The Ramayana: The Book of Ayodhya

RĀMĀYANA

“As soon as the sun rises, the Ritual of Blessing original: "Swastivachana"; a religious rite preparatory to any important ceremony, in which the priests strew boiled rice on the ground and invoke the blessings of the gods. will be finished. Invite the priests original: "Brāhmanas" and prepare seats for them. Set up flags, water the highways, and let the courtesans whose profession is music, having adorned themselves, remain in the second apartment of the king's residence. In the abodes of the gods and under the sacred religious fig trees original: "Chaitya", fragrant blossoms should be separately placed, together with boiled rice and other edibles, and with ritual offerings original: "Dakshinas"; traditional gifts or fees given to priests for their services.. And let the warriors, properly arrayed, enter the courtyard of the monarch—which is now swelling with festive joy—wearing their mail and accoutred with leather bracers original: "leather fences"; protective guards worn on the forearms by archers to shield them from the snap of the bowstring. and long swords.”

Having issued these orders, those two learned priests original: "Vipras"; refers to the wise or inspired members of the priestly class. entered upon their work as officiants; and they completed what remained to be done after making those arrangements known to the lord of the earth. When everything had been prepared, those foremost of the "twice-born" A term for the three higher social classes, referring to their spiritual initiation. gladly and with great pleasure presented themselves before the master of the earth and said to him, "Everything has been done as ordered."

Then the effulgent monarch spoke to Sumantra, saying, “Bring the virtuous Rāma here with all speed.” Thereupon, saying, "So be it," Sumantra, at the mandate of the king, brought Rāma—the foremost of chariot-warriors—to that place in a chariot.

The kings of the North, the South, the East, and the West, together with the outlanders original: "Mlechas"; a term for those living outside the Vedic cultural sphere. and the noble princes, along with those inhabiting the mountains and forests, were then paying homage to King Dasharatha, even as the celestial beings pay homage to Indra original: "Vāsava"; a name for Indra, the King of the Gods..

Stationed in his palace, the royal saint Dasharatha—standing in the midst of those princes like Indra in the midst of the Storm Gods original: "Maruts"; the deities of the wind and storms who attend to Indra.—saw his son approach. Rāma resembled the king of the celestial musicians original: "Gandharvas"; heavenly beings known for their beauty and musical talent., gladdening the subjects like a cooling shower when they are oppressed by the heat of summer.