Chapter LXXXI: Section VI

When the priest had gone away, Rama, having bathed and with a collected mind, began to adore Narayana, in company with his wife having expansive eyes. Then raising the vessel of clarified butter unto his head (by way of paying reverence), he in accordance with the ordinance began to offer oblations unto the flaming fire on behalf of that mighty deity. Then, having partaken of the remaining quantity of the clarified butter, Rama prayed for his own welfare, and meditated on the god Narayana. The son of the best of men with a collected mind, and restraining his speech lay down on a _kuca_ bed together with Vaidehi within the graceful dwelling of Vishnu.

When a single watch only remained of the night, Rama awoke, and made his residence well decorated. Now he hearing the melodious utterances of genealogists and panegyrists and Brahmanas versed in the _Puranas_, Rama finished devotions for the prior twilight, and with an intent mind began to recite (_Savatri_)[113] And clad in a clear silk dress, he with bended head hymned the destroyer of Madhu, and made the regenerate ones perform the _Swastivachana_ ceremony. Already resounding with the blares of trumpets, Ayodhya became filled with the sweet and solemn tones of the expression "Holy day" uttered by them. The denizens of Ayodhya, hearing that Raghava had fasted with Vaidehi, rejoiced exceedingly.

Then the citizens, hearing of the installation of Rama, and seeing that the night had departed, fell to adorning the city. Standards with pennons were beautifully reared up in the abodes of the gods resembling a peak, enveloped with white clouds, and at the crossing, and on high-ways; and over the chaitya tree; and edifices; and over the warehouses of merchants abounding in goods and the goodly and prosperous mansions of householders; and over all the council-houses; and conspicuous trees. The multitude then heard the music, soothing unto the ear and heart, of stage managers, dancers and singers chanting. The people began to talk with each other anent the installation of Rama; and the time for his installation having arrived, on terraces and houses, and doorways boys playing in bodies, conversed with each other concerning the installation of Rama. On the occasion of the investiture of Rama, the goodly high-ways were adorned with garlands,and scented with _dhupa_ incense--by the citizens. And fearing lest Rama should come out over night (to behold the beautified capital), the inhabitants of the city, by way of ornamentation as with the view of beholding Rama himself, had by the road side reared up lamp-stands in the form of (branched) trees. Eagerly expecting the investiture of Rama as the heir apparent, all having thus ornamented the city and assembling themselves on terraces and in council-halls, talking with each other, extolled the lord of men, saying,--"Ah high-souled is this king--the perpetuator of the Ikshwaku race; for, knowing himself as old, he will install Rama in the kingdom. Obliged we have been, since good Rama capable of reading character, will be the lord of earth, and our protector. He is of a heart devoid of arrogance, and is learned; and righteous-souled; and affectionate to his brothers. Raghava loveth us even as he doth bis own brothers. May the sinless and pious king Dacaratha live long; for it is through his grace that we shall behold Rama installed. The inhabitants of the provinces, who having heard the tidings, had come from various regions, heard the citizens conversing thus. Desirous of beholding the installation of Rama, they coming into the city from various directions, filled Rama's city. As the vast concourse entered (the city), there was heard an uproar like unto the roaring of the heaving ocean during the fullness of the moon. Then that city resembling the regions of Indra, being filled on all sides with tumult raised by the dwellers of the provinces who had come to behold (the installation), resembled the ocean when its waters are agitated by the aquatic animals inhabiting it.

[113] The celebrated hymn to the sun, the most sacred thing in all the
Vedas.--T.