There on his way he heard the passers by, all
talking about Rama and his installation, as if brimming with joy on that
account. Then proceeding a little, Sumantra saw the beautiful palace of
Rama towering like the Kailaca hill and resembling the abode of Sakra.
It was closed with two big pannels at the gate way (of which the
trap-door was flung open), and adorned with hundreds of terraces, on its
top were many idols made of gold, and arches crested with pearls and
diamonds; its colour was white as the autumnal cloud and bright as the
golden cave of _Sumeru_; it was ornamented with highly brilliant jewels
set in the garlands of gold flowers and strewn with pearls and diamonds
and sprinkled with sandal and _Aguru_, the fragrance of which captivates
the mind like the summit of the hill _Dardura_; it was graced with the
presence of _Sarasas_ and peacocks emitting pleasant sounds; and covered
with well-made figures of wolves aud pictures of artistic excellence,
the splendour of which captivates the mind and the eye as well; bright
as the sun and moon, resembling the abode of _Kuvera_ and the capital of
the king of the celestials; filled with brids of various kinds and high
as the summit of _Sumeru_, Sumantra saw the palace filled with people
coming from different quarters with clasped hands, and adorned with
citizens approaching with various presents and eager (to see the
installation of Rama; and (standing at the gate) being prevented by the
warders to enter; resembling a huge cloud, of picturesque situation,
spacious, strewn with pearls and diamonds and crowded with servants.
That charioteer, in his chariot with its wooden ledge and horses,
beautifying the crowded streets and pleasing the citizens, entered the
abode of Rama. There- upon arriving at this abode filled with wealth,
and having its beauty greatly intensified with deers and peacocks,
moving to and fro, resembling the exqusitely splendid palace of the lord
of the celestials,that charioteer was extremely enraptured, having the
hairs of the body erect. Then that charioteer entering several
apartments, well adorned and resembling the Kailaca hill and the abode
of the celestials and passing by many persons, dear unto Rama and
abiding in his purpose, entered the apartment of the ladies. And he
became exceedingly pleased on hearing pleasant words, meaning well unto
the son of the king, from all persons, engaged in some sort of service
for the installation. He saw the pleasant abode of Rama, resembling that
of _Mahendra_, and filled with deers and birds, having its top high as
the summit of _Meru_ and situated well in splendour, and the gateway
filled with millions of citizens with clasped hands keeping their
conveyances outside and coming from various quarters with presents for
Rama. He saw there a wild elephant by the name of _Satrunjaya_ or the
conqueror of foes, having a huge boly resembling a mountain enveloped in
dark clouds, beautiful, capable of bearing the goading hook and intended
as Rama's conveyance. He saw well adorned ministers dear unto the king
with horses, chariots and elephants; and leaving them all on either
side, entered unprevented, like unto the marine monster _Makara_
entering the ocean containing many pearls and diamonds, the splendid
apartment of the ladies, resembling the clouds that hover over the
summit of the Hill Himadri, and having a number of beautiful houses
comparing with great celestial cars.