Valmiki Ramayana 2.5.3-4: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 5, Shlokas 3-4
अभिषेकोपवास-आदेशः
Coronation Preparations and the Fast Enjoined
तथेति च स राजानमुक्त्वा वेदविदां वरः ।
स्वयं वसिष्ठो भगवान्ययौ रामनिवेशनम् ॥३॥
उपवासयितुं रामं मन्त्रवन्मन्त्रकोविदः ।
ब्राह्मं रथवरं युक्तमास्थाय सुदृढव्रतः ॥४॥
tatheti ca sa rājānamuktvā vedavidāṃ varaḥ |
svayaṃ vasiṣṭho bhagavānyayau rāmaniveśanam ||3||
upavāsayituṃ rāmaṃ mantravanmantrakovidaḥ |
brāhmaṃ rathavaraṃ yuktamāsthāya sudṛḍhavrataḥ ||4||
ರಾಜನಿಗೆ 'ಅದೇ ಆಗಲಿ' ಎಂದು ಹೇಳಿ, ವೇದಜ್ಞಾನಿಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠನಾದ, ಮಂತ್ರಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ನಿಪುಣನಾದ, ದೃಢ ವ್ರತವುಳ್ಳ ಭಗವಾನ್ ವಸಿಷ್ಠರು ಸ್ವತಃ ಅಶ್ವಗಳಿಂದ ಯುಕ್ತವಾದ ಬ್ರಾಹ್ಮಣೋಚಿತ ಉತ್ತಮ ರಥವನ್ನು ಏರಿ, ರಾಮನಿಗೆ ಮಂತ್ರಪೂರ್ವಕವಾಗಿ ಉಪವಾಸವನ್ನು ಆಚರಿಸಲು ನಿರ್ದೇಶಿಸಲು ರಾಮನ ನಿವಾಸಕ್ಕೆ ಹೋದರು.
Venerabel Vasistha, the best amongst the knowers of the Vedas, skilled in mantras and firm in his vows said to the king, 'Be it so.' Thereafter, mounted on the best of the chariots befitting a brahmin, with horses harnesed he proceeded personally to the abode of Rama to ask him to undertake a fast in accompaniment with mantras preceding the installation ceremony.
FAQs
The verse illustrates Guru-Shishya Dharma (the sacred teacher-student relationship) and Rajadharma. Vasistha's immediate compliance with the king's request shows the sage's duty to guide the royal family, while the ritual fast represents the Vedic tradition of spiritual preparation before assuming important responsibilities.
King Dasaratha has instructed Vasistha to prepare Rama for his coronation by having him observe a ritual fast. Vasistha, the family priest and Vedic sage, accepts the command and personally travels to Rama's residence in a brahmin's chariot to convey these instructions.
The virtue of Acharyabhakti (devotion to one's teacher) and Vedic discipline are emphasized. Vasistha's firmness in vows (sudṛḍhavrata) and expertise in mantras (mantrakovida) highlight the ideal qualities of a spiritual preceptor, while his personal visit shows the honor due to the heir apparent.
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