Dasharatha Asks to See Ram Crowned within His Lifetime
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 4
Doha 4 · Movement 1 of 2
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Knowing Vasishtha is pleased, Dasharatha asks that Ram be made Yuvaraja. Let preparations begin while the old king still lives, so that citizens and father alike may behold the blessed sight.
Everything else has reached completion through divine grace. If this longing is fulfilled, Dasharatha says, the body may remain or fall without regret. The crown is not an extension of his own reign but the fruit through which he can release it.
Vasishtha rejoices and reveals the mystery beneath the request. The Lord without whom no burning heart finds relief has become Dasharatha's son. Pure love leads Ram, and love drew the Infinite into the royal nursery.
The father asks for a coronation, and the guru shows him the pure love that made God his son.
Read the passage from the Manas
सब बिधि गुरु प्रसन्न जियँ जानी। बोलेउ राउ रहँसि मृदु बानी।। नाथ रामु करिअहिं जुबराजू। कहिअ कृपा करि करिअ समाजू।। मोहि अछत यहु होइ उछाहू। लहहिं लोग सब लोचन लाहू।। प्रभु प्रसाद सिव सबइ निबाहीं। यह लालसा एक मन माहीं।। पुनि न सोच तनु रहउ कि जाऊ। जेहिं न होइ पाछें पछिताऊ।। सुनि मुनि दसरथ बचन सुहाए। मंगल मोद मूल मन भाए।। सुनु नृप जासु बिमुख पछिताहीं। जासु भजन बिनु जरनि न जाहीं।। भयउ तुम्हार तनय सोइ स्वामी। रामु पुनीत प्रेम अनुगामी।।
Knowing in his heart that the guru was pleased in every way, the king spoke with a gentle, joyful voice. 'O Lord, let Rama be made the Crown Prince. Kindly give the word, and let the preparations begin. While I am still alive, let this celebration come to pass, so that all the people may receive the blessing of beholding it. By the Lord's grace, Shiva has carried everything to completion. Only this one longing remains within my heart. Once it is fulfilled, I shall have no more care whether this body stays or goes. Let there be no cause for regret hereafter.' Hearing Dasharatha's beautiful words, the root of all auspiciousness and joy, the sage was deeply pleased. He said, 'Listen, O King. He from whom those who turn away are left to grieve, He without whose worship the burning of the heart finds no relief, that very Lord has become your son. Rama follows wherever pure love leads Him; that is why He was drawn to take birth as your child.'