We had learnt in the last post about the devastating ordeal by fire faced by the divine mother Sita. When Rama questioned her character, it was beyond any punishment she can bear, after all these days of struggle, weeping and waiting for him. The sharp arrow like words pierced her deeply and she herself undertook the trial to enter the fire. On the other hand, it is not a mistake on the part of Rama to talk as such and wound the heart of Sita. Rama’s actions were driven by his duty as a king and his need to uphold societal norms and expectations. As a ruler, he felt compelled to demonstrate Sita’s purity to his subjects, even though he personally knew her innocence. The trial by fire was as much a test for Rama as it was for Sita. It forced him to confront his own divinity and the expectations placed upon him. This episode is one of the most poignant and debated moments in the Ramayana, reflecting the complex interplay of duty, honor, and personal anguish. The episodes like these shed a lot of light on the characteristic feature of Rama to put the role of a king or leader above the personal role of husband. He lived more for his subjects, followers and people than for the personal few closer to him. Despite his awareness of her true character and the reason for waging and winning the greatest of wars, he suspects her fidelity at the momentous time of reunion. This sheds a light on the complex interplay of relationship between the most idealistic couple and the ongoing trail of suffering they faced all along. It has been never a path of smooth journey but one union undertaken for the greater good all the way. We can look at how Sita comes out of this test with flying colors and the post tidings in the following chapters.
In chapter 121, the fire-God appears in person from the burning pyre, carrying Sita in his arms and restores her to Rama, testifying to her purity. Rama later joyfully accepts her.
As soon as Brahma pronounced these auspicious words, Agni came out of the flaming fire with Sita. Glowing like the sun, robed in red and glittering with the gold of her jewels, she was given to Rama by Agni who said, "Rama, here is Sita who has never sinned. In your effort to be known as the upholder of dharma, you did not even hesitate to let her enter the fire. Sita has never seen, heard or thought of any man with desire, except you. Abducted, guarded and goaded by Ravana with threats to kill her, she remained true to you, ignoring the rakshasas and meditating upon you. I command you to accept her."
Unhappy for what had happened, Rama quietly said, "Sita is blameless, but if I had taken her who had lived long in the house of Ravana, the world would have said ignoramus Rama has accepted Sita. Do I not know my Sita, her love for me and her chastity? The test by fire was only for the benefit of the world. Would it have ever been possible for Ravana to transgress against Sita, whose purity is her protection? Just as the sunbeam is not different from the sun, so is Sita part of me. How can I even think of giving up the most chaste of them all.
In chapter 122, Lord Shiva informs Rama that his father, Dasaratha, in an ethereal form and as a replica of his extinct personality, has arrived in an aerial car along with Indra, the lord of celestials. Shiva asks Rama and Lakshmana to pay their respects to the soul of Dasaratha and they respond in approaching him and offer their salutations. Dasaratha says he is overjoyed in seeing him, having defeated Ravana and having completed the exile for fourteen years. He asks Rama to return to Ayodhya, meet Bharata and get consecrated to the throne of Ayodhya. Dasaratha further advises Lakshmana and Sita to continue to serve Rama, the supreme deity. Dasaratha returns to the abode of Indra, by the aerial car.
Praising Rama, Shiva said that by killing Ravana he had achieved the impossible and delivered the world from the fear of rakshasas. He said, "Now pay homage to your father, Dasaratha, who has come here in an airborne car from heaven."
With extreme delight, King Dasaratha, standing in his chariot, once again beheld his son who was as dear to him as his own life and that long-armed warrior, on his seat, took him in his lap and embracing him, said:
“Far from you I do not prize the heaven in which I dwell with the Gods, O Rama, this is the truth! O Most Eloquent of Men, the words addressed to me by Kaikeyi, which were designed to effect your banishment, have never been erased from mine heart! Embracing you and Lakshmana and beholding you well and happy, I am delivered from mine affliction as the sun when the mist has been dispelled. By your grace, 0 My Son, you who art truly filial and of noble soul, I am redeemed, as was the virtuous Brahmin Kahola by Ashtavakra. Now it is made clear to me, O Dear Child, that in order to destroy Ravana, the Gods determined that the supreme Purusha should become incarnate as man.
“Assuredly Kaushalya will see all her desires fulfilled, O Rama, when she beholds you returning from the forest, O Slayer of Your Foes. O Rama, the people, seeing you returning to the city and installed as king and ruler of the world, will indeed be blessed. I desire to see you re-united with Bharata, your devoted, valiant, pure and loyal brother. You have passed fourteen years in the forest with my beloved Sita and Lakshmana, O Dear Child. The term of thine exile is over, your vows honored, and further, by slaying Ravana on the battlefield, you have gratified the Gods. Your task is accomplished; you have won infinite renown, O Slayer of Your Foes; now, installed as king, mayest you with your brothers live for a long time”
With joined palms, paying obeisance to King Dasaratha, who had thus addressed him, Rama answered:
“O Virtuous Sire, give your blessings to Kaikeyi and Bharata! You didst pronounce a terrible curse upon them, saying: ‘I renounce you and your son! may this malediction not fall on Kaikeyi or her son, O Lord.” ‘Be it so!’ replied that great monarch, paying obeisance with joined palms to Rama who had spoken thus, and thereafter embracing Lakshmana, he said to him:
“You have acquired extreme merit, O Pious One, and your fame will be great on earth; by Rama’s grace you shalt attain heaven and your power shall be inconceivable. Attend on Rama and be happy, O You who art the increaser of Sumitra’s delight. Rama is ever engaged in the welfare of all beings. The Three Worlds with their Indras, the Siddhas and the great Rishis do honour to that great hero and adore him as the supreme Purusha. He, your brother, is the invincible, imperishable Brahman, the essence of the Veda, which is secret, and the Inner Ruler of all, O Dear Child! You have acquired great merit and glory in serving him and the Princess of Videha with devotion 1”
Having spoken thus to Lakshmana, the King paid obeisance to Sita who stood before him with joined palms, and addressed her in gentle tones, saying:
“My Daughter, do not take it ill that Rama renounced you! O Vaidehi, he acted thus in thine own interest in order to demonstrate thine innocence! The proof of your chaste conduct, which you have given to-day, places you above all other women. O My Daughter, you have no need to be instructed regarding your duty towards your husband, nevertheless I must tell you that he is the Supreme God.”
