We had seen the book on war or Yuddha Kanda coming to a close barring the last two chapters. After administering the test on Sita’s character, Rama reunites with Sita and travels along with Lakshmana, Vanaras and everyone else over all the places they had resided in exile. Rama shows to Sita all the landmarks from the aerial vehicle Pushpaka. Thus they reach the place of sage Bharadwaja. The sage could know everything Rama went through from the day he left Ayodhya to the day he killed Ravana by virtue of his asceticism. Rama also asks Hanuman to inform Bharata, about their arrival at the proximity of Ayodhya, along with Sugreeva and Vibhishana. Accordingly, Hanuman approaches Guha and Bharata in Nandigrama and informs the pleasant news about the welfare of Rama as well as his impending return to Ayodhya. Bharata is overjoyed on hearing the glad tidings from Hanuman and asks him everything about Rama while he is in exile. Hanuman tells the story of Rama after taking leave from Bharata and till he completes his exile, much to the joy of Bharata who is most eagerly waiting to give back the rule of Ayodhya to Rama. Thus, we arrive at the doorstep of coronation of Rama. This has to happen in book two or Ayodhya Kanda but waited for so long till the end of book six or Yuddha Kanda, the interim seeing endless sufferings and pain. The turmoil give way to the happiest end of the book on war and the epic Ramayana itself where we will see the entire contingent re-united in Ayodhya and Rama rightfully coronated as the ruler of world to begin his great rule. Let us look at the happy endings of the story in the last two chapters.
In chapter 130, Bharata, after hearing the good news from Hanuman about the arrival of Rama, calls Shatrughna and commands him to make appropriate arrangements for the reception of Rama in the City of Ayodhya. Bharata departs with all others, for Nandigrama to receive Rama. The aerial car lands at Nandigrama. Bharata welcomes Rama and others, by embracing them and by greeting them joyously. Rama too offers his salutations to all his mothers, who come to receive him. Then, Bharata brings Rama's wooden sandals and places them below the feet of Rama. Rama commands Pushpaka, the aerial car to return to Kubera, the lord of riches to whom it originally belonged.
Hearing those marvelous tidings from Hanuman, Bharata, that real hero, the slayer of hostile warriors, delighted, issued a command to Shatrughna, saying:
“Let all righteous men, having purified themselves, worship all the Deities and sacred altars of the city with fragrant garlands and diverse musical instruments. Let the bards conversant with the tradition and all the panegyrists, with the queens, ministers, guards, the army, the courtiers, brahmins, nobles and the foremost of the artisans issue forth from the capital in companies, in order to behold the countenance of Rama, which is as lovely as the moon.”
At this behest, Shatrughna, called together some thousands of laborers, whom he divided into groups, and he said to them:
“Fill up the hollows and level the uneven ground from Ayodhya to Nandigrama. Sprinkle every part with water as cold as ice and let others scatter roasted grain and flowers everywhere; set up large standards on all the main highways of the capital. At the rising of the sun, let all the dwellings be adorned with crowns and garlands, with many flowers and decorations in five colours; let contingents of soldiers stand along the royal highway to keep it free.”
At this command from Shatrughna, which filled everyone with joy, Dhristi, Jayanti, Vijaya, Siddhartha, Arthasadhaka, Ashoka, Mantrapala and Sumantra set out. Thousands of elephants intoxicated with ichor and female elephants with golden girths, bearing standards, splendidly adorned, on which illustrious warriors were mounted, issued forth, whilst others set out on horses and in chariots also, and warriors armed with spears, cutlasses and nets, furnished with banners and pennants were escorted by the foremost of their leaders and thousands of infantry.
Thereafter the litters, bearing the consorts of King Dasaratha, with Kaushalya and Sumitra at their head, also set out. And Bharata, ever fixed in his duty, surrounded by the Twice-born, the elders of the city, the merchants and counsellors with garlands and sweetmeats in their hands, rejoiced by the sound of conches and drums, his praises sung by panegyrists, having placed the sandals of the illustrious Rama on his head, took up the white parasol decorated with bright garlands and two golden chowries made of Yaks tails, worthy of a king. Then that magnanimous prince, emaciated by long fasting, pale, wearing robes of bark and a black antelope skin, yet full of joy at the tidings of his brother’s approach, set out with his escort to meet Rama and the sound of the horses hooves, the noise of the chariot wheels, the blare of conches and beat of drums, the roaring of elephants, the blast of trumpets and booming of gongs caused the earth to tremble as the whole city proceeded to Nandigrama.
