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The Twenty-Seventh Chapter
The people who take refuge in a country live happily and the learned residents of the ashram remain free from anxiety. ||27|| The king receives one-sixth of the merit of the austerities performed by the holy men who take refuge in his country. ||28||
Hearing all this, King Dasharatha immediately summoned Rama and was eager to give him the kingdom. ||29|| The ministers, all excited, came together, accompanied by elephants and horses, the sound of loud drums filling the air. ||30|| The valiant warriors, their bodies shining, arrived, carrying golden pitchers filled with water and their weapons strapped to their waists. ||31|| Women, adorned in beautiful attire and with the sound of their anklets ringing, arrived carrying chests filled with clothes and ornaments. ||32|| Seeing all this preparation, Rama asked, "What is this?" King Dasharatha replied, "My son, you will rule this earth." ||33|| "A hostile army has arrived here, one that is invincible even to the gods. I will go and conquer them for the welfare of the people." ||34|| Then, Rama, with lotus-like eyes, said to King Dasharatha, "Father, why are you angry in this situation?" ||35|| "What can be achieved by those wicked, speechless, animal-like beings, for whose sake you are going to battle?" ||36|| "Even the best elephants are not disturbed by the opposition of mice, nor does the sun strive to burn cotton." ||37|| "It is appropriate for me to go there. Please give me your command." Hearing this, the king, his body filled with joy, embraced Rama and said, ||38|| "My dear Rama, you are still a child, your body is delicate, and your eyes are like lotuses. How can you conquer them? I do not believe it." ||39|| Rama replied, "Even a small fire, born just now, can burn a vast forest. What is the use of the big ones? ||40|| A young sun alone destroys the great darkness and the brilliance of the stars. What is the use of its power?" ||41||