In the last post, we had seen Rama installing Lava and Kusa on the throne to prepare for his own departure. Lakshmana already reaches heaven after sacrificing his own self to uphold the sanctity of the secret pact between Rama and Death. For the people, if it is not enough the dear brother Lakshmana departed the mortal world, Rama says he too would relinquish his Earthly life. He asks Bharata to take over the kingdom, which Bharata squarely rejects. These proclamations devastate the people of the kingdom. The people of Ayodhya, already shattered by Lakshmana’s fate, are plunged into deeper grief at Rama’s impending departure, feeling utterly bereft. Bowing low, they mourn the loss of their beloved king. Bharata, equally anguished, refuses Rama’s command to assume kingship, declaring that even heaven’s splendor holds no joy without his elder brother. Instead, he pleads for Rama to enthrone the twins, Kusha and Lava, as rulers of Kosala’s southern and northern realms. Bharata further requests that Shatrughna be summoned swiftly, so all four brothers may complete their earthly journeys together in unity.
Unlike any of the historical examples, the Ramayana describes not just retainers or elites but the entire citizenry of Ayodhya choosing to follow Rama’s death. This makes it unparalleled in scope of people giving up their lives when their ruler makes the same choice. In Ayodhya, the people’s act is portrayed as voluntary, born of love and devotion, whereas many historical practices involved coercion or ritual obligation. Rama’s departure is framed as leading his people to moksha (liberation), elevating the act from tragedy to transcendence. Historical parallels often lacked this spiritual framing, focusing instead on loyalty or ritual. The grief of Ayodhya’s citizens—already devastated by Lakshmana’s fate—culminates in their readiness to die with Rama. While history offers echoes in practices like sati, junshi, or Pharaoh’s tomb sacrifices, none match the collective, voluntary, and spiritually liberating devotion of Ayodhya’s people. Their act symbolizes not despair alone, but the belief that Rama was their very life force, and without him, existence held no meaning.
With reference to the above, let us understand the bond between people of Ayodhya and Rama. The bond between Rama and the people of Ayodhya, especially as described in the Uttarakanda, is one of the most extraordinary relationships in epic literature. Rama was not merely a ruler; he was the very heart and soul of Ayodhya. His presence defined the city’s identity, and his departure was felt as the unraveling of their world.
This bond was forged through shared trials and triumphs. The people had witnessed Rama’s exile, his battles, and his return to Ayodhya. They rejoiced in his victories and suffered in his sorrows, creating a unity that transcended ordinary loyalty. Rama’s reign was marked by justice, compassion, and dharma, qualities that made him not only a sovereign but a father figure to his people. His departure was therefore not seen as a political transition but as the loss of life itself. No where in the world will there be a bond as strong as between Rama and his people where the death of one is the end of other as well. If we can remember, Rama sacrifices his own personal life – gives away Sita, lives far from Lava, Kusa, for the sake of living clean in front of baseless public rumours. The public are unforgiving at the time of forging a strong familial life after many trials. Rama sacrificed his own personal life for the sake of his people and there he declares kingdom first and family second. When a righteous rule, spotless discharge of kingly duties are the highest orders of the day, the subjects of the kingdom are the most fortunate citizens of any age and time. Hence, it is only natural that when such a ruler, who lives for the people, by the people and of the people, prepares to depart, no one can take it to their stride without agony and grief. The unparalled, matchless people’s leader, people’s king prepares the last journey to take his own people in the path towards liberation. What else can anyone ask for. The highest duty of any ruler spiritually is to guide the people towards liberation from life and death. Rama, who is that one leader of highest order, drives people from within to make a choice and attain liberation. As said, this is the highest order of rule from the greatest ruler on Earth. The bond between people and Rama, thus, is the ultimate relationship Rama has had, far above than with his wife, mother, father and brother. Let us see how the final journey unfolds in the next three chapters. As part of it, Rama issues his final orders in the following chapter.
In chapter 108, Rama issues his last commands.
The messengers, following Rama’s command with utmost urgency, set out swiftly toward Madhura without stopping along the way. Traveling continuously, they arrived there on the third day and immediately sought out Shatrughna. With reverence and sorrow, they informed him of the grave and wondrous events unfolding in Ayodhya: Lakshmana’s banishment following Rama’s irrevocable vow, the installation of Rama’s sons Kusha and Lava as rulers over new and illustrious cities, and the decision of the people of Ayodhya to follow Rama into the higher realms. They described how Rama, in his righteousness, had built the magnificent city of Kushavati for Kusha on the heights of the Vindhya mountains, and how Shravasti had been established as the beautiful capital of Lava. They reported, too, the preparations made by Rama and Bharata to lead the entire populace of Ayodhya with them as they prepared to enter Svarga, the celestial world.
After delivering this momentous news, the messengers fell silent, and then, with urgency, urged Shatrughna to hasten at once. The tidings struck Shatrughna deeply; realizing that the end of his earthly lineage and the departure of his beloved brothers were imminent, he summoned his people and called for his family priest, Kancana, to witness and participate in the important decisions he must now make. Fully aware that his presence was demanded in Ayodhya for the final moment of Rama’s earthly sojourn, Shatrughna resolved to accompany his brothers.
Before departing, he completed his duties as a king. He divided his wealth equally and lovingly between his two sons. He installed Subahu on the throne of Madhura, entrusting him with the continuation of rule there, and established Shatrughatin as ruler of Vaidisha. With these responsibilities fulfilled and his mind firmly set, Shatrughna departed in a single chariot toward Ayodhya.
Upon arriving, he beheld Rama—resplendent, serene, and radiant like a blazing fire—standing clothed in a woolen garment amid a gathering of exalted sages. Shatrughna approached with humility, joining his palms and subduing his senses, and addressed his noble brother. He declared that he had installed his children on their thrones and had come with the firm resolve to follow Rama wherever he would go. He begged his elder brother not to forbid him, for it would be unworthy of him to disobey Rama’s will. Seeing the unwavering devotion in Shatrughna’s heart, Rama accepted his intention and said simply, “So be it.”
As this divine moment approached, the monkey warriors—capable of assuming any form at will—arrived in multitudes from every direction. Sugriva stood at their head, accompanied by the hosts of bears and other beings devoted to Rama. All came, united by their love and longing to behold Rama in his final earthly moments, as he stood gazing upward toward the heavens.
The Devas, Rishis, Gandharvas, and their children, upon learning of Rama’s imminent departure, also assembled in vast numbers. They proclaimed that they, too, wished to follow him, insisting that leaving without them would be akin to striking them down with death itself. At this point, Sugriva approached Rama with deep humility, bowed in traditional reverence, and declared that he had installed the noble Angada as ruler and had come with the intention of accompanying Rama. Rama accepted his devotion with a gentle smile.
Rama then turned to Vibhishana, king of the Rakshasas, and commanded him not to join the departure. Instead, he instructed him to remain in Lanka for as long as the world endured wherever the sun and moon shone. Rama assured him that as long as tales of Raghava were spoken among men, Vibhishana’s kingdom would continue. He urged him to govern justly and to consistently worship the divine guardian of the Ikshvaku lineage, Shri Jagannath, revered even by the gods.
Next, Rama addressed Hanuman. He instructed the devoted Vanara not to accompany him but to remain on earth as long as Rama’s story continued to be told. Hanuman joyfully accepted this blessing, promising to live on earth in devoted service for as long as Rama’s purifying tale endured.
Rama then turned to Jambavan, commanding him to remain on earth until the dawn of the Kali Yuga. Finally, he addressed the rest of the bears and monkeys, inviting them to follow him if that was their desire.
Thus, surrounded by gods, sages, loyal allies, and devoted brothers, Rama prepared for the final divine transition from the mortal world.
This concludes chapter 108 of Uttara Kanda, where we had seen Shatrughna arriving in Ayodhya to accompany Rama as he is preparing for his final journey and Rama issuing his final commands. The bears, monkeys arrive in vast multitudes; the devas, rishis, gandharvas and their children also assemble in huge numbers, in addition to his own citizens, everyone to accompany Rama. Rama accedes to the decision of everyone to follow him but three – Vibhishana, Hanuman and Jambavan, whom he asks to continue for as long as possible. We can look at Rama’s final journey to mahaprasthana in the subsequent chapter.
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