Thereafter Bharata, glancing round, said to Hanuman, the son of Pavana:
“Is it due to the levity of your monkey nature that I do not behold Kakutstha, the illustrious Rama, Scourge of His Foes? Neither are those monkeys, able to change their form at will, to be seen 1”
To these words, Hanuman, testifying to the truth, answered the virtue-loving Bharata, saying:
“That sylvan army has reached the trees covered with fruit and flowers, flowing with honey, where the humming of bees intoxicated with love can be heard. All this was created by virtue of a boon bestowed by Vasava on the Sage Bharadvaja, as a reward for his great hospitality. One can hear their shouts of delight and, to my mind, those monkeys have crossed the River Gaumati. Observe that immense cloud of dust near the wood; in mine estimation, the monkeys are shaking the boughs of the Sala Trees; behold that aerial chariot, bright as the moon, which can be seen in the distance, it is the celestial Car Pushpaka created by Brahma’s thought and was obtained by that hero after he had slain Ravana and his kinsfolk. Glittering like the rising sun, that celestial chariot, swift as thought, that is bearing Rama, belongs to Dhanada, who received it from Brahma. In it are the two valiant brothers, offspring of the House of Raghu, accompanied by Vaidehi, the supremely illustrious Sugriva and the Titan Vibhishana.”
At that moment, from women, children, youthful persons and the aged, the joyful clamour ‘Rama has come!’ arose, reaching the skies.
Alighting from their chariots, elephants and horses in order to go on foot, the people beheld that prince standing in his aerial car, resembling the moon in the sky. With joined palms, Bharata advanced joyfully to meet Rama, to whom he paid obeisance, offering him water wherewith to wash his hands and feet, as also the Arghya.
In that chariot, created by Brahma’s thought, the elder brother of Bharata with his large eyes, looked as radiant as the God who bears the Thunderbolt. Then Bharata, with a deep bow, paid reverence to his brother Rama, who was seated in the car, like unto the sun on the summit of Mount Meru, and at Rama’s command, that swift and excellent vehicle, harnessed to swans, descended to earth. Then the faithful Bharata approaching Rama, full of joy paid obeisance once more, and Kakutstha, drawing Bharata to him, whom he had not seen for a long time, caused him to sit on his lap, embracing him affectionately. Thereafter, Bharata, the scourge of his foes, approached Lakshmana and Vaidehi and saluted them lovingly; then the son of Kaikeyi embraced Sugriva, Jambavan, Angada, Mainda, Dvivida, Nila and Rishabha also, and Sushena, Nala, Gavaksha, Gandhamadana, Sharabha and Panasa, clasping them in turn in his arms.
In the form of men, those monkeys, able to change their shape at will, gaily wished Bharata good fortune; then, after embracing him, that prince, full of valour, said to Sugriva, that lion among monkeys:
“We are four brothers, you shalt be the fifth, O Sugriva; benevolence creates friendship and malevolence enmity 1”
Thereafter Bharata addressed Vibhishana in comforting words, saying:
“Be you blessed; your co-operation ensured the success of this difficult enterprise!”
At that instant, Shatrughna, having paid obeisance to Rama and Lakshmana, bowed reverently to the feet of Sita. Then Rama approached his mother, who was pale and drawn with grief and, prostrating himself, touched her feet, thus rejoicing her heart, after which he saluted Sumitra and the renowned Kaikeyi, thereafter paying obeisance to the other Queens and his spiritual preceptor.
Then all the citizens, with joined palms said to Rama: “Be you welcome, O Long-armed Hero, you are the increaser of Kaushalya’s delight!”
To the elder brother of Bharata, those thousands of hands joined in salutation caused the inhabitants of the city to appear like a lotus in flower.
Then Bharata, conversant with his duty, himself took Rama’s sandals and fastened them on the feet of that Indra among Men and thereafter, with joined palms, said to him:
“This kingdom that I received in trust, I now render back to you in its entirety. To-day, since I see you as Lord of Ayodhya, the purpose of mine existence has been fulfilled and my desires consummated. Now examine your treasury, your storehouses, thine house and thine army; by your grace, I have increased them tenfold!”
These words uttered by Bharata out of fraternal love, caused the monkeys and the Titan Vibhishana to shed tears. Thereafter, in his joy, Raghava made Bharata sit on his lap and, with his chariot and army, proceeded to the hermitage.
The pushpaka flew back north towards the abode of Kubera and Rama paid obeisance to his guru, Vasishta.
