We had seen Bharata along with his two sons and vast army conquer Gandharvas and their kingdom of Gandhara. Guided by Sage Gargya and accompanied by his sons Taksha and Pushkala, Bharata marched with a vast army, joining forces with the Kaikeyas. A fierce seven-day battle ensued against the celestial Gandharvas, shaking earth and sky. On the eighth day, Bharata invoked the devastating Samvarta Astra, annihilating three hundred thousand Gandharvas and securing victory. He established his sons as rulers—Taksha in Takshashila and Pushkala in Pushkalavati, founding flourishing cities rich in trade and culture. After ensuring peace and prosperity for five years, Bharata returned to Ayodhya, where Rama received him with joy. We need to understand that the episode of conquest of Gandhara kingdom, put at the flag end of Uttara Kanda isn’t a final battle of epic or a military episode but a reflection of legacy, closure and the passing of dharma to the next generation. This chapter features Bharata and Yudhajit leading a campaign against the Gandharvas, culminating in the establishment of new rule lead by Bharata’s sons. It marks the beginning of delegation of responsibility from Rama and his brothers to their heirs—a key theme in the final chapters. We can see in the following chapter as well where Lakshmana’s two sons are given the responsibility of a kingdom. This continues till Rama bestows kingdom on his own sons – Lava and Kusa much later.
In chapter 102, Rama bestows kingdom on Lakshmana’s sons.
In the prosperous reign of Rama, when peace and righteousness prevailed across his dominion, tidings reached Ayodhya of the valor and triumph of Bharata in the northwestern lands. Pleased with the glory that had extended the Ikshvaku empire, Rama turned his thoughts to his beloved brother Lakshmana, the ever-devoted Saumitri, and the future of his two heroic sons, Angada and Candraketu. In the presence of his brothers, Rama, with joy and foresight, spoke these memorable words:
“Your two youthful sons, O Saumitri, are worthy to reign. They are strong, valiant, and steadfast in dharma. Let them be established as kings. Seek out for them a pleasant and spacious region—safe from hostile powers and treachery, where ascetics may live undisturbed, and where peace and prosperity may prevail.”
Hearing this command, Bharata, ever eager to serve the will of Rama, stepped forward with reverence and counselled, “There is a beautiful and healthful country named Karupatta, abounding in resources and blessed with serenity. Let two radiant cities be founded there for Angada and Candraketu. Let the first be called Angadiya, and the second, Candrakanta—cities that shall be splendid, secure, and worthy of their noble birth.”
Rama, the magnanimous descendant of Raghu, approved Bharata’s words with delight. Immediately, he sent forth his ministers and architects to bring the lands under his rule and raise magnificent capitals there. Angadiya, the city of Angada, was built by Rama himself—a fortress of grandeur, with towering ramparts, beautiful palaces, and gardens fragrant with blossoming trees. It became a model of prosperity, filled with citizens loyal to dharma and skilled in arts and trade.
For Candraketu, who was mighty and powerful like a celestial being, Rama chose the country of the Mallas, a sacred and fertile region renowned for its natural beauty. There, under his direction, rose the city of Candrakanta, resplendent like Amaravati, the capital of Indra. Its golden gates, marble halls, and luminous streets reflected the glory of Ayodhya itself.
When both cities were completed, Rama, Lakshmana, and Bharata—those invincible brothers, embodiments of virtue and power—proceeded with great joy to perform the consecration and coronation of the young princes. The installation ceremony was conducted with divine solemnity. Rituals were performed under the guidance of holy sages, sacred waters from all rivers were brought, and celestial flowers showered from the heavens as Angada and Candraketu were anointed with the oils of kingship.
After receiving Rama’s blessings, the two princes divided the lands with harmony and brotherly affection. Angada, under the guidance of Shatrughna, took charge of the western territories, ensuring peace and prosperity for all. Candraketu, accompanied by Lakshmana and Bharata, governed the northern realm, protecting its borders and upholding dharma among its people. Both kingdoms flourished under their virtuous rule—cities teeming with learning, valor, art, and righteousness.
After establishing his sons securely upon their thrones, Lakshmana remained in Angadiya for a year, guiding Angada with wisdom and affection. When the kingdom was firmly settled, he returned to Ayodhya. Bharata, in turn, stayed another year with Candraketu in Candrakanta, ensuring his governance was just and strong before returning to the capital.
Thus, the brothers, having fulfilled their duties as guardians of their sons and upholders of Rama’s command, resumed their noble place at Rama’s feet. Thereafter, in their devotion to him and their dedication to dharma, both Lakshmana and Bharata lived in Ayodhya for ten thousand years, utterly absorbed in righteous service. Their lives flowed in harmony—serene, luminous, and noble—resembling the Three Sacred Fires of a great Vedic sacrifice: ever united, ever radiant, sustained by divine purpose.
In this long and blessed companionship, the brothers of Rama upheld the spiritual and moral order of the world, ensuring that the kingdom of Ayodhya continued to shine as the seat of dharma, prosperity, and unbroken brotherly love—a reflection of divine harmony on earth.
In chapter 103, death is sent to seek out Rama.
A long while into Rama’s reign, a strange and awe-inspiring figure arrived at the gates of the illustrious king. Appearing as a radiant ascetic, he revealed himself to be Death in disguise and declared that he came as a messenger from an all-powerful Maharishi with an important communication for Rama. The arrival caused immediate stir and reverence: Saumitri hastened forward to announce the visitor, extolling his sanctity and penances and urging that he be received with all honour. Lakshmana likewise praised the ascetic’s splendour and urged Rama to admit him.
Rama, calm and regal, bade that the luminous ascetic be brought in. The stranger entered the royal presence blazing with spiritual effulgence, and, after the customary obeisances, took his seat upon a golden throne. Rama, courteous and curious, greeted him and offered the traditional arghya; he then asked the sage to state the purpose of his embassy. The ascetic spoke in a grave, harmonious voice, returning Rama’s courteous greeting and assuring the king of his own well-being before preparing to deliver his message.
But the envoy’s manner quickly took on a tone of solemn secrecy. He declared that his message was the charge of the Lord of Ascetics and that it must be communicated in strict privacy: only Rama and the ascetic could be present. He warned that whoever overheard their exchange should be put to death, for the words of his master were secret and sacred and must be held in reverent confidence. The gravity of this injunction filled the hall with a hush.
Rama received the demand calmly but with equal gravity. He assented to the sage’s condition and, mindful of the sanctity of the communication, instructed Lakshmana to stand guard at the door and send away the doorkeeper. Rama declared that he himself would be the executor of the prohibition, vowing to slay any who might overhear the private conference. In this way he placed the burden of secrecy upon himself and his household, affirming the sanctity of the message and his readiness to enforce the ascetic’s stipulation.
Lakshmana took his station at the door as commanded; the court fell silent, watchful and charged with the sense of impending revelation. Rama, the magnanimous scion of Raghu, then addressed the ascetic with solemn invitation: speak freely, he said, for his heart would treasure whatever was entrusted to him. Thus prepared and shielded by an oath of secrecy and the vigilant presence of Lakshmana, the assembly closed like a ring about the two figures — king and sage — poised on the threshold of a disclosure that was to be both momentous and mysterious.
The scene underscores Rama’s combination of royal courtesy, dutiful obedience to spiritual authority, and stern resolve to protect sacred confidences. It also reveals the atmosphere of the court: reverent, disciplined, and suffused with the weight of Dharma. The arrival of Death in ascetic guise, the demand for secrecy, and Rama’s immediate commitment to uphold that secrecy establish an ominous, expectant mood. This narrative leaves us suspended at the threshold of revelation — the silence before the utterance of a destiny-shaping truth — and highlights Rama’s unwavering readiness to honor the commands of sages and the seriousness with which he guards the moral order of his realm.
This concludes chapters 102, 103 of Uttara Kanda where we had seen Rama bestowing kingdoms upon the sons of Lakshmana and ruling for a long period of time from Ayodhya along with Lakshmana, Bharata. Two magnificent cities Angadiya and Candrakanta were built under the directions of Rama where he installed Angada and Candraketu, the two sons of Lakshmana to preside over their kingdom. Lakshmana and Bharata spent a year and two in the new kingdoms and returned to Ayodhya to live with Rama for ten thousand years, marking a tenure of calm and righteous rule without major incidents. After a spotless reign as a most noble and virtuous king for a long time giving great rule for the most fortunate citizens, death at last comes to seek out Rama. Death coming through a sage, asks for private conversation with Rama and we can see the message he delivers in subsequent chapters.
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