After the victory

The gods and the gandharvas sang and the apsarasas danced at Rama8217;s coronation since he fully deserved that honour. The earth yielded h...

The gods and the gandharvas sang and the apsarasas danced at Rama8217;s coronation since he fully deserved that honour. The earth yielded her bounty, trees produced fruit and flowers released their perfumes for Rama. Rama distributed one hundred thousand horses, bulls and cows with calves to brahmins along with gold and jewels and clothes. He gave Sugriva a golden garland studded with jewels that shone like the sun, lapis armbands studded with diamonds to resolute Angada and a necklace of incomparable pearls as white as the moon to Sita. Sita watched as Rama gave clothes and jewels to Hanuman. She unhooked the pearl necklace and said softly to her husband, 8216;8216;Give this to Hanuman for all he did to make you happy. He is brave and strong and intelligent at all times!8217;8217; Sita gave the pearls to the son of the Wind and with them around his neck, he shone like a white cloud on top of a mountain when it is lit up by the rays of the moon. All the other monkeys received gifts that were worthy of them. They were all thrilled and they honoured Rama before they returned to the place from where they had come.

Righteous Rama, who was known for his generosity, began to rule his kingdom now that he had defeated his enemies and won fame. 8216;8216;Stay by me to rule this kingdom that was established by the strength of our forefathers, honourable Laksmana!8217;8217; he said. 8216;8216;You are my equal in every way. You must rule along with me as my regent!8217;8217; Even though Rama asked him again and again, Laksmana refused and finally Rama had to consecrate Bharata his heir.

Thus, Rama reclaimed his incomparable kingdom along with his ministers, friends and family. He propitiated the gods with many magnificent sacrifices. He ruled for ten thousand years and performed one hundred horse sacrifices with the finest horses and extravagant gifts.

Under Rama8217;s rule, no one ever heard the wailing of widows, nor was there any fear of disease or poisonous snakes. There was no cruelty or injustice and the old never had to do the work of the young. There was happiness everywhere and dharma flourished. People took their example from Rama and were never violent towards each other. Everybody lived for a thousand years and had a thousand sons. They knew neither disease nor unhappiness. Trees yielded fruit and flowers all year, the rains always came at the right time and the touch of the wind was always pleasant. Everybody did their own work and happily lived the lives prescribed for them. Everyone abided by dharma and there was no unrighteousness. Rama ruled his honourable and prosperous people for ten thousand years.

Extracted from Arshia Sattar8217;s translation of Valmiki8217;s Ramayana Viking