Sacred Waters Gather for Ram's Coronation
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 6
Doha 6 · Movement 1 of 2
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Vasishtha begins naming what the consecration requires: water from every pilgrimage place, medicinal herbs, roots, flowers, fruits, leaves, royal fans, fine skins, silks, garments, gems, and auspicious articles.
He unfolds the Vedic ceremonies and turns outward toward the city. Canopies must rise, fruit heavy mangoes, areca palms, and banana trees must line the avenues, and gem inlaid platforms must transform courtyards and markets.
Yet splendour begins with worship. Ganesha, guru, family deities, and Brahmins are to be honoured before royal display. The whole sacred geography of India, the abundance of earth, and the devotion of Ayodhya gather around the vessel that will touch Ram's head.
River, forest, jewel, marketplace, and shrine begin flowing together toward Ram's anointing.
Read the passage from the Manas
हरषि मुनीस कहेउ मृदु बानी। आनहु सकल सुतीरथ पानी।। औषध मूल फूल फल पाना। कहे नाम गनि मंगल नाना।। चामर चरम बसन बहु भाँती। रोम पाट पट अगनित जाती।। मनिगन मंगल बस्तु अनेका। जो जग जोगु भूप अभिषेका।। बेद बिदित कहि सकल बिधाना। कहेउ रचहु पुर बिबिध बिताना।। सफल रसाल पूगफल केरा। रोपहु बीथिन्ह पुर चहुँ फेरा।। रचहु मंजु मनि चौकें चारू। कहहु बनावन बेगि बजारू।। पूजहु गनपति गुर कुलदेवा। सब बिधि करहु भूमिसुर सेवा।।
The sage rejoiced and spoke in gentle tones: 'Bring sacred water from every holy pilgrimage site. Medicinal herbs, roots, flowers, fruits, and leaves.' He counted out many auspicious items by name. Yak-tail fans, fine skins, garments of every kind, silk cloth and countless varieties of fabric. Precious gems and many auspicious articles fitting for a king's coronation. Having described every ceremony prescribed in the Vedas, he said, 'Raise festive canopies of many designs throughout the city. Plant rows of fruit-laden mango trees, areca palms, and banana trees along the avenues on all four sides of the city. Lay out beautiful gem-inlaid courtyards and platforms. Have the marketplaces decorated at once. Worship Ganapati, the Guru, and the family deities. Serve the Brahmins in every way.'