The Ramayana: The Book of Ayodhya

AYODHYA KANDAM

Rāma, possessing redoubtable prowess among men, with long arms and mighty strength, walked with the gait of a mad elephant In traditional Sanskrit poetry, this metaphor describes a stride that is majestic, powerful, and rhythmic, symbolizing nobility and strength.. His countenance was as fair as the moon, and his presence was prepossessing to a high degree, captivating the sight and hearts of all men by reason of his beauty, generosity, and other noble qualities. As he approached, the lord of men King Dasharatha eyed him steadily, without ever feeling satiety The king could not look at him enough; he never grew tired of the sight of his son..

Helping Rāghava A patronymic for Rāma, meaning "descendant of Raghu." descend from that excellent car original: "car"; an archaic term for a chariot., Sumantra The king’s loyal charioteer and chief counselor. followed him with hands clasped in respect as he proceeded into the presence of his father. Accompanied by Sumantra, Rāghava—the descendant of the Raghus—began to ascend the palace with rapid steps for the purpose of beholding the monarch. The palace itself resembled a peak of the Kailāsa hill A sacred peak in the Himalayas, revered as the white, snow-capped abode of the god Shiva.. Rāma, humbly approaching his father with clasped hands and announcing his name, bowed low and worshipped his father's feet.

Thereupon, seeing Rāma at his side with hands clasped in a lowly guise, the king took hold of Rāma’s hands and, drawing his beloved son to him, embraced him. Then the king desired Rāma to sit upon a seat prepared expressly for him—an excellent, flaming throne garnished with gold and gems. Rāghava shed lustre upon that noble seat, just as the unclouded sun at its rising lights up the Sumeru hill Also known as Mount Meru, the golden mountain at the center of the universe in Hindu cosmology. with its rays. That entire assembly looked beautiful in his presence, like the cloudless autumnal sky crested with stars and planets in the presence of the moon.

The king experienced great delight beholding his dearly beloved son, who appeared like his own image reflected in a mirror and richly adorned. And even as Kaçyapa addresses Indra Kaçyapa is a primordial sage and father of the deities; Indra is the King of the Gods. This comparison emphasizes the divine and patriarchal bond between the king and the prince. among the celestials, the king—the best of those possessing sons—addressed his son, who was well-seated, with these words:

"Born of my eldest wife and worthy of myself, thou art my worthy son, O Rāma, so dear unto me. Thou hast by thy virtues drawn the hearts of the people unto thyself; therefore, during the conjunction of the moon with the Pushyā constellation An auspicious star system in Hindu astrology, considered the most favorable time for coronations and the beginning of virtuous endeavors., do thou receive the office—"