Passage 10

Tap any word for its meaning.

In plain words

Seeing that this was the right moment, Sītā at once put the garland round Rāma's neck. The wedding took place in splendour. Everyone set out for Ayodhyā. On the way, there was a clash with Paraśurāma. Between two joys there is a hardship too, is there not! But Rāma overcame Paraśurāma. Everyone reached Ayodhyā. Some time passed happily.

One day, at three in the early morning, Daśaratha had a nightmare. Daśaratha believed that a dream seen at that hour comes true. Many ill omens appeared: as though he had grown old, as though his hands and legs were shaking. He rose in great distress. “I shall not be here much longer. So Rāma must be crowned at once. No preparations are needed for it,” he resolved then and there. He consulted Vasiṣṭha and got his consent. He sent for Rāma: “Rāma! I have resolved to crown you tomorrow. Be ready,” he said. Rāma is all-knowing, all-powerful, all-pervading. Even so, thinking it not right to contradict His father's word, He pondered a little while: “Father! Bharata and Śatrughna are not here, are they! They too must come, must they not!” He said. “That is no concern of yours. Take my command upon your head,” said Daśaratha. Then Rāma: “We four were born of the pāyasa of the yajña; our naming, our first letters, our upanayana and our weddings were all done for the four of us alike, on one day. Then why should I alone be crowned now? Crown all four of us at the same time,” He said; and Daśaratha: “My son! The kingdom is one. So the king too must be only one. It is not possible to crown all four,” he said. “With the kingdom divided into four parts, all four of us can be crowned at one time,” said Rāma. Daśaratha's head spun. “Rāma! Go outside for a little while,” he said. He sent for Vasiṣṭha and discussed the matter with him.