In front of all the monkeys and the rākṣasas, Rāma replied, ‘I am honoured Vibhīṣaṇa and I am grateful for all that you have done, your good advice, your deeds and your friendship. It is not as if I do not want to do as you have suggested, but I long for my brother Bharata. He followed me to Citrakūṭa and with his head bowed, he begged me to return. But I could not do as he asked. I long to see virtuous Kausalyā, Sumitrā, Kaikeyī and all the elders, my teachers, all the citizens and their children.
‘King of the rākṣasas, send for your magical chariot quickly. My work is done, there is no reason for me to linger here. Let me go, dear friend! You have honoured me enough. Do not be angry with me, let me leave as soon as possible!’
Vibhīṣaṇa announced the arrival of the Puṣpaka, adorned with flowers. It could move as swiftly as thought and could not be restrained by anything. He stood beside it, waiting for Rāma.
With his palms joined, he said humbly, ‘What shall I do now?’
Rāma thought for a moment and said, ‘Vibhīṣaṇa, the monkeys have made a heroic effort. Honour them all with gifts and jewels and ornaments. Unconquerable Lankā was taken with their help. They all fought with enthusiasm, ready to sacrifice their lives in battle. We must be grateful to these mighty monkeys. Honour them well! Give them gifts that will make them happy!’ Vibhīṣaṇa honoured them all and gave them gifts according to their rank and status.
Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa climbed into the wondrous vehicle. Rāma placed Sītā on his lap and she blushed with embarrassment. Rāma addressed Sugrīva, Vibhīṣaṇa and all the monkeys.
‘You have all done great things because of your affection for me. You have my permission to leave now. Go wherever you please. Sugrīva, you have proved that you are a friend and a well wisher and that you will not tolerate unrighteousness. Return to Kiṣkindha with your army! Vibhīṣaṇa, you shall stay in Lankā and rule the kingdom I have given you. Even the gods led by Indra will not dare attack you!
‘Let me say goodbye. With your permission, I shall return to Ayodhyā, my father’s capital city.’
The great monkeys and the rākṣasa Vibhīṣaṇa joined their palms and said, ‘We want to go to Ayodhyā! Take us with you! We shall watch as you are crowned king, pay our respects to Kausalyā and return to our homes soon after that!’
‘I would be delighted to return to Ayodhyā with all of you, my beloved friends!’ said Rāma. ‘Come and enjoy all that Ayodhyā has to offer. Come! Sugrīva, climb quickly into Puṣpaka with your army. Come, Vibhīṣaṇa, with all your ministers!’
They all climbed into the wondrous vehicle, and, with Rāma’s permission, Puṣpaka rose into the sky.
Chapter Sixty-Eight
Rāma’s glance fell upon Hanumān, the best of all monkeys, who was so dear to him. ‘Go ahead to Ayodhyā and find out if all is well with the people in the royal palace!’ he said to him. ‘Go to Śṛnagavera and give my good wishes to my friend Guha, the king of the Niṣādas. He will be glad to know that I am well and he will show you the road that leads to Ayodhyā and Bharata.
‘Ask after Bharata’s welfare on my behalf. Tell him about my success and about Sītā’s abduction by Rāvaṇa and my alliance with Sugrīva and the killing of Vālī in battle. Tell him about the search for Sītā and how you found her when you leapt over the boundless ocean. Tell him how we built the bridge and how Rāvaṇa was killed. Tell him how we saw our father again because of the grace of the great gods.
‘Tell him, “Mighty Rāma has achieved his goals. He has killed his enemy and earned fame. Now he is coming here with his friends.” When Bharata hears all this, he will reveal his emotions through his gestures. Observe them carefully, especially any sign that indicates he is not favourably disposed towards me. Note everything he says and does. Whose mind would not turn towards the kingdom of his forefathers which is filled with elephants and horses and chariots? Monkey, find out Bharata’s state of mind and his intentions and return to us before we have gone too far!’
Hanumān took the form of a man and went quickly towards Ayodhyā. He leapt into the sky and took the path of his father the wind. He flew over the confluence of the Gangā and Yamunā and arrived in Śṛngaverapura. He gave Guha the news of Rāma’s success and his imminent arrival and swiftly flew onwards to Nandigrāma.
When he was about one yojanā away from Ayodhyā, he saw Bharata, pale and emaciated, wearing the skin of the black antelope and living the life of an ascetic. Bharata was tormented over his brother’s misfortune. His hair was matted and his body was covered with dust. He lived righteously, performing severe penances and eating only roots and fruits. He had restrained his senses and shone like a great ṛṣi.
Hanumān went up to him and with his palms joined, he spoke to him respectfully. ‘Rāma, the one you mourn, the man who lived in the Daṇḍaka forest with his hair matted, asks after your welfare. I bring you good news! Renounce your grief, for soon you will be reunited with Rāma. He has killed Rāvaṇa and rescued Sītā. He has accomplished his mission and is coming here with all his friends. And so are Lakṣmaṇa and Sītā!’
Bharata swooned with joy, but after a moment, he rose and took a deep breath. He embraced the monkey and anointed him with tears of happiness. ‘I don’t know if you are a man or a god that has come here out of compassion for me. But I would like to give you something valuable for the good news you have brought. Hundreds and thousands of cows or a hundred villages, or sixteen virtuous virgins with curly hair, golden skins, firm thighs and faces like the moon, wealthy and well-born!’
‘After all these many years in the forest, I finally have some good news about Rāma!’ continued Bharata. ‘The old saying, that happiness comes to a man even if after a hundred years, is true! Tell me everything! How did Rāma come to make an alliance with the monkeys? Where did it happen and for what purpose?’
Hanumān sat down and began to tell Bharata all that had happened to Rāma in the forest. ‘Rāma was banished by the boons given to your mother and