Sugrīva Paṭṭābhisheka

Sugrīva was crowned king of the vānaras at Kishkindhā after Vāli was killed. This kept the promise Bhagavān Rāma made to Sugrīva at Ṛshyamūka, and gave Sugrīva back his father’s throne after his long exile. The rites were done in full Vedic form, and Aṅgada, the son of Vāli, was made yuvarāja (crown prince). Rāma stayed outside the city, because His father had told Him not to enter any village or city during His fourteen years in the forest.

Hanumān’s request

Vāli’s funeral rites were done. Sugrīva had bathed and had grown a little calmer after his grief. He came to Śrī Rāma with the vānaras who had gathered. Hanumān, the wise minister whose work had made the friendship possible, stepped forward and spoke for the vānaras:

“O Prabhu Rāma, the great kingdom of the vānaras came down from Sugrīva’s forefathers and is hard to win. It has come to Sugrīva by your grace. If you allow it, this great-souled one can now enter the lovely city of Kishkindhā with his friends and kinsmen and take up all his duties. If you agree, we will see Sugrīva washed with sacred waters of many scents and herbs, and he will honour you with fine gems, garlands and worship. O Prabhu Rāma, please enter the delightful city of Kishkindhā and crown Sugrīva king of the vānaras, and give joy to all.”

Rāma’s answer

Śrī Rāma answered Hanumān plainly: “While I am in the forest for fourteen years, my father’s command does not let me enter a village or a city. Let the brave Sugrīva enter Kishkindhā and be crowned king.”

Then He turned to Sugrīva and gave him clear instructions. “You know the ways of the world. Aṅgada, your elder brother’s son, is of good conduct, very strong and brave. He is fit to be yuvarāja. Make him your crown prince. The four months of the rains have come, and this season is not fit for the search for Sītā. Go to Kishkindhā and be at ease. I will stay here on this Prasravaṇa mountain with Lakshmaṇa. When the month of Kārtika comes near, and Āśvayuja is drawing to its close, have your armies ready. That is my advice.”

The ceremony

Sugrīva entered Kishkindhā. The citizens bowed to the ground before their new king. He went into the inner rooms of Vāli’s palace. Then the great ceremony began.

Brāhmaṇas who knew the mantras were honoured with gifts of fine gems, new clothes and sweet foods. They were asked to perform the homa (fire offering). They spread darbha grass on all four sides of the fire altar and offered oblations to the blazing Agni with Vedic mantras.

The royal hall on the upper floor of the palace was made ready. Fine rugs were spread, garlands of coloured flowers hung in the hall, and a throne with golden legs was set up. Sixteen unmarried young women brought all the holy materials. These were fine gems, seeds, healing herbs, white cloths, body ointments, garlands of sweet-smelling flowers, divine sandalwood, golden akshata (unbroken rice grains), barley, honey, ghee, curd, tiger skins, footwear made of boar hide, body colours, and gorocanā (a holy yellow pigment). Pure, sweet-smelling waters were brought from rivers, lakes, tīrthas and all the oceans, and were put in golden kalaśa pots.

The leading vānaras followed the rule laid down by the maharshis and the Kalpa Sūtras. They were Gaja, Gavāksha, Gavaya, Śarabha, Gandhamādana, Mainda, Dvivida, Hanumān, Jāmbavān, Nala and others. With golden vessels and bulls’ horns they poured the purified waters over Sugrīva, just as the devas crown Indra. Sugrīva sat facing east on the golden-legged throne, and the rite was done in full keeping with the śāstra.

Aṅgada becomes yuvarāja

Right after his own crowning, Sugrīva kept the last wish of his brother Vāli and the direct command of Rāma. He took Aṅgada to his heart and made him yuvarāja. The gathered vānaras cried out in praise. The city of Kishkindhā shone with banners and flags, and its people were full of joy.

Sugrīva returns to Rāma

After the coronation Sugrīva went to Rāma outside the city. He gave Him the good news, received His blessings, and went back to Kishkindhā. He also got back his wife Rumā, whom Vāli had wrongly taken. He took up the rule of the vānara kingdom as Indra rules Amarāvatī, as the rightful king, in full prosperity. Rāma and Lakshmaṇa went to their dwelling on the Prasravaṇa mountain to wait out the four months of rain.

What the coronation completed

Rāma had kept His promise. Vāli was slain, the throne was given back, Rumā was freed, and Aṅgada was honoured. Sugrīva now owed his own half of the promise: to find Sītā and to call out the vānara armies in Rāma’s service.

Sources

• Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Kishkindhā Kāṇḍa, Chapters 25–26
• Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Kishkindhā Kāṇḍa, Chapter 26 (Hanumān’s request, Rāma’s answer, the ceremony, Aṅgada as yuvarāja)
• Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Kishkindhā Kāṇḍa, Chapters 26–27 (Sugrīva returns to Rāma)