Sri Rama getting coronated (Pattabhishekam)

(Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda - 128)

• Meditation: I meditate on Sri Rama getting coronated after returning from forest exile.

• Bharata praying Sri Rama to accept the kingdom: Bharata then prayed to Sri Rama to accept the kingdom which he was managing as his keeper till the real master arrives. Sri Rama agreed to take back the kingdom.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda - 128).

• Adorning Sri Rama: Bharata then arranged for skilled barbers to remove the matted hairs of Sri Rama. Shatrughna arranged for the royal adornment of Sri Rama (bathing, smearing the body with sandal pastes of various colours, adorning with garlands and royal clothing). The mothers of Sri Rama adorned Devi Sita. Kaushalya adorned the wives of the monkeys.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda - 128).

• Sri Rama going around the city: Sumantra came with the royal chariot. Sri Rama ascended the chariot to see the city. Bharata took the reins and drove the chariot. Shatrughna held the royal parasol over the head of Sri Rama. Lakshmana fanned him. Vibhisana stood nearby with a white fan. The celestials praised Sri Rama from the firmament. Sugreeva and the other vanaras followed Sri Rama on thousands of elephants. Sri Rama saw the city of Ayodhya accompanied by the sounds of conches, kettle-drums, other musical instruments and songs. The citizens of Ayodhya greeted Sri Rama. Sri Rama reciprocated. Many citizens followed Sri Rama. Sri Rama narrated the achievements of vanaras to the ministers. The citizens of Ayodhya became astonished. Sri Rama also told about Vibhisana.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda - 128).

• Sri Rama entering the royal palace: Sri Rama then entered the royal palace. He saluted his mothers; Kaushalya, Sumitra and Kaikeyi. Then he told Bharata to arrange for the stay of Sugreeva in that palace. Bharata took Sugreeva inside the palace.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda - 128).

• Vanaras fetching sea-water for coronation: Bharata requested Sugreeva to make arrangements for the coronation of Sri Rama. Sugreeva gave four golden jars to four leaders of vanaras and told them to fetch sea-waters from the four directions during the dawn of the next day. Jambavan, Hanuman, Vegadarshi and Rishabha brought water from five hundred rivers. Sushena brought water from the eastern sea. Rishabha brought water from the southern sea covered with stems of red sandalwood tree. Gavaya brought water from the western sea. Nala brought water from the northern sea. Shatrughna informed Vasistha that waters for the coronation of Sri Rama has been fetched by the vanaras.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda - 128).

• Sage Vasistha performing the coronation of Sri Rama: Sage Vasistha then made Sri Rama and Devi Sita sit on the royal throne. Vasistha, Vamadeva, Jabali, Kashyapa, Katyayana, Suyagna, Gautama and Vijaya consecrated Sri Rama with fragrant waters. The priests, virgins, ministers, warriors and merchants sprinkled the sap of medicinal herbs on Sri Rama. The celestials too sprinkled sap on Sri Raam from the firmament. Vasistha then placed the royal crown on the head of Sri Rama which was created by Lord Brahma during the coronation of Manu. Shatrughna held the white royal parasol over the head of Sri Rama. Sugreeva and Vibhisana held the royal white whisks. Vayudeva presented Sri Rama with a golden garland studded with gems. The celestial musicians played music and the apsaras danced. On that auspicious occasion the trees became laden with fruits and flowers.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda - 128).

• Sri Rama bestowing gifts: Sri Rama gave the brahmanas hundred thousand horses and cows along with hundred bulls. Sri Rama also gave thirty crores of gold coins along with costly jewels and clothing. Sri Rama gifted Sugreeva a beautiful garland studded with gems. Sri Rama gifted Angada a beautiful bracelet studded with cat's eye gem (vaidurya) for the upper arms. Sri Rama gave Devi Sita a beautiful pearl necklace studded with gems along with clothings and ornaments. Devi Sita wished to give the pearl necklace to Hanuman. Understanding her gesture, Sri Rama told her to give it to one with whom she is pleased and who is endowed with qualities like Tejas (Sharpness and Splendour), Dhriti (Firmness), Yashas (Glory, Fame), Daksha (Dexterity), Samarthya (Capability), Vinaya (Modesty), Naya (Wisdom, Prudence), Paurusha (Manliness), Vikrama (Prowess), Buddhi (Intelligence) etc. Devi Sita gifted that necklace to Hanuman. Sri Rama then gifted the other vanaras and Vibhisana suitably.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda - 128).

• Vanaras and Vibhisana returning: Honoured by Sri Rama, the vanaras returned to Kishkindha. Vibhisana returned to Lanka.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda - 128).

• Sri Rama establishing the rule of Dharma: Sri Rama asked Lakshmana to take the position of the crown prince. Lakshmana declined. Sri Rama then made Bharata the crown prince. Sri Rama performed several yagnas like Paundarika, Ashvamedha and Vajapeya to propitiate the gods. Sri Rama ruled for ten thousand years and performed a hundred Ashwamedha yagnas. Lakshmana served as a companion during the rule of Sri Rama. The kingdom became free of grief - no widows lamenting, no untimely death, no fear of wild animals, no terrible diseases and no thieves and robbers existing. Looking at Sri Rama, everyone became intent on virtue and their talks became centred around "Rama, Rama, Rama". The trees became filled with flowers and fruits. Clouds rained on time. The four classes of people became intent on performing their respective duties. By listening to the deeds of Sri Rama, may all be filled with joy.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda - 128).

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