Pattabhisheka sarga

 The pattabhisheka sarga is typically read once the Sundara Kaandam reading is completed. This sarga can be divided into the following parts:

(1) Bharata handing over the kingdom to Rama

Bharata gives 4 examples why he wants to hand over the kingdom to Rama:

(1) Like a young bull cannot carry the load anymore, and it has to be borne by a more experienced bovine

(2) Like a dam which is about to breach

(3) Like a donkey trying to imitate a horse, a crow trying to imitate a swan in its gait

(4) Like a tree which has grown without enough care and attention and soon, will serve little purpose

From these examples, it is clear Bharata cannot do the job anymore! Rama accepts Bharata's request to rule the kingdom

(2) Everyone gets ready!

Shatrughna gets a barber (smashrukaah!) to ensure Rama's jata is cut after his stay in the forest. Rama is fully ready with a fresh set of royal clothes!

There are lot of details on how everyone gets ready- the ceremonial bath is taken by lakshamana, Bharata and others. Seeta is dressed by Kausalya. The vanaras and their wives too get ready.

There is mention that Seeta and Sugriva's wife go for a tour around Ayodhya (nagara utsukaa)

(3) Rama's chariot and the procession to Ayodhya:

Rama is not in Ayodhya yet. He takes a ratha to go to Ayodhya. The procession to Ayodhya is described in great detail- how Bharata holds the reins of the chariot where Rama is seated, how Shatrughna holds the royal umbrella, how Lakshmana holds the fan and Vibhishana the whisk.

There is music, there is dance, there are people milling around Rama's chariot. They wave at him, he waves back!

(4) At Ayodhya:

Once the chariot reaches Ayodhya, the main coronation arrangements are describes.

Rama gives his palace for Sugriva to stay. Sugriva gets 4 vanaras and asks them to get water from the 4 oceans- North, South, East and West before the following morning (pratyusha samaye). These 4 are: Jambavan, Hanuman, Gavaya and Rishabha. 

From 500 rivers, water is brought (pancha shataani). All this is for the ceremonial bath.

(5) The coronation ceremony:

Rama and Sita are made to sit on the royal throne. The ceremony is officiated by Vasishtha. There are 8 priests in all- like 8 vasus around Vaasava (Indra).

The royal crown is placed on Rama. It is the same crown that was got from Lord Brahma and worn by successive kings starting from Manu.

Just like in the chariot procession, we have Lakshmana, Bharata, Shatrughna and Vibhishana participate in the same way- one holds the fan, the other holds the whisk, another holds the royal, white umbrella etc. This is the "parivara picture" that we find in the Rama pattabhishekam paintings. There is no mention of Hanuman, in terms of him, doing a particular job. Perhaps, he is with Rama all the time, with no specific job assigned to him during the coronation.

Indra sends a gift for Rama, through Vayu.

(6) Rama gifts:

Rama gives a gift to everyone- to Sugriva, to Angada, to Seeta too, to Hanuman! Seeta takes a necklace from her neck. Rama reads her mind and says, you can give it to the one who deserves it most. She gives it to Hanuman.

With the white mala around his head, Hanuman shines like a mountain covered by white clouds, like the moon. This is the last reference to Hanuman.

(7) Everyone takes leave:

Sugriva takes leave and goes back to Kishkindha. Vibhishana takes leave and goes back to Lanka. There is no mention about Hanuman. We have to assume he stayed back with Rama. The text is silent.

(8) Rama Rajya:

Rama rules for 10,000 years (dasha-varsha shataani). It describes how he does many yagnyas (ashwamedha etc.), how everyone is happy, how everyone is talking only about him, how there is nothing unfortunate that befalls anyone etc. Nature too is bountiful during Rama's rajya. That is also mentioned.

(9) Phala-shruti:

The text ends on this note- how all auspiciousness accrues to a person who reads this ancient text.