Lord Rama Retursn to Ayodhya
(Retold based on Valmiki Ramayana, Yuddha
Kanda, Sarga 128)
Rama had been banished from the kingdom to
spend 14 years in the jungle by his father King Dasaratha. Who were the people
waiting? Bharata, Shatrugna, Hanuman (who had flown earlier with news of Rama’s
expected arrival), the ministers, the queen mothers Kausalya, Kaikeyi and
Sumithra, the other royal folk and of course the citizens who loved Rama as
their own family.
Then they saw it! A distant glint that became
bigger and bigger and dazzled the onlookers with the sunlight hitting its
golden wings. On it were their beloved Rama, the beautiful Sita and the mighty
Lakshmana. With them there were many who looked like vanaras and dhanavas whom
the Ayodhyans were not familiar with. They didn’t care. Those people were with
their Rama and their Rama was back.
The huge pushpak was very graceful and quiet as
it touched down on a grass land. Bharata and Satrugana ran with tears streaming
down their eyes.
Vasishta, the ever duty focused Guru of the
Ikshvaku clan was busy consulting other pundits for a suitable date of Rama’s
coronation. The elders soon decided that the very next day was auspicious for
the occasion. This was conveyed to an overjoyed Bharata and the rest.
Bharata sent word to Ayodhya to get the city
and the palace ready for the occasion. Satrugna ordered the barbers to give his
brothers the necessary assistance. The barbers unmatted Rama’s and Lakshmana’s
hair. Satrugna made arrangements for getting the finery required for Rama and
Lakshmana including rich silks, ornaments and unguents (fragrant oil and paste
for the body).
The queen mothers and the wives of the brothers
personally took over the adornment of Ma Sita. Kausalya with her kind heart
gave all the vanara women a bath and adorned them.
Satrugna presented a magnificent golden,
decorated chariot for Rama to proceed towards Ayodhya. Bharata drove the
chariot. Satrugna held a parasol (umbrella) over Rama and Sita. Lakshmana and
Sugreeva were fanning the royal couple. Thousands
The divine couple was allotted a resting and
sleeping place and Rama offered his own palace to the Vanara king Sugreeva and
his clan as a mark of his appreciation and gratitude.
Bharata requested Sugreeva’s help in fulfilling
the coronation auspiciously. Sugreeva immediately called four of his vanaras
and gave them bejewelled pots.
Jambavan, Hanuman, a monkey called Vegadarshi
and Rishabha brought water from five hundred rivers. Sushena brought a jar,
adorned with all types of precious stones, filled with water from the eastern
sea. Gavaya brought water from the western sea and Nala brought water from the
northern sea. Rishabha brought water from the southern sea with some stems of
the red sandalwood tree for fragrance.
Vasishta presided as Rama and Sita ascended the
throne studded with gems. Vasishta, Vamadeva, Kashyapa, Katyayana, Suyajna,
Gautama and Vijaya consecrated Rama, with clear and fragrant water, as the
eight Vasus*
(* Eight Vasus: 1. Aapa (connected with water),
2. Dhruva the pole-star, 3. Soma the moon, 4. Dhara the earth, 5. Anila the
wind, 6. Pavaka the fire, 7. Pratyusha the Dawn 8. Prabhasa the Light.)
Vasishta and the gurus sprinkled the sap of
medicinal herbs on Rama in the presence of the general public and the Gods to
the recitation of vedic hymns.
The crown worn by Manu at his consecration,
fashioned by Brahma and studded with precious gems and dazzling was then placed
on Lord Rama by the great Kulaguru (family teacher) Vasishta. Sugreeva and
Vibeeshana fanned Rama with a white whisk while Satrugna held a white parasol
on top. The noise of the bells, vedic chanting, conches and the roar of the
public was all mingled with one another.
Lord Rama presented a beautiful necklace to Ma
Sita. She looked at the precious gem and then at Rama. Smiling, Rama said, "Dear
Seetha! Give the pearl-necklace to a person, with whom you are pleased and in
whom the following qualities - sharpness, firmness, renown, dexterity,
competence, modesty, prudence, virility, prowess and intelligence are ever
present."
Sita Devi nodded with a smile looked towards
Hanuman and called him. She then put the beautiful pearl necklace around his
neck.
Then Lord Rama told his brother Lakshmana that
he wanted to make him as the Yuvaraja (Prince Regent). Lakshmana refused saying
he just wanted to serve Rama and Sita. After failing to convince him despite
repeated requests, Rama made Bharata the Yuvaraja.
Thus began the glorious era of Rama Rajya and
Ayodhya became the Bhuloka Vaikunta.
In many parts across Bharath, we celebrate
Diwali on the day Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya. It is not just the return of a
popular leader and King to his kingdom.
It signifies for us the triumph of dharma over
adharma and the beginning of a dharmic and ideal life.
Jai Shriram!
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