Bharata, the son of Kaikeyi, with head bowed low and hands joined in reverence, thus spoke unto Rama: “O Prince of immeasurable glory! Thou hast bestowed on me the kingdom, honouring the word of my mother—but I cannot bear the weight of that crown, even as a calf falters beneath the yoke meant for a mighty bull. This vast realm cannot be preserved by one of my measures, even as a fragile bridge cannot stem the torrents rushing through mountain clefts. O destroyer of foes! I am but as the crow to thy swan, as the donkey beside the horse. Thou art the radiant lion; I, but the trembling deer. Behold! A man with great faith planted a seed, and the tree sprang forth, vast and verdant—yet bore no fruit, to his despair. Let not this tree be my likeness.
Take this realm, O Rama, and relieve me of such barrenness. Know my inner longing, though I veil it in humility. For verily, our father, King Dasaratha, by sacred yajna begot thee—not me—with the longing that a son of imperial virtue might grace the throne of Ikshvaku. Thou art the fruition of that divine yearning. Let not his hope fade unfulfilled. Let the world behold the crowning of Rama, whose radiance shall blaze as the midday sun. Rise, O son of Raghu! Let sacred drums and celestial lyres awaken thee, and be enthroned amidst divine melody. Rule this earth as long as stars traverse the firmament, and constellations dance across the vault of night.” Hearing such words, Rama, the scion of dharma, accepted the prayer of Bharata. Then Bharata, filled with serene joy, sat upon a seat befitting the moment, his heart content.
Thereafter, royal attendants began the sacred ablutions—first Bharata, in strict tradition, then Lakshmana, Sugreeva, and Vibhishana. Soon the matted locks of Rama were anointed with fragrant sandal and sacred waters; he was arrayed in silks of unparalleled fineness, adorned with celestial ornaments according to royal rite. Lakshmana and Shatrughna dressed him with utmost care, while the queens of Dasaratha—Kausalya, Sumitra, and even Kaikeyi—adorned Sita like a daughter. Kausalya herself decorated the vanara women with motherly affection. On the command of Shatrughna, Sumantra brought forth the divine chariot, radiant in its embellishments, drawn by steeds of purest lineage.
Upon it mounted Rama, Sugreeva, and Hanuman—gleaming like Indra himself, adorned with garlands of gems and earrings of divine craft. Sugreeva’s retinue, garlanded in splendour, went to present their homage to Sita. The sages and priests, guided by Vasishtha, prepared for the anointing. Ministers and counsellors moved swiftly to consult Rama, who then ascended his chariot as Indra would his celestial elephant Airavata. Shatrughna held aloft the royal white umbrella, Bharata guided the reins, while Lakshmana stood beside Rama, fanning him with a white yak-tail whisk. Sage-ascetics and celestial seers proclaimed victory to Rama from every direction.
Sugreeva, riding the majestic elephant Shatrumjaya, looked as a mountain on the move. The simian heroes, in human form, mounted nine thousand elephants in procession. With the beat of sacred drums and music resounding through the heavens, Rama entered the heart of Ayodhya. The people, filled with awe and devotion, watched the divine march toward the coronation. They greeted Rama with songs and offerings; he responded with grace. Elders bearing sacred rice and young girls with auspicious signs joined the way, while learned Brahmins walked ahead, chanting Vedic hymns. Rama introduced Sugreeva, Hanuman, and the rest, revealing their unthinkable deeds. The people of Ayodhya, struck with wonder and gratitude, fixed their hearts upon the vanaras with reverence and love.
Rama reached the palace of Dasaratha and, bowing before Kausalya, Sumitra, and Kaikeyi, turned to Bharata and said, “Let the Ashoka-gardened palace, decked in pearls and coral, house Sugreeva.”
With honour, Bharata led the vanara king within, where lamps of sweet fragrance burned, and silken beds lay prepared for rest. Thereupon Bharata spoke: “Sugreeva, order thy warriors to ready the rites for coronation.” Sugreeva, generous and noble, gave four golden urns and commanded: “Before dawn, bring waters from the four oceans.” Jambavan, Hanuman, Vegadarsi, and Rishabha sped across the lands, gathering sacred waters from five hundred holy rivers. Sushena brought waters from the eastern sea, Rishabha from the north, Gavaya from the west, and Nala from the south. Shatrughna conveyed all to Sage Vasishtha, who placed Rama and Sita upon a throne studded with rubies. Then, as hymns were chanted and celestial flowers rained from the skies, the anointing began.
Vedic priests, ministers, maidens, warriors, sages, and even celestial beings poured sacred waters over Rama, mingled with herbs and incense. Vasishtha, in the climax of the rite, took the ancient crown—once given by Brahma to Manu, and passed through kings of renown—and placed it upon Rama’s head. Shatrughna held the white umbrella, Sugreeva held the Vindhyamala, and Vibhishana bore another of its kind. Vayu, the wind-God, bestowed a garland of a hundred golden lotuses, sanctified by Indra. He also gave a pearl-garland, studded with gems and moonlight in its sheen. Celestial dancers and singers performed in fragrant joy, and all the earth blossomed with fruit and grain, rejoicing in Rama’s kingship.
Rama then gave liberally: cows, horses, bulls, lands, gold, jewels—to the worthy. To Sugreeva, he gifted a ruby garland glowing like the newborn sun. To Angada, son of Vali, he offered jewels and honours. To Sita he gave a moon-like necklace of pearls, along with silk garments and ornaments. Sita, daughter of Janaka, then took a garland in hand and turned to Rama and Hanuman. Rama said, “O daughter of Janaka! Bestow this upon one who embodies the eight noble traits—radiance, courage, fame, skill, strength, humility, moral force, and chivalry.” With a smile full of grace, Sita offered the luminous garland to Hanuman, who stood like a white cloud over a mountain. All vanara champions received honours, and Rama himself adorned Vibhishana, Mainda, Dwivida, Nila, and others with jewels.
Rama then bade farewell to his noble guests, who returned to their realms—Sugreeva to Kishkindha, Vibhishana to Lanka. Thereafter, Rama ruled with justice, wisdom, and compassion. One day, he said to Lakshmana, “Come, share the burden of rule as crown prince.” But Lakshmana declined firmly and with humility. Then Rama anointed Bharata as heir-apparent.
In time, Rama performed great sacrifices—Poundarika, Ashvamedha, Vajapeya, and others—for the good of his people. Ten thousand years he ruled—an age of peace and plenty. Under his reign, none died untimely, no widow was seen, wild beasts caused no harm, nor was there disease. None knew hunger, theft, or crime; the old never buried the young. The law was firm, yet kind. The people thrived in long lives and noble joy. The trees bore fruit in every season; the clouds gave rain without delay. Whoever remembers Rama is freed from sorrow and finds peace. His name is comfort to the grieving, strength to the faithful, hope to the weary, a lamp to the lost, and dawn to those in darkness. Thus, shone Rama, the eternal light of righteousness.
