The Ramayana: The Book of Ayodhya

of heir-apparent The Sanskrit term is "Yuvaraja," meaning the young king or crown prince.. Thou art by nature crowned with virtues. Notwithstanding thy great virtues, I will, O son, from affection tell thee what is for thy profit. Practicing greater humility, do thou constantly restrain thy senses. Do thou renounce the ills that come through anger and lust. Replenishing thy exchequer The royal treasury. and arsenal do thou, acquainting thyself with the state of things personally and otherwise, administer justice and thereby enlist the affection of the courtiers and other subjects; for the friends of him that swayeth the earth, pleasing the people to his satisfaction, rejoice even as did the immortals The Devas, or gods. on obtaining ambrosia original: "ambrosia"; refers to Amrita, the nectar of immortality.. Therefore, do thou, O son, disciplining thyself thus address thee to thy task." Hearing this, Rāma's well wishers, ever doing his pleasure, speedily going out, acquainted Kauçalya Rāma's mother and the senior queen. with everything. Thereupon that foremost of her sex Kauçalya ordered gold and kine An archaic term for cattle or cows. and various kinds of gems to be given to the tellers of the glad tidings. Then Rāghava A name for Rāma, meaning "descendant of Raghu.", having been honored by the multitude and saluted the sovereign, ascended a car A chariot., and repaired unto his shining residence. And the citizens, hearing those words of the monarch, as if fraught with some speedy good fortune unto them, made their obeisance unto that lord of men, and repairing to their homes, with delighted minds, worshipped the gods.

SECTION IV.

WHEN the citizens had gone away, the king versed in the time and place of ceremonies, after deliberating with his counsellors fixed the time of the installation The "Abhisheka" or coronation ceremony.. And his conclusion was even this: "To-morrow the Pushyā One of the lunar mansions or nakshatras in Hindu astrology, considered highly auspicious for royal duties and spiritual growth. will be in; and to-morrow should my son, Rāma of eyes like lotus-leaves be installed as heir-apparent." Then entering the inner apart-