This year, as part of Ramayana celebrations, I begin reading from the
sixth chapter of Ayodhya Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana.
As I study this poetic masterpiece, I can’t help but marvel at the
descriptions, devotion, and details that fill every kanda (book),
sarga (chapter) and verse of this 24,000 verses classic that has
captured the imagination of humans over millennia.
Emperor Dasaratha has announced his desire to coronate Rama as the
prince regent, in his royal assembly. In a short time, the news
spreads far and wide. Rama and Sita perform prayers and rest on a kusa
grass bed at night and rise early – three hours before sunrise- and
perform various rituals and worship of Lord Vishnu.
The learned Sri Vaishnava commentators reveal that this deity of Lord
Vishnu is none other than the Lord Ranganath deity worshipped today at
Srirangam. Quoting Padma Purana, they explain this deity was
worshipped by emperor Dasarath and his ancestors for many centuries.
When Rama became the king of Ayodhya, he offered this deity to
Vibhishana who installed the deity at Srirangam, where it is
worshipped by devout followers, to this day.
Meanwhile in Ayodhya, women gathered at each other’s houses and
discussed happy news of Rama’s coronation. Merchants, shop keepers,
traders and others stopped their daily activities and happily
celebrated the upcoming event. Children who gather outside the houses
to play, stopped their regular fun filled activities, and instead
discussed the exciting news of Lord Rama.
People sprinkled the streets with flowers; they lit incense and
sprayed perfumes. They decorated their houses with flags, festoons,
and auspicious leaves and flowers.
The news spread faster than wild fire, and in no time, thousands of
men and women from villages far and wide, flocked to Ayodhya, to
witness the event. Valmiki describes poetically that the sudden
upsurge of people in Ayodhya created a constant, loud sound. It was
disturbing sound in a city which could be compared to Indra’s capital.
Yet, he confesses that the disturbance was akin to the roaring of the
ocean and the sound of its wild sea animals, when the full moon rises
in the sky.
As the full moon of Rama was about to rise, the melodious roaring of
humans filled the beautifully decorated city of Ayodhya.
But then a disaster, unknown to the innocent citizens, was about to strike….
To be continued…
