History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v4.c62.184

v4.c62.184

In the Rāmāyaṇa there are numerous references to coronation. In the Yuddhakhāṇḍa 131 we have a lengthy description of the coronation of Rāma. Some of the salient features are: Rāma was shaved that day, had a bath and put on costly clothes. Sītā also was suitably dressed and ornamented. Rāma sat in a chariot and went through the capital, when Bharata held the reins, Śatrughna held the umbrella, Lakṣmaṇa the white *chowrie*; then Rāma rode an elephant; drums were beaten and conches were blown; as auspicious signs gold, cows, maidens, brāhmaṇas, men with sweetmeats in their hands passed in front of Rāma; the citizens had raised banners on every house; Jāmbavān, Hanumān and two others brought four jars full of sea-water and waters of five hundred rivers were brought in jars; the aged Vasiṣṭha, the family priest, seated Rāma and Sītā on a jewelled throne; Vasiṣṭha and other sages sprinkled Rāma with the holy and scented waters, then maidens, the ministers, soldiers, the guilds of merchants also sprinkled Rāma; Vasiṣṭha placed an ancient crown on Rāma's head; there was dancing and singing; Rāma gave presents to the priests and to his friends and to such helpers as Sugrīva, Aṅgada, Bibhīṣaṇa and others and Sītā gave a necklace to Hanumān. In the Ayodhyākāṇḍa 15 we have a description of preparations for the abhiṣeka of Rāma as yuvarāja. The Raghuvaṁśa XVII. 10 mentions the coronation of Kuśa's son with waters of holy rivers (tīrthas) from golden jars.