10. TWO PROMISES REVIVED

In his busy life Dasaratha perhaps had never studied his

mirror properly. He had had no occasion to scrutinize himself

too long in the mirror or engage himself in any introspection.

Suddenly one day he noticed the whitening hair and the

wrinkles under his eyes—noticed the slight tremor of his

hands, the fatigue of his legs while engaged in a game, and

realized that age had come on. It was by no means

inconsiderable. The original poet Valmiki mentions that

Dasaratha was sixty thousand years old! In our modern

reckoning we may not agree with that figure, but put it at

sixty, seventy, or eighty years; whatever it was, ripeness is

indicated.

In the loneliness of his chamber, Dasaratha told himself,

"One must know when to cease, and not wait for death or

dotage. While my faculties are intact, let me seek retirement

and rest. There is no sense in continuing and repeating the

same set of activities performed all these several thousand

years, as it seems to me now. Enough, I have done enough. I

must now find the time to stand back and watch and lay

aside the burdens of office."

He arrived at a drastic decision. He summoned his aide to the door, and told him to summon Sumanthra, his chief

minister, immediately. "Send round an announcement for all

our officers and public men, sages and wisemen, and all our

allies and kings and relations to gather at our hall of

assembly. Let as many as possible arrive."

He added, while Sumanthra waited, "No need to inform,

among our relatives, Aswapathi." He was the father of his

third wife, Kaikeyi. Bharatha, her son, had gone there to

spend a few days with his grandfather. "No need to trouble

Janaka either. Mithila is too far away, and he will not be able

to come in time."

"Is there anyone else to be omitted?"

"No. Invite as many as you can conveniently, and all our

citizens." Messengers were dispatched in all directions. The

assembly hall filled up. Dasaratha ascended the steps to his

seat and, after the routine ceremonials, gestured to all to

resume their seats, and spoke:

"I have performed my duties as King of this country long

enough. Now I have an irresistible feeling that the burden

must be shifted over to younger shoulders. What do you

gentlemen think about it? Under the white umbrella of the

royal state, apparently there has been no change—but

actually the body under it is withering. I have lived and

functioned long enough. If I still thought that I should continue

thus endlessly, it would amount to avarice. The other day I

realized that my signature on a document was hazy. My hand must have trembled without my knowing it. The time has

come for me to sit back and rest—and anticipate the coming

of grandchildren. If you will agree, I want to hand over the

kingdom to Rama. He should be my successor, an

embodiment of all perfection. He is perfect and will be a

perfect ruler. He has compassion, a sense of justice, and

courage, and he makes no distinctions between human

beings—old or young, prince or peasant; he has the same

consideration for everyone. In courage, valour, and all the

qualities—none to equal him. He will be your best protector

from any hostile force, be it human or subhuman or

superhuman. His asthras, acquired from his master

Viswamithra, have never been known to miss their mark… . I

hope I shall have your support in anointing him immediately

as the Emperor of Kosala."

A joyous shout rang through the assembly. Dasaratha

waited for it to subside and asked, "I note the zest with which

you welcome my successor. Should I take it that you do so

because you have been bearing with me silently for any

reason all these years, although I had thought I had

dedicated my life fully to the welfare of my subjects?"

A spokesman rose and explained. "Do not mistake us,

Your Majesty. It is our love for Rama that makes us so happy

now. We have long looked forward to this moment. To see

him ride the Royal Elephant in full paraphernalia through the

streets of our capital is a vision of the future that we cherish,young and old alike, for we are lost in the splend our of Rama's personality. It is that anticipation that makes us

applaud your proposal so unreservedly. It is not that we do

not wish for the continuance of Your Majesty."

Dasaratha said, "I agree with you. I just wanted to know

without a trace of doubt that you approve of my desire to

make Rama your King. I desire that tomorrow when the

Pushya star is in combination with the moon, and the time is

auspicious, Rama be crowned."

He summoned his minister and the priest. "Let everything,

every little detail be ready for the ceremony of coronation

tomorrow. Let there be widespread decorations and have all

items ready at the coronation hall. Let the streets be

washed, cleaned, and decorated. Let people feast and play

and enjoy themselves unlimitedly. Let there be arrangements

to serve a feast continuously in every corner of this capital…

."

He sent for Rama. He watched his arrival from his

balcony, received him warmly, took him aside, and said,

"Tomorrow, you will be crowned as my successor. I need

rest from work."

Rama accepted the proposal with a natural ease.

Dasaratha continued. "You know everything, but still I feel it a

duty to say a few words. You will have to pursue a policy of

absolute justice under all circumstances. Humility and soft

speech—there could be really no limit to these virtues. There can be no place in a king's heart for lust, anger, or

meanness." He went on thus for some time and terminated

the meeting. When Rama was back in his palace, explaining

the situation to Sita, Sumanthra was once again knocking on

his door.

"Your father summons you."

"Again? I have just come from him."

"He knows it, but wants you again."