Rāma Pattābhisheka (Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa): The Coronation at Ayodhyā

After fourteen years in the forest and the great victory at Laṅkā, Śrī Rāma came back to Ayodhyā on the Pushpaka vimāna (flying chariot). With him were Sītā, Lakshmaṇa, Sugrīva, Vibhīshaṇa and the whole army of vānaras and bhallūkas. Hanumān was sent ahead to tell Bharata.

At Nandigrāma, the meeting of Rāma and Bharata brought all the people of Ayodhyā to tears of joy. Rāma then entered Ayodhyā in a royal procession. Vasishṭha Maharshi and the other great ṛshis crowned him on the throne of the Ikshvāku line with water from the four oceans. Devas, gandharvas, siddhas and kinnaras came to the ceremony. Sītā received a pearl necklace from Śrī Rāma, and she gave it to Hanumān.

Hanumān’s mission to Bharata

Before the Pushpaka came down at Nandigrāma, Śrī Rāma sent Hanumān ahead, alone, in human form. His task was to prepare Bharata for the news. Rāma gave careful instructions. Hanumān was to watch Bharata’s face closely as he heard the news and read his deepest feelings. He was to see whether fourteen years of power had made Bharata attached to the kingdom. Rāma said, as a great soul would: “If it has, let Bharata keep the kingdom. I can live as a tāpasa (an ascetic) anywhere.”

Hanumān flew north over the Gaṅgā, the Yamunā and the great northern forests, and landed at Nandigrāma. There he found Bharata, and the sight moved even Hanumān. Bharata was thin and tired from long wakefulness. He wore bark clothes and a deerskin, and his hair was matted. He looked like a great ascetic and not like a prince. He lived on roots and fruits of the forest.

Around him were his ministers (amātyas), his priests (purohitas) and his officers. None of them would eat before Bharata did, because they loved him. In the middle of the camp, set with full royal honour, were Rāma’s pādukās (sandals). Bharata had received them at Citrakūṭa and brought them back to Ayodhyā, to rule as the regent of Śrī Rāma.

Hanumān bowed to Bharata and said: “O noble Bharata! Every moment of these fourteen years you have remembered your elder brother Rāma. You live always in the memory of Rāma, and you are blessed. Prabhu Rāma has asked about your welfare. O great soul, I bring you good news. Give up your deep sorrow now. Raghurāma has finished his years in the forest and is coming. In one moment he will be with you. He has slain the wicked Rāvaṇa and his companions and has won back the faithful Sītā Devī. He is coming with joy, together with great and mighty companions. The radiant Lakshmaṇa is with him. Sītā Devī, the most faithful of wives, has her wish fulfilled too. She follows Prabhu Rāma as Śacī Devī follows Devendra.” (Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Yuddha Kāṇḍa, Chapters 128–129)

When Bharata heard this, he fainted with joy. He got up, overcome with feeling, and embraced Hanumān with tears of joy, so that the vānara was bathed in his happiness. Bharata offered Hanumān a hundred thousand cows, a hundred villages and sixteen maidens wearing golden earrings. Hanumān gently refused all the gifts. He let it be known that Rāma’s coming was reward enough. (Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Yuddha Kāṇḍa, Chapter 128)

Hanumān tells Bharata everything

Bharata then asked Hanumān to tell him all that had happened since Rāma left Citrakūṭa. Hanumān had seen almost every event of the second half of the Rāmāyaṇa, and he told it all. He spoke of these events:

the entry into Daṇḍakāraṇya
the cutting of Śūrpaṇakhā’s nose and ears
the slaying of Khara, Dūshaṇa and Triśiras
Mārīca and the golden deer
Sītā’s abduction
the death of Jaṭāyu and his last rites by Rāma
the freeing of Kabandha
the meeting with Sugrīva on Ṛshyamūka
the slaying of Vāli
the crowning of Sugrīva
Hanumān’s own crossing of the ocean and finding of Sītā in the Aśoka grove
the building of the Rāmasetu
the whole Yuddha Kāṇḍa, up to the slaying of Prahasta, Kumbhakarṇa, Indrajit and Rāvaṇa

He went on to the events that followed: Brahmā’s stotra (hymn of praise), Agni’s return of Sītā, Daśaratha’s darśana (appearance) from svarga (heaven), Indra’s bringing back to life of all the fallen vānaras, and Bharadvāja’s hospitality.

He ended: “Prabhu Rāmacandra is now at Bharadvāja’s āśrama on the Gaṅgā. Tomorrow, on the auspicious day of Pushyamī nakshatra, you will have his darśana.” (Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Yuddha Kāṇḍa, Chapter 129)

The arrival and Bharata’s welcome

Bharata at once told Śatrughna to start the preparations. The road from Nandigrāma to Ayodhyā was to be made level, sprinkled with cool water and strewn with flowers. Every temple in the city was to be decorated with garlands and sweet-smelling offerings. Musicians were to play the vīṇā, the veṇu (flute) and the mṛdaṅga (drum). The sūtas and the vandī-māgadhas (bards) and the whole court were to gather to welcome Rāma. (Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Yuddha Kāṇḍa, Chapter 130)

The royal mothers Kausalyā, Kaikeyī and Sumitrā, and the other queens, came to Nandigrāma in palanquins. All of Ayodhyā followed. The sound of horses’ hooves, chariot wheels, conches and drums made the earth shake.

