Vashishtha Places the First Tilak upon the Lord of Three Worlds
Uttara Kanda, Chaupai 12
Doha 13 · Movement 1 of 3
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Love rises in Vashishtha's heart when he beholds Rama. A divine throne is brought, radiant as the sun and beyond description. Rama bows his head before the learned ones, then sits with Janaka's daughter beside him.
Vedic mantras roll through the hall while gods and sages answer from the sky with cries of victory. Vashishtha places the first tilak upon Rama and then directs the gathered learned ones to continue the sacred rite.
The mother looks upon her son and circles the arati flame again and again. Gifts flow in such abundance that every supplicant leaves without need. At last the Lord of the three worlds is visible upon Ayodhya's throne, and celestial drums resound above him. Yet the gesture that governs the splendor came first: the sovereign bowed before those who consecrated him. The sun-bright throne receives a king whose humility is already brighter than its gold.
Rama bows before he is crowned, and humility ascends the throne before sovereignty does.
Read the passage from the Manas
प्रभु बिलोकि मुनि मन अनुरागा। तुरत दिब्य सिंघासन मागा।। रबि सम तेज सो बरनि न जाई। बैठे राम द्विजन्ह सिरु नाई।। जनकसुता समेत रघुराई। पेखि प्रहरषे मुनि समुदाई।। बेद मंत्र तब द्विजन्ह उचारे। नभ सुर मुनि जय जयति पुकारे।। प्रथम तिलक बसिष्ट मुनि कीन्हा। पुनि सब बिप्रन्ह आयसु दीन्हा।। सुत बिलोकि हरषीं महतारी। बार बार आरती उतारी।। बिप्रन्ह दान बिबिध बिधि दीन्हे। जाचक सकल अजाचक कीन्हे।। सिंघासन पर त्रिभुअन साई। देखि सुरन्ह दुंदुभीं बजाईं।।
Seeing the Lord, the sage's heart was flooded with love. He at once called for a divine throne. Its radiance was like the sun, beyond all description. Rama bowed to the learned ones and took his seat. Seeing Raghuraj together with Sita, the daughter of Janaka, the assembly of sages was overcome with joy. The learned ones then chanted the sacred Vedic mantras, while gods and sages in the sky cried, 'Victory! Victory!' Sage Vasishtha performed the first tilak, then gave his blessing to all the other learned ones. Seeing her son, the mother was filled with happiness and waved the arati lamp again and again. Generous gifts of every kind were given to the learned ones, making every supplicant a supplicant no more. Seeing the Lord of the three worlds seated on the throne, the gods beat their celestial drums in celebration.