Ramayana
Chapter 28
Dashratha Meets Rama
It took no time for the news to spread far and wide, and
through every nook and corner of the capital city of Ayodhya. Ayodhya was a
city of ethnic diversity. There were people of the Arya origin as well as
non-Aryas. All of them rejoiced over the decision taken by the king and his
ministers. In fact every one of them, Gandharvas, the godly beings called
Devas, the ferocious race of the Asuras, the Nagas—all had joined in the
prayers for the smooth transition of the crown from the father to the son who
was the rightful heir to the kingdom according to all. Women staked all they
considered most precious in life, praying to God that there may be no obstacle
in Rama’s path as he moved towards his tryst with the destiny. The entire city was alive with tremulous hope
and anxiety.
It did not take long for the ministers to come to a
unanimous conclusion. By now they had charted the path and drawn the salient
points of the future course of action. But even before their consultations were
over and the points clinched to be presented to the king, instructions were
already on the way, given by Vasishtha to the priests of the royal family that
they should start the preparations for the holy rites.
There was the anxiety and trepidation that precede the
expectations when something intently wished for is close by. These are the
times when the mind and the heart go weak with the fear that anything and everything
that can go wrong will go wrong.
Everyone was now looking at Dashratha for the next step.
Dashratha turned to his friend philosopher and guide at such times: his beloved
friend Sumanta and whispered to him that Rama be called to the assembly-hall.
Soon Rama entered the assembly hall as Dashratha and the
ministers watched. Handsome like a Gandharva and with the confidence like that
of a powerful, young elephant, Rama walked into the assembly hall. He bent down
to touch the feet of his father. “Father, I am your son Rama, bowing down to
touch your feet,” said he. But before he could complete the gesture, Dashratha
pulled him close and hugged him.
It was the most intimate moment, though marked by the gravity
of the occasion which demanded the correctness of protocol. Keeping that awareness in mind, Dashratha
addressed Rama as everyone listened.
“My beloved son, you are born to the eldest among my queens,
Kausalya, and you have inherited everything that is best in that gracious and
virtuous lady. You excel me in every respect. Need I say anything more than
this? You, my most beloved son of all, you have endeared yourself to one and
all in this kingdom by your noble heart and the princely grandeur and valour. It
is the wish of all that you formally assume the position of the heir to this
throne. Tomorrow, soon after the holy constellation ‘Pushya’ appears in the
sky, you will be anointed and be declared as the heir to the throne. We know
that you do not need to be taught your responsibilities and the traditions of a
prince. But my love and concern for your well-being compels me to give you a
word of advice as to how a prince should conduct himself. Let there be grace
and modesty in your demeanor. Do not let base passions rule you. Be always in
control of your spirit , mind and soul. Anger and lust cause the downfall of a
prince. Stay away from all the vices which come in the wake of anger and lust.
Make truth the light on your path and remember that for a prince it is of
utmost importance to remember that while ruling people, truth and justice are
inseparable. So while delivering justice, see to it that you understand truth
objectively, as it is. Rely on reason when you study the information and
knowledge brought to you by your most trusted secret agents. Use your intuition
in support of reason when you listen to the grievances expressed to you in
person by your subjects. This is the way a prince and a king should deliver justice.
You should not displease or offend your ministers, office-bearers, the chief of
the armies, and above all your subjects. This is the secret of successful rule
for a prince, and I am sure you will abide by word of advice. “
Everyone listened in awe and reverence as Dashratha
addressed his son.
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