In chapter 123, when Indra, the lord of celestials asks Rama for a boon, Rama requested Indra to bring back to life, all the monkeys who had lost their life in the battle. Indra grants the boon and all the dead monkeys are restored to life. The celestials disperse and the whole army of monkeys enjoy their well-earned rest.
Indra worshipfully asked Rama of what he could do for Rama and the answer was, "Resurrect the dead vanaras. They who have come leaving their wives and sons should live again and go back to them. May they and the bears, healed of all wounds, return to their homes and prosper. May all their habitats be lush and their lands produce every fruit regardless of seasons and may rivers flow eternally." Indra said, "Though difficult to heal broken limbs and bring to life bodies that are dead, my promises are never in vain. Your wishes shall come true.
Seeing his purpose fulfilled, the Gods, in an excess of joy, unanimously addressed Rama, who was accompanied by Lakshmana, praising him and saying:
“Now return to Ayodhya, O King and disband the monkeys; do you console the devoted and illustrious Maithili! Seek out your brother Bharata who, in sorrow of your separation, has given himself up to penances. Approach the magnanimous Shatrughna and all your mothers, O Scourge of Your Foes! Be installed as king and rejoice the hearts of the citizens by your return!”
Having spoken thus to Rama who was accompanied by Saumitri, the Gods, paying obeisance to him, joyfully returned to heaven in their chariots blazing like the sun; and Rama with his brother ordered the encampment of the army.
Thereafter, under Rama and Lakshmana’s protection, that great and glorious company of happy people, radiant with splendour, resembled the night illumined on all sides by that orb of cool rays.
In chapter 124, Rama prepares to leave for Ayodhya. Even though Vibhishana requests Rama to remain at Lanka for some more time and receive his hospitality, Rama gently refuses to do so, adding that he needs to proceed to Ayodhya quickly, to see his mothers, brothers and people there. Vibhishana arranges the aerial car, Pushpaka to transport Rama and others to Ayodhya.
After a good night's rest, when Vibhishana wanted Rama to be massaged with unguents and bathed in scented water, the Lord said, "Only Bharatha deserves such a bath. I cannot think of anything except him who has vowed to throw himself in the fire if I do not return the moment my exile ends. When he waits with such longing, how can I even think of baths, robes or ornaments?" Vibhishana then offered Rama the pushpaka, which would take him to Ayodhya in one day. He would then return it to Kubera from whom Ravana had brought it by force.
Having prepared that indestructible vehicle, the Chariot Pushpaka, which was as swift as thought, Vibhishana stood before Rama, and that aerial car, that went everywhere at one’s will and resembled a mountain, having been placed at his disposal, the magnanimous Rama who was accompanied by Saumitri, was astonished.
In chapter 125, Rama commands Vibhishana to honor the monkeys with gold and precious stones. When Vibhishana has honored them with the gifts, Rama along with Lakshmana and Seetha ascend the aerial car. When the monkeys and Vibhishana request Rama to permit them to accompany in the aerial car up to Ayodhya to witness his coronation-ceremony, Rama gladly permits them to do so. All of them start on their aerial journey in Pushpaka, the wonderful aerial car which can accommodate all, spaciously.
As Rama got ready to leave, Vibhishana asked if there was anything else to do and Rama said, "It is because of the vanaras who came here risking their lives that we entered Lanka, impregnable city of the rakshasas, so do honor them and gift them with diamonds and the best of gemstones. Also, reward your own countrymen who have been loyal to you. Your kindness will bring you fame as king and their regard for you will grow."
Just as Rama was about to get into the pushpaka tenderly holding Sita, Sugriva and Vibhishana pleaded that they too would like to witness the coronation. Even the vanaras, promising not to disrupt anything, wanted to go. Rama agreed and the happy multitude was soon airborne.
Thereupon Sugriva with the monkeys and Bibishana with his counsellors, took their places in the celestial Pushpaka Chariot and, all being installed, that marvellous aerial car belonging to Kubera rose into the air under Raghava’s command. In the chariot, which shone brightly, and was harnessed to swans, Rama exulted, overcome with delight, and resembled Kubera himself, whilst all the monkeys, bears and titans, full of vigour, seated comfortably in that celestial car travelled at ease.
This concludes chapters 121, 122, 123, 124 and 125 of Yuddha Kanda where we had seen Lord of fire restoring Sita to Rama, proving her innocence; Rama accepting it without any guilt, Dasaratha speaking to Rama expressing his joy and asks him to ascend the throne of Ayodhya soon, ruling the world; Indra bringing back all the vanaras who are wounded or dead; Vibhishana offers pushpaka to Rama and all the vanaras request Rama to accompany him and witness coronation. Thus,everyone was overjoyed at the happenings after Sita was restored unharmed from the fire, Dasaratha speaking to Rama, Lakshmana and Sita, Indra breathing life into dead vanaras and giving them the grand vehicle Pushpaka to reach Ayodhya. These are all extremely good episodes after prolonged days of sufferings. The war concluded giving the favored outcomes, Rama finding Sita and Ravana decimated thoroughly for the good of everyone including Gods. We can see Rama and the troops reaching Ayodhya for his installation as the King in the subsequent chapters.
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