Shloka 48
जटा निर्मुच्य विधिवत् कुलवृद्धै: समं गुरु: । अभ्यषिञ्चद् यथैवेन्द्रं चतु:सिन्धुजलादिभि: ॥ ४८ ॥
jaṭā nirmucya vidhivat kula-vṛddhaiḥ samaṁ guruḥ abhyaṣiñcad yathaivendraṁ catuḥ-sindhu-jalādibhiḥ
Then the spiritual master Vasiṣṭha, with the elders of the dynasty assisting, duly removed Lord Rāma’s matted locks and purified His head. Thereafter he performed Rāma’s abhiṣeka with water from the four seas and other sacred substances, just as the consecration is performed for King Indra.
FAQs
It describes that after His matted hair was properly loosened, the elders and the royal preceptor consecrated Lord Rāmacandra with sacred waters from the four oceans and other holy sources, like the enthronement of Indra.
Indra is cited as the standard example of a celestial king being ritually consecrated; the comparison highlights the grandeur and Vedic legitimacy of Lord Rāma’s enthronement.
It emphasizes honoring sacred procedures, respecting elders and teachers, and approaching leadership as a sanctified duty carried out with purity, responsibility, and dharma.