Ramayana
Chapter 26
Forward to Coronation
Dashratha was suddenly weary. Weariness was all over the
body, soul and the mind. The wedding festivities were over long since, but his
nightmare which had been chasing him all along ever since their return from
Mithila would still wake him up any time of the night. That sudden attack on
their caravan by the ancient Brahmin sage Parashurama in the wilderness of the
forest, the dust storm, Parashurama’s unconcealed hatred for the warrior race
which was reflected in the ferocity of the attack as well as in his vitriolic
language when he addressed Rama—everything would flash before his mind’s eye
vividly. The fact of Rama’s controlled retaliation in the face of the vicious
provocation was worthy of a great warrior. But Rama was still his darling son
whom he would like to shield from all possible dangers of life.
Circumstances were changing rapidly. Vishwamitra had warned
him and Vasishtha in several ways and sometimes in no uncertain terms. But the
statesman and the king in him had grown weary. He remembered how he had
deprived Rama of love and the attention that was his due in childhood and the
father in him would be distressed long over those days for which there was no
compensation. He would gladly give anything to have those days back again and
recompense what he had held back, mostly out of his excessive fear of Kaikeyi.
Now the festivities and the religious ceremonies being over,
the political pressures were assuming overriding proportions and his ministers
were constantly reminding him of the need to evaluate those concerns which he
had been refusing to look at. The bottomline of all the suggestions and counsel
was that the king should entrust the princes with greater responsibilities in
administration. Distribution of power was a complex issue. Dashratha was
suddenly awakened to a new thought in one of his ruminations with the ministers.
Why not give a thought to handing over the kingdom completely to Rama? He must
do it now while he is still competent to guide the affairs of the state from
the rear, thought he. That way he would be able to control any possible feuds
that may arise as a result of Rama’s coronation and he would be able to achieve
a peaceful transition of power. All this had to take place in his lifetime. He
realized that there was little time on hand to waste or spare.
He expressed his desires and thoughts to Sumanta when they
were alone by themselves. Both of them had been thinking along the same lines,
though Sumanta had not articulated his thoughts till then. There was no doubt
about Rama’s capability. Dashratha remembered the prediction of the royal
astrologers that Rama was the incarnation of God Vishnu and that he had a
mission. Dashratha knew, or rather apprehended what the mission was. Wars and
conquests, subjugation of enemies! What else were warriors born for? But was
this young ascetic really born for this path? Dashratha’s heart would sink in
apprehension, under the weight of the thought of the fateful prospect of the
deep inner rift that was going to cast a
shadow over the life of his wise young son.
But there was no time to waste on introspection of this
kind. Dashratha knew that Rama was trained in body and soul by two great
masters like Vasishtha and Vishvamitra. Vasishtha had disciplined Rama’s mind
while Vishvamitra had taught him the skills of war. Sumanta assuaged his fears
and tried to remove his misgivings. “Rama would be a grand charioteer”, he said,
“able to control the white and the dark horses with poise and grace through
peace as well as war”
Dashratha’s mind was somewhat restored to peace and both he
and Sumanta set about the business of convening that crucial meeting with the
ministers to discuss the new plan of action.
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