Shloka 4.26.36
महाभिषेकः — Sugriva’s Coronation and Angada’s Installation
ततो हेमप्रतिष्ठाने वरास्तरणसंवृते।प्रासादशिखरे रम्ये चित्रमाल्योपशोभिते4.26.31।।प्राङ्मुखं विविधैर्मन्त्रै: स्थापयित्वा वरासने।नदीनदेभ्यस्संहृत्य तीर्थेभ्यश्च समन्ततः4.26.32।।आहृत्य च समुद्रेभ्यस्सर्वेभ्यो वानरर्षभाः।अपः कनककुम्भेषु निधाय विमलाश्शुभाः4.26.33।।शुभैर्वृषभशृङ्गैश्च कलशैश्चापि काञ्चनैः।शास्त्रदृष्टेन विधिना महर्षिविहितेन च4.26.34।।गजो गवाक्षो गवयश्शरभो गन्धमादनः।मैन्दश्च द्विविदश्चैव हनुमान्जाम्बवान्नलः4.26.35।।अभ्यषिञ्चन्त सुग्रीवं प्रसन्नेन सुगन्धिना।सलिलेन सहस्राक्षं वसवो वासवं यथा4.26.36।।
abhyaṣiñcanta sugrīvaṃ prasannena sugandhinā |
salilena sahasrākṣaṃ vasavo vāsavaṃ yathā ||
They anointed Sugrīva with clear, fragrant water—just as the Vasus once bathed Sahasrākṣa (Indra), the lord of the devas.
Then Sugriva was seated facing the east on a golden throne with fine coverings on top of the mansion decorated with multicoloured garlands. As per tradition, sacred waters collected from rivers and rivulets and stored in golden pots was aportioned in accordance with the procedure ordained by the sages in sastras. At the appropriate time the pure and fragrant water was poured by Gaja, Gavaya, Sarabha, Mainda, Dvivida, Hanumanta, Jambavan and Nala on Sugriva, the bull among monkeys through horns of bulls and jars of gold, like the eight Vasus bathed the thousandeyed Indra. Thus they performed the consecration.
Dharma is the sanctification of authority: kingship is portrayed as a sacred trust, elevated through purity and auspicious rites, aligning earthly rule with cosmic order.
Sugrīva’s consecration is completed by pouring fragrant, pure water upon him, likened to Indra’s divine anointing by the Vasus.
Fitness to rule through purity and rightful installation—Sugrīva’s acceptance as king is validated by ritual propriety and collective assent.