When King Dasharatha decided to crown his beloved Son Lord Rama as the next King of Ayodhya. The subordinate kings unequivocally support the crowning of Lord Rama. King Dasharatha asked them to enumerate the various qualities of Rama. These are the qualities.
Those great souls along with the citizens of Ayodhya and other nations said to him, “O king, your son possesses numerous auspicious qualities. O lord, we shall describe in full the dear and pleasing attributes of the intelligent and godlike Rama who is a storehouse of excellent qualities. Now listen to them. Rama, whose prowess is unfailing, is greater than Indra in divine qualities. He has in fact surpassed all the descendants of the Ikshvaku Dynasty, O ruler of men. Rama is the most righteous person in the world. He is truthful and dedicated to truthfulness. Righteousness and prosperity have sprung directly from Lord Rama. He is equal to the moon in pleasing the people and His forgiveness matches that of the earth. In intelligence He is equal to Brihaspati and in valor He is equal to Indra, the husband of Shaci. He is conversant with the principles of righteousness, is true to His vow, is well-mannered and non-envious. He is peaceful, comforting, mild, grateful and in control of His senses. He is gentle, steady-minded, always gracious and never malevolent. He speaks kindly to all living beings and always tells the truth. He is devoted to the learned, the elderly and the Brahmanas. By this, His unequaled glory, fame and influence have been enhanced.
He is expert in the use of the weapons of the demigods, demons and men. He has concluded His vow of studying all the sciences, as also the branches of the Vedas. Rama, the elder brother of Bharata, has proven to be the most expert in the art of music in the world. He is of auspicious lineage, saintly, noble-minded, and highly intelligent. He has been fully instructed by the foremost of Brahmanas who were skilled in ascertaining the principles of righteousness.
Whenever He sets out in expedition with Lakshmana, the son of Sumitra, for the benefit of a village or town, He never comes back without being victorious. While returning from a campaign on the back of an elephant or in a chariot, He inquires about the well-being of the citizens, as well as their children, wives, sacrifices, servants and students, as if they were His own relatives, as a father would about the sons born from his own loins. Rama, the lion among men, always asks the Brahmanas, “Are you being served by your disciples?”, and the Kshatriyas, “Are you protected by guards in armor?”
When people are in difficulty, He becomes sorely distressed and He revels in all their celebrations as if He were their father. He speaks truthfully, can wield the mighty bow of Shiva, serves His elders and has conquered His mind and senses. He always smiles before talking and has embraced righteousness with his whole being. He perfectly accomplishes beneficial deeds and does not take pleasure in wrangling. In argumentation He is on a par with Brihaspati. With well-formed eyebrows and large, reddish eyes, He looks as if He is directly Lord Vishnu Himself. This Rama delights the world with His heroism, valor and prowess. He is engaged in protecting the citizens and his mind is never overcome with passion. He is capable of ruling the three worlds, what to speak of this earth. His anger and favor are never fruitless. He slays those who deserve to be killed according to ordinance and is never angry with those who do not deserve to be killed. He jubilantly bestows wealth upon one with whom He is pleased. Rama shines like the brilliant sun with its rays by dint of His qualities, such as self-control, dearness to all people and bestowal of delight on everyone.
Endowed as He is with such qualities, the earth desires to have Rama, whose prowess is unfailing and who is the unmatched protector of the world, as her Lord. Fortunately enough, this son of yours is quite capable of beneficial acts. He is also luckily endowed with all the good qualities of a son, just like Kashyapa, the son of Marici. Everyone among the demigods, asuras, mortals, gandharvas and celestial serpents, as well as all the people of the nation of Koshala and its capital Ayodhya, the residents of the palace and those outside, the urban and rural populations of the state, all pray for the strength, health and long life of the illustrious Rama. The elder and younger women day and night devotedly bow to all the demigods on behalf of the wise Rama. O lord, let their entreaty be fulfilled by your mercy. Let us see installed as prince regent your eldest son Rama, whose is the color of a dark lotus and the destroyer of all enemies. For our benefit, O bestower of boons, you should joyfully install without delay your son, who is equal to Vishnu, the God of gods, intent as He is on procuring the welfare of all people.”
This concludes the second chapter of Valmiki Ramayana, Ayodhya Khand.
Mangalam Koshalendraya Mahaniya Gunapdaye
Chakravarthi Dhanurjaya Sarva Bhaumaya Mangalam
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