In chapter 131, At the request of Bharata to take back the kingdom of Ayodhya, Rama accepts the offer and sits on a seat. Bharata and Rama take their bath and get adorned for the occasion. Rama, mounting on an excellent chariot, sallies forth on a procession in the city accompanied by Bharata, Shatrughna, Lakshmana and Vibhishana. Nine thousand elephants follow the procession, with Sugreeva and other monkeys mounted on them. Some attendants and musicians with their musical instruments walk in front of Rama's procession. The citizens of Ayodhya host flags on every house. Rama returns to his paternal palace in Ayodhya. Sugreeva orders four of his monkeys to bring water from four oceans in jars given to them. Some monkeys brought water from five hundred rivers, as also from the four oceans for the purpose of the ceremony. Vasishta along with other brahmins as priests caused Rama to be consecrated with that water. The virgins, ministers, warriors, merchants, the four gods as well as other gods sprinkled sap of all kinds of herbs on Rama. Vasishta and other priests officiating the coronation-ceremony adorned Rama with an auspicious and charming crown. Then, Rama gives away presents to the priests as well as Sugreeva and Angada. Rama presents a pearl-necklace to Sita and Sita presents that necklace in turn to Hanuman. Rama further gives away presents to Vibhishana, Sugreeva, Jambavan and others on the occasion. Rama bids farewell to monkeys. The glory of the epic is complemented in the end by Valmiki.
Bharatha told Rama, just as he had given up the kingdom to make Kaikeyi happy, he too was now returning it to Rama. He said, "You and not me are fit to rule this great country. As long as the earth exists, so long shall you rule."
Bharata, feeling unworthy of ruling, returns the kingdom to his brother Rama. He passionately honors Rama, urging him to take the throne amidst grand celebrations. As Rama prepares for his coronation, he is adorned and revered, with dignitaries and family present in Ayodhya, including his loyal followers Sugriva and Hanuman.
A ceremonial chariot is readied, and the atmosphere is filled with music and joyous assembly as Rama, accompanied by his brothers and allies, is led to the capital. The ministers strategize to honor Rama appropriately. Rama announces his alliance with Sugriva, further thrilling the people, who prepare for the grand coronation festivity.
The coronation itself is a magnificent affair, where sacred water is brought from the all the seas and oceans by swift monkeys for the anointing of Rama, conducted by priests. Rama is crowned with royal insignia and honored by celestial beings, marking his rule as virtuous and prosperous. Under his reign, happiness prevails, with prosperity flourishing for ten thousand years, and no distress afflicting his people.
This emphasizes the rewards of listening to the "Ramayana," promising longevity and success, particularly for kings and women wishing for children. Valmiki’s epic bestows blessings upon those who hear or recite it, assuring them of overcoming obstacles and achieving their desires. Ultimately, it reflects on the benevolent rule of Rama, underlining virtues, communal joy, and divine favor bestowed on those who revere the narrative and the values embodied in it.
This concludes chapters 130 and 131 of Yuddha Kanda and the entire book has come to a close with this. This also concludes the epic Ramayana or the story of Rama from his childhood to marriage with Sita, period of exile, meeting Hanuman and other Vanaras, reaching Lanka and killing Ravana, returning back to Ayodhya and taking over the kingdom. The Ramayana as it is believed to be composed by Valmiki has these six books and we had studied all of them in brief summary. We went through the complete outline of the story in all these books and successfully completed learning all these 6 books by an effort which began in May 2022. Through all these 27 months, we learnt about the great epic every week, bit by bit and concluded the final book today. The effort which has been taken up in the foreign land had concluded while in foreign land itself and it should bode extremely well in heralding his virtues and characteristic features in the world, among all its citizens. The Rama, as we call the ideal being, has blessed us by teaching us his story and it is up to us to keep it in our memory and stand by his ideals. There is a seventh book or Uttara Kanda, which has been added to the epic. Scholars believe that it was not part of the original text composed by Valmiki but was added later to the Ramayana tradition. Nevertheless, we will continue to learn about the last or final book in any form – Uttara Kanda as well to complete our understanding of the great epic. As Valmiki has written in the final chapter, the hearing of this rare and beautiful poem in this world brings prosperous families, wealth and grain in abundance, lovely wives, supreme felicity and complete success in all undertakings. This narrative which promotes long life, health, renown, brotherly love, wisdom, happiness and power should be heard in reverence by virtuous men desirous of happiness and joy. Let us absorb and spread the same happiness as we listened to this great story.
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