SRI
RAGHAVENDRA SWAMY’S SRI RAMACHARITRYA MANJARI
(ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಘವೆಂದ್ರ ಸ್ವಾಮಿ ವಿರಚಿತ “ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಮಚಾರಿತ್ರ್ಯ
ಮಂಜರಿ ಅರ್ಥವಿವರಣೆ)
ಕೈಕೇಯೀಪ್ರೀತಿಹೇತೋಃ
ಸಸಹಜನೃಪಜೋ ವಲ್ಕಲೀ ಯಾನರಣ್ಯಂ
ಗಂಗಾವತಾರೀ
ಗುಹಾರ್ಚೈಃ ಕೃತರುಚಿರಜಟೋ ಗೀಪ್ಸತೇಃ ಪುತ್ರಮಾನ್ಯಃ|
ತೇರ್ತ್ವಾ ಕೃಷ್ಣಾಂ
ಪ್ರಯಾತೋ(s)ವತು ನಿಜಮಮಲಂ ಚಿತ್ರಕೂಟಂ ಪ್ರಪನ್ನಂ
ಸ್ವಾಂಬಾಭಿರ್ಭ್ರಾತರಂ
ತಮ್ ಶ್ರುತಜನಕಗತಿಃ ಸಾಂತ್ವಯನ್ ವ್ಯುಪ್ತತೀರ್ಥಃ||3||
KaikEyeepreetihEtOho sasahajanrupajO valkalee
yAnaraNyam
GangAvatAree guhArchaihi krutaruchirajaTO
geepsatEhe putramAnyaha|
TErtvA kruShNAm prayAtO(s)vatu nijamamalam
chitrakUTam prapannam
SwAmbABhirBhrAtaram tam shrutajanakagatihi
sAntvayan vyuptateerThaha||3||
SUMMARY: May Lord Sri Rama, who, with the
intention of making daughter of Kekaya kingdom and a wife of king Dasharatha,
Kaikeyi, happy and satisfied, clad himself with fabric clothes, along with his
brother Lakshmana and Seetha, his consort and the daughter of King Janaka,
moved off towards the forest; who, on his way, crossed Ganga River, got honored
and worshipped by Hunter King Guha; who wore attractive matted hair; who,
later, was worshipped and felicitated by Sage Bharadwaja, son of Sage
Bruhaspatyacharya and crossed Yamuna River; reached his beloved mountain
Chitrakoota, climbed that mountain; who, when his mother Kausalya, along with Sumitra
and Kaikeyi arrived there with his brother Bharata, consoled the latter since
he was not a party to what had befallen or happened; and who offered oblations
to his departed father Dasharata, protect me, his true servant.
All these incidents happen on the day on which
Dasharatha had decided the previous night to complete the coronation of Lord
Sri Rama. It was not a unilateral decision of Dasharatha because all prominent
and important citizens of Ayodhya, Sage Vasishtha and others had given a
unanimous consent for Dasharatha to install Sri Rama on the throne as his
successor and the prince. It was certainly the most cherished desire of
Dasharatha to see his beloved son Sri Rama officially declared as the prince. He
summoned his most efficient Minister Sumantra and ordered him to instantly make
all the arrangements and preparations for the coronation.
The previous day, all those who participated in
the preliminary meeting organized by Dasharatha to seek the permission of
citizens for installing Sri Rama on throne as the prince, had hailed Sri Rama.
When the meeting concluded, Sri Rama came to meet Dasharatha. Sri Rama got down
from the chariot, stated “RAmanAmA aham bhO abhivAdayE”, prostrated before his
father, who lifted his son with great affection, embraced him and kept on the
lap. Dasharatha told Sri Rama ”My son, I am now aged and unable to rule this
kingdom. I will make you the Prince and you may take charge of this vast
kingdom.” Sri Rama agreed to do as desired by Dasharatha. But, several bad omen
occurred at that time. King Dasharatha was shocked, perturbed and horrified. He
told his son Sri Rama: “Dear Son, I have lived a pious, cultured,
tradition-bound and highly spirituous life. Although I believe to have tak
en a
wise, sound and just decision, it appears that my desire may not be fulfilled.
However, my son, please complete all the preliminary rituals for your
coronation today itself. You may take the “Deeksha” or the oath of ascending
the throne as the Prince and king-in-waiting.”
Sri Rama agreed to do whatever was required for
the coronation. He went to his mother Kausalya, saluted her and divulged the
information regading his coronation. He went to the house of Sumitra Devi and
informed her about the proposed coronation. He returned to his residence, where
Sage Vasishtha was waiting to confer the “oath” of ascending the throne. Sri
Rama cooperated with sage Vasishtha and took the oath.
The
entire city of Ayodhya was bedecked like a bride and the stage was set for the
grand coronation. What transpired next will be in the next episode. Please read,
comment and share. SDN