Bharata himself was still in bark clothes, with matted hair, and thin. He carried Rāma’s pādukās on his head. The chief brāhmaṇas, ministers and merchants came with him. He was given every honour of a royal escort. A white umbrella was held over the pādukās, golden fans were waved, and all the rites of Ikshvāku royal custom were done. All of this was directed to the pādukās and not to Bharata himself. (Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Yuddha Kāṇḍa, Chapter 130)

The Pushpaka appeared in the distance. It shone with the light of a full moon and moved with the speed of thought. The crowd cried out with joy. The vānara leaders in the vimāna took human form.

The Pushpaka came down. Bharata looked up and saw Rāma. Rāma, from the vimāna, saw Bharata walking toward him in the worn clothes of an ascetic, and he was deeply moved. Prabhu Rāma came down from the vimāna, calling out “Sodarā! Sodarā! Bharatā!” He lifted his brother up into the vimāna. Bharata fell at Rāma’s feet in full sāshṭāṅga-praṇāma (bowing with the whole body on the ground). (Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Yuddha Kāṇḍa, Chapter 130)

Bharata then embraced Lakshmaṇa. He bowed respectfully to Sītā Devī, his elder brother’s wife. He embraced Sugrīva, Jāmbavān, Aṅgada, Mainda, Dvivida, Nīla, Ṛshabha, Sushena, Nala, Gavāksha, Gandhamādana, Śarabha and Panasa. The vānara leaders, in human form, greeted him with joy.

Bharata said to Sugrīva: “A friend is one who helps in need. That is the mark of a friend. To harm is the nature of an enemy. You have helped from the heart. From today we are five brothers.” He then said to Vibhīshaṇa: “Noble one! It is by our good fortune that your help was won. Through it my brother did what seemed impossible.” (Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Yuddha Kāṇḍa, Chapter 130)

Śrī Rāma then got down from the Pushpaka at Nandigrāma and spoke to the divine vehicle: “O Pushpaka! Go back now to Kubera and serve him.” The vimāna flew north to Kubera’s home. (Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Yuddha Kāṇḍa, Chapter 130)

Bharata respectfully placed Rāma’s pādukās on Rāma’s own feet. He said: “Mahārāja! The kingdom you left in my keeping, I now return to you. My wish is fulfilled. My birth has found its purpose, now that I have seen you return. The treasury, the granaries and the army, all that you trusted to me, have grown ten times by your grace. The people live in joy and peace. See it all.” (Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Yuddha Kāṇḍa, Chapter 131)

Entry into Ayodhyā

Śrī Rāma took his seat on the divine chariot. Bharata held the reins as charioteer. Śatrughna held the royal umbrella. Lakshmaṇa carried the white fan. Vibhīshaṇa carried another white fan at the front. Great ṛshis and devas in the sky sang praises, and their sweet hymns were heard below. Sugrīva rode the great elephant Śatruñjaya. The vānara warriors, all in human form and dressed in fine clothes and jewels, rode nine thousand elephants. (Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Yuddha Kāṇḍa, Chapter 131)

The procession entered Ayodhyā. Conches and drums sounded to the sky, other instruments played, and the cries of joy of the people echoed. The wide streets were decorated with flags and garlands, and coloured raṅgoli patterns covered every road. People on rooftops, in chariots and on elephants all came down when they saw Rāma, and could not stop themselves from drawing near. The citizens brought as offerings akshatas (unbroken rice grains), golden vessels, cows, maidens and sweets. (Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Yuddha Kāṇḍa, Chapter 131)

Śrī Rāma entered the palace of Daśaratha. He bowed before Mother Kausalyā, Sumitrā and Kaikeyī, and honoured all the royal mothers. He then went to Vasishṭha Maharshi and bowed before him. He told Bharata to arrange a stay for Sugrīva in the great inner palace, which was decorated with pearls and vaidūrya gems. (Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Yuddha Kāṇḍa, Chapter 131)

The abhisheka

The ministers arranged the great ceremony of consecration, the Rāma Pattābhisheka, under the direction of Vasishṭha Maharshi, the family priest of the dynasty. Great amounts of sacred water were needed.

Sugrīva sent Jāmbavān, Hanumān, Vegadarśi, Gavaya and Ṛshabha to bring sacred water from the four oceans and five hundred rivers. Sushena filled his golden pot from the eastern ocean. Ṛshabha filled his from the southern ocean, with a branch of red sandalwood on top of the water. Gavaya filled his from the western ocean. Nala filled his with water from the northern ocean. Each moved with the speed of Garuḍa. (Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Yuddha Kāṇḍa, Chapter 131)

The great ṛshis who had gathered were Vasishṭha, Vāmadeva, Jābāli, Kāśyapa, Kātyāyana, Suyajña, Gautama and Vijaya. They did the Vedic abhisheka (consecration). They crowned Śrī Rāma on a throne set with every kind of gem. They used pure, fragrant, auspicious water, as the Vasus once consecrated Devendra. (Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Yuddha Kāṇḍa, Chapter 131)

The ancient crown was first made by Brahmā himself when he consecrated Manu. It had passed down through all the Ikshvāku kings without a break. Vasishṭha and the priests (ṛtvij brāhmaṇas) now placed it on Śrī Rāma’s head, along with other ornaments fit for a great king. (Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Yuddha Kāṇḍa, Chapter 131)

Devas, gandharvas, kinnaras, kimpurushas and the four dik-pālas (guardians of the directions) were in the sky for the ceremony. They also did their own divine abhisheka, with various juices of herbs. Vāyu deva came in person, sent by Indra. He gave Śrī Rāma a garland of a hundred golden lotuses and a pearl necklace set with gems. The earth was full of crops, the trees were full of fruit, and the flowers spread their scent. (Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Yuddha Kāṇḍa, Chapter 131)

Gifts and farewells

After the pattābhisheka, Śrī Rāma gave gifts on a scale fit for the king of the Ikshvāku line.

To the brāhmaṇas: lakhs of fine horses, milk cows and bulls, thirty crores of gold coins, and countless ornaments and clothes.
To Sugrīva: a golden necklace blazing like the rays of the sun.
To Aṅgada: two golden armbands set with diamonds, gems and vaidūrya.
To the vānara leaders Mainda, Dvivida, Nīla and all the elders: gifts as each one preferred and asked.

(Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Yuddha Kāṇḍa, Chapter 131)

Sītā’s gift to Hanumān

Śrī Rāma gave Sītā Devī a pearl necklace, milk-white, of the finest quality and matchless beauty. Sītā took it in her hands. She looked from Rāma to the gathered vānaras, and then back to Rāma, with a long and meaningful gaze.

Rāma understood her heart. He said: “O Sundarī! Find the one among these vānaras who has the finest strength, courage and wisdom, the one most worthy of your honour, and give it to him.” Sītā took off the necklace and placed it around Hanumān’s neck. (Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Yuddha Kāṇḍa, Chapter 131)

The necklace on Hanumān was white as moonlight. It made him shine like a pure mountain peak washed in moonbeams, with the garland of light upon him as he stood among all the heroes.

Rāmarājya

After they received their gifts, the vānara leaders bowed to Śrī Rāma, took his leave and went to Kishkindhā. Sugrīva went back to his kingdom with joy. Vibhīshaṇa had received from Śrī Rāma the most precious gift of all, the family devatā of the Ikshvākus, to keep in his heart. He went to Laṅkā. (Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Yuddha Kāṇḍa, Chapter 131)

Śrī Rāma then offered the post of yuvarāja (crown prince) to Lakshmaṇa, who refused it firmly. Rāma then made Bharata the yuvarāja. He then performed the Pauṇḍarīka, the Aśvamedha, the Vājapeya and many other great yajñas one after another. (Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Yuddha Kāṇḍa, Chapter 131)

Under Śrī Rāma’s rule, Rāmarājya began. No woman was widowed early. No child died while its parents lived. The people were free from the fear of wild animals, disease and theft, and from all misfortune. Rāma ruled for ten thousand years. He performed hundreds of Aśvamedha yajñas, with choice horses and rich dakshiṇās (gifts to the priests). With Lakshmaṇa always beside him, he upheld the Ikshvāku dharma of kingship in its fullest form. (Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Yuddha Kāṇḍa, Chapter 131)

The meaning of the coronation

The Rāma Pattābhisheka is the high point of the whole Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, and not only of the Yuddha Kāṇḍa. Every promise is kept, every separation ends, and everyone who was driven out is restored. Bharata gave up the kingdom without a thought for himself. This is shown in the picture of the great tree and the calf that cannot bear the weight of the bull.

The Govindarājīya commentary says that the coronation with water from all four oceans shows that the rule of Bhagavān Śrī Rāma reaches to the full extent of the known world, the earth ringed by the ocean in all four directions. It is not only a poetic touch. It declares that this avatāra truly fulfilled the purpose for which Bhagavān Vishṇu came down.

Sītā’s gift to Hanumān is one of the best-loved last scenes of the Yuddha Kāṇḍa. The pearl necklace passes from the hand of Bhagavān Rāma to Bhagavatī Sītā and then to the greatest devotee, Hanumān. In this one act of love and recognition, Bhagavān Rāma, Sītā Devī and Hanumān the devotee are joined.

Sources

Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Yuddha Kāṇḍa, Chapters 128–131
Govindarājīya commentary on the Rāmāyaṇa