After a Divine Journey and Stepping Into Holy Waters of Sarayu, Rama Ascends to Heaven With All the Other Beings

We had looked at Rama’s epic journey through Ayodhya to the Sarayu river in the last post to leave the mortal world and regain his true form. After years of ruling Ayodhya with justice, compassion, and unwavering adherence to dharma, Lord Rama sensed that his earthly mission was complete. The time had come for him to return to his divine essence as Vishnu. This realization was not marked by sorrow but by serenity, for Rama’s life had been a perfect embodiment of righteousness. His departure was not an end but a transition, a passage from the mortal realm to the eternal. Word spread quickly through Ayodhya, and the people, who had lived under his benevolent rule, felt an irresistible pull to accompany him. They could not imagine life without Rama, and so began one of the most extraordinary journeys described in the Ramayana. 

As Rama set forth towards the banks of the Sarayu River, Ayodhya itself seemed to move with him. The streets, once bustling with daily life, grew silent as citizens abandoned their homes to follow their beloved king. Men, women, children, sages, and even animals joined the procession. It was as if the entire city had been emptied, leaving behind only walls and structures, while the spirit of Ayodhya flowed alongside Rama. This collective migration was not driven by duty alone but by devotion. Rama was more than a ruler; he was the embodiment of truth and compassion, and his people’s love for him transcended worldly attachments. 

The journey itself was majestic yet solemn. Rama walked with calm dignity, his brothers and companions by his side, while chants of devotion filled the air. The people did not see this as a farewell but as a pilgrimage, a chance to merge their lives with the divine. Their loyalty was absolute, their faith unshaken. In this moment, Ayodhya was transformed into a spiritual caravan, moving together towards liberation. The sight of an entire kingdom following its king into eternity is unparalleled in epic literature, symbolizing the highest form of collective devotion. His brothers - Bharata and Shatrughna - walked beside him, while countless devotees joined the procession. 

In most traditions, kings are followed by their people out of loyalty, duty, or fear—but the Ramayana describes something far more extraordinary: an entire kingdom following its ruler not for worldly gain, but out of deep attachment and to attain liberation. Ayodhya emptying out signifies detachment from the material world. The people’s choice reflects the highest spiritual truth: when the divine departs, worldly existence loses meaning. It shows that devotion (bhakti) can grant liberation even without austerities or rituals. The people attained moksha simply by following Rama with pure love. This episode demonstrates Rama’s compassion—he did not depart alone but uplifted his entire kingdom. It is a vision of collective salvation, unparalleled in world literature. 

This journey to attain salvation is something similar to the journey one might take to visit great temples of India to attain unity with divine. For example, if someone takes a journey of 10 days through Amritaghateswarar and Markandeyar temple in Thirukadaiyur to Nataraja swamy temple in Chidambaram to Arunachaleswarar in Tiruvannamalai to Ranganatha Swamy temple in Srirangam to Brihadeeswara temple in Tanjavur to Ramanatha Swamy temple in Rameswaram to Meenakshi temple in Madurai to Kumari Amman in Kanniyakumari to Padmanabhaswamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram to Chottanikkara Bhagavathy darshan in Kochi to Krishna temple in Guruvayur, such a pilgrimage is considered a divine blessing in itself. India and Indians are extremely fortunate for having these timeless, priceless sites of pilgrimage where each temple in itself represents a step in the spiritual path—longevity, liberation, surrender, purification, harmony, purity, protection, and devotion. Journeys like this, synonymous to Rama undertaking a similar passage with countless devotees are believed to cleanse karma, deepen devotion, and prepare the soul for liberation. The act of surrendering oneself fully to the divine across these sacred sites is seen as a powerful aid on the path to moksha or salvation. When hundreds travel in this journey together, it will be a step towards collective liberation. These days are upon us when we are seeing hundreds in these pilgrimages all over the sacred land of India to bring a deep meaning to their present lives with utmost devotion and divine surrender. 

Coming back to the story, Rama is on one of its kind of a journey with countless others, about to take everyone to higher realms of life. Let us look at the following chapter where he attains heaven with all the accompanying people. 

In chapter 110, Rama ascends to heaven with the other beings. 

After traveling about six miles, Rama, the pride of the Raghu dynasty, arrived at the sacred river Sarayu, whose waters flowed westward, swirling and rippling gently. Proceeding further, he reached the holy Goprataraka Ghata, accompanied by vast numbers of his devoted subjects who surrounded him on every side. It was at this auspicious place, as Rama prepared to relinquish his earthly form and ascend to heaven, that a moment of divine revelation unfolded. 

At that very instant, Brahma, the Creator and Grandsire of the universe, appeared in the sky, seated in a radiant aerial chariot and surrounded by the gods and illustrious rishis adorned with celestial jewels. The heavens blazed with extraordinary brilliance, illuminated by the combined splendor of these divine beings whose virtue shone forth in dazzling radiance. Gentle, fragrant breezes filled the air, and showers of heavenly blossoms rained down from above. The Gandharvas and Apsaras filled the firmament with music and song, playing countless instruments and singing in praise. Amid this divine celebration, Rama stepped calmly into the sacred waters of the Sarayu. 

From the sky, Brahma addressed Rama with reverence and awe. He hailed him as Vishnu himself, the Supreme Being incarnate, and invited him to return to his eternal divine form. Brahma proclaimed Rama to be the support of the universe, the inconceivable and indestructible One, beyond age and decay. He acknowledged that some beings failed to recognize Rama’s true nature because of the veiling power of Maya and the absence of his eternal consort, but affirmed that Rama was indeed the eternal Vishnu. Brahma offered Rama the choice to dwell either in Vishnu’s supreme abode or in the radiant ether, urging him to enter his true divine body if he so wished. 

Upon hearing these words, Rama, supremely virtuous and resolute, made his decision. Along with his younger brothers, he cast aside his mortal form and entered Vishnu’s eternal abode in his divine body. At this moment, the assembled immortals burst into worship, recognizing Vishnu restored to his original form. The Sadhyas, the Maruts, Indra, Agni, celestial rishis, Gandharvas, Apsaras, serpents, Yakshas, Daityas, Danavas, Rakshasas, and all beings of heaven rejoiced deeply. Their hearts overflowed with bliss; their desires were fulfilled and their sins washed away as they cried out in exultation, offering salutations to the Supreme Lord. 

Vishnu then addressed Brahma, requesting that suitable abodes be granted to all his subjects who had gathered there. He declared that these beings were his devoted followers who had willingly sacrificed their lives for his sake and were therefore deserving of divine reward. Brahma, the Guru of the worlds, agreed and proclaimed that all those assembled would attain the region known as Santanaka. He further declared that even animals who died while meditating on Vishnu’s holy feet would dwell near Brahmaloka, a realm filled with every delight. Brahma explained that the monkeys and bears, who were manifestations of various deities, had already returned to their original divine worlds, and that Sugriva had entered the disc of the sun. 

As Brahma spoke, the monkeys and bears appeared once again at Goprataraka Ghata, having assumed their original celestial forms before the astonished eyes of the gods. At that sacred moment, all who entered the waters of the Sarayu surrendered their lives joyfully, their eyes filled with tears of bliss. Freed from their earthly bodies, they ascended into the heavens in radiant celestial chariots. Even animals who entered the river by the hundreds were transformed, attaining luminous divine bodies and rising to the Third Heaven, shining with the same brilliance as the gods themselves. 

No distinction remained between living and non-living beings; all who entered the holy waters attained the realm of the gods. The bears, monkeys, titans, and all others abandoned their mortal forms and ascended to heaven. Having bestowed paradise upon all of Rama’s followers and companions, Brahma, accompanied by the gods, returned joyfully to his supreme abode in the Third Heaven. Thus concluded the divine departure of Rama, marking the fulfillment of his earthly mission and the liberation of all who had devoted themselves to him. 

This concludes chapter 110 of Uttara Kanda where we had seen Rama ascending to heaven with all the other beings in the Sarayu river. The Ramayana describes this as a divine ascension, where Rama chose to merge back into his eternal essence as Vishnu. At the time of Rama’s departure into the Sarayu River, Brahma appears and declares Rama’s true divine nature, affirming that he is none other than Vishnu incarnate. Brahma praises Rama’s earthly mission, acknowledges the fulfillment of dharma, and invites him to return to Vaikuntha, the eternal abode. As Rama dipped into the Sarayu, those who accompanied him also entered the waters. Through his grace, they attained liberation (moksha), merging into the divine essence along with him. This ends Rama’s mortal life in human form, Vishnu’s incarnation as Rama and the purpose behind it fully served. We have neared the conclusion of Uttara kanda, the entire Ramayana epic with this departure and the supreme virtue of Ramayana can be seen in subsequent and final chapter of epic.

Rama Anoints Three to Continue his Legacy and Marches on Unprecedented Journey of Departure

In the last post we had seen Rama issuing final orders after installing Lava and Kusa on the throne. We came to know all three remaining brothers prepare to depart together to celestial realm along with scores of others. Vanaras, bears, Sugriva and countless other people pine to accompany Rama to the higher world. This is unlike any other journey of a single person to leave the mortal world which is unseen in past, present and future. While Rama is about to pass away along with a numbers of accomplices, he orders three to remain on the earth. He asks Vibhishana, Hanuman and Jambavan to remain on earth while everyone else willing can come along with him. This is not without a reason that he entrusts the three to continue their earthly journeys. He asks them to remain since Rama, his ideals and his rule cannot stay void on earth without his presence. They are the ones who will continue his legacy in his absence and make sure future generations are inspired in the story of Rama. 

Each of the three embodied a distinct aspect of dharma, devotion, and wisdom, ensuring that Rama’s legacy would continue far into the future. Vibhishana, the younger brother of Ravana, was crowned king of Lanka after the war. Rama asked him to stay on earth to uphold righteousness among the rakshasas. His presence symbolized the triumph of dharma even in a land once dominated by adharma. By ruling Lanka with justice and fairness, Vibhishana demonstrated that loyalty to truth and virtue transcends lineage or birth. He became a living reminder that Rama’s ideals were not confined to Ayodhya but extended across the world. 

Hanuman, the eternal devotee, was blessed with immortality and instructed to remain wherever Rama’s name was remembered. His role was to preserve bhakti, ensuring that the story of Rama would never fade from human memory. Hanuman’s humility, strength, and unwavering devotion made him a beacon for devotees, inspiring countless generations to seek refuge in Rama’s name. His presence guaranteed that the Ramayana would not merely be a tale of the past but a living tradition of faith. 

Jambavan, the wise king of bears, was asked to remain as a guardian of knowledge and continuity. Known for his wisdom and foresight, he represented the enduring presence of guidance across ages. His longevity allowed him to connect different eras, appearing again in later traditions such as Krishna’s time, thereby linking Rama’s legacy with future incarnations of Vishnu. 

Together, these three figures embodied governance, devotion, and wisdom. Rama’s request ensured that even after his departure, humanity would not be bereft of guidance. Through them, the values of dharma, bhakti, and knowledge continued to flourish, keeping Rama’s spirit alive on earth. 

Coming to the last post, messengers, sent urgently by Rama, traveled without rest and reached Madhura on the third day. They informed Shatrughna of the extraordinary events in Ayodhya: Lakshmana’s banishment due to Rama’s vow, the enthronement of Kusha and Lava in the splendid new cities of Kushavati and Shravasti, and Rama’s decision—along with Bharata and the people of Ayodhya—to ascend to the celestial realm. Struck with grief and devotion, Shatrughna summoned his people and his priest Kancana, resolved to join Rama, and completed his royal duties. He divided his wealth between his two sons, installing Subahu as king of Madhura and Shatrughatin as ruler of Vaidisha, before departing swiftly for Ayodhya. 

There he found Rama radiant among sages and declared his wish to follow him. Rama accepted. Soon vast hosts of Vanaras, bears, Sugriva, and celestial beings gathered, unwilling to be separated from Rama. Sugriva installed Angada and prepared to accompany him. Rama instructed Vibhishana to remain in Lanka and Hanuman to stay on earth as long as Rama’s story was told, while Jambavan was to remain until the Kali Yuga. Surrounded by devotees, Rama prepared for his divine departure. We can look at Rama’s departure for mahaprasthana in the following chapter. 

In chapter 109, Rama’s departure for mahaprasthana can be seen. 

When dawn broke, Rama—the broad-chested, lotus-eyed, and illustrious king—prepared to undertake the final and most sacred journey of his earthly life. With serenity and divine radiance, he instructed his spiritual preceptor, the venerable Vasishtha, to lead the way. “Let the Agnihotra, burning brightly with the presence of the Twice-born, and the sacrificial canopy be borne ahead,” he said, adding respectfully that Vasishtha himself should precede them. This command marked the beginning of Rama’s Mahāprasthāna, the great departure. 

Vasishtha, majestic and unwavering in his knowledge of sacred law, carried out every rite and ritual required for this moment, leaving nothing undone. When the auspicious preparations were completed, Rama emerged, clad in fine silk garments, invoking Brahma and reciting sacred Vedic mantras. Holding blades of kuśa grass reverently in both hands, he began his solemn walk toward the sacred river Sarayu. Rama moved slowly, pausing at intervals, traversing the rugged path in contemplative silence. His brilliance was likened to the sun, and he walked barefoot—an emblem of humility even in divinity. 

As he left the palace for the last time, two divine beings accompanied him in visible form: Shri Lakshmi, resplendent with her lotus, walked gracefully on his right; on his left walked Goddess Vyavasāyā, the deity of the Earth. All of Rama’s celestial weapons—his unfailing arrows, his magnificent bow, and every divine implement that had served him during his earthly mission—took human shape and joined him on the path. The very personifications of sacred knowledge went with him: the Vedas embodied as brahmins, the holy Gayatri, the cosmic syllable aum, and the sacred utterance vaṣaṭ followed in Rama’s sublime procession. Great rishis, radiant deities, and guardian spirits of the Earth accompanied him as he moved toward the threshold of heaven. 

Following closely behind were the women of the royal inner chambers—elderly women, young children, attendants, eunuchs, and personal servants—all of whom refused to be separated from their beloved lord in this final passage. Bharata, ever devoted, walked in Rama’s footsteps with his wives; Shatrughna followed as well, both brothers maintaining profound reverence. The ritual fire, symbol of purity and witness to countless sacrifices, was carried along the route. 

Rishis of exalted virtue joined the assembly, bringing with them their ritual implements, families, and disciples. Ministers, officials, and servants, accompanied by their families and even their animals, streamed steadily into the procession, eager to witness and participate in this unprecedented event. The entire population of Ayodhya—healthy, joyful, and purified by their devotion—joined Rama’s march. Not a single resident stayed behind. Men and women alike brought their birds, beasts, and companions with them, as though the entire visible and invisible world were migrating in Rama’s wake. 

Among those who joined were the Vanaras—the monkey warriors who had once stood alongside Rama in battle. Having bathed and purified themselves, they expressed their exultation in powerful cries of “Kilakila!” Their voices rang through the air, not in grief but in jubilant devotion, for they understood that they were accompanying Rama on his return to his divine abode. 

What made this journey extraordinary was not sorrow but universal bliss. There was no mourning, no lamentation, no reluctance. Instead, an overwhelming joy filled every heart. Every being who walked with Rama did so with uplifted spirits, their faces glowing with devotion. Even the people living in the regions through which Rama passed were so moved by the sight of him that they instantly joined the procession, unable to resist the pull of his presence. 

Bears, monkeys, mighty titans, humble citizens, and sages—all moved in harmony. The procession was a majestic river of beings, unified by a single desire: to behold Rama as he made his ascent from the mortal world. The invisible beings of Ayodhya—the subtle, unseen inhabitants who dwelt in the city beyond the perception of most—also accompanied the lord, proving that this was no ordinary departure but a cosmic event witnessed by all strata of existence. 

Such was the magnetism of Rama’s presence that even the inanimate world seemed stirred into devotion. Trees, stones, and rivers appeared to participate through their stillness, as though bowing in reverence. Animals of every kind, even those born of lesser creatures, instinctively followed. Ayodhya became utterly empty—not a single being remained within its boundaries. Every lifeform, every sentient and insentient entity that could move or be carried along, followed him. 

Rama’s journey to the Sarayu, accompanied by the entire fabric of creation, was the culmination of a divine life lived in righteousness. It symbolized the collective liberation of beings touched by his presence. As Rama moved closer to the river, the boundary between the earthly realm and the celestial seemed to dissolve, and all who followed him walked with the assurance that they were participating in a sacred and transformative passage. 

Thus, in unmatched grandeur—accompanied by gods, sages, his brothers, his people, animals, and even embodiments of divine knowledge—Rama approached the gateway to heaven, fulfilling the final chapter of his earthly mission. 

This concludes chapter 109 of Uttara Kanda, where saw Rama on a journey to depart the mortal world. The unprecedent event was marked by an atmosphere of bliss rather than sorrow from everyone who followed. Goddess Lakshmi, Vyavasaya, all of Rama’s weapons taking human shape, Vedas, holy Gayatri, women of inner chambers, Bharata, Shatrughna, the rishis, ministers, officials, servants, entire population of Ayodhya, bears, monkeys, titans and every form of life including animals, birds etc followed him on the majestic journey. As we can see, Ayodhya became utterly empty—not a single being remained within its boundaries. Every lifeform, every sentient and insentient entity that could move or be carried along, followed him. Such was the aura of a noble king who moved everyone from within to create a divine, radiant spectacle for ages. We can look at this journey culminating to an end as Rama ascends to heaven with every other being in the subsequent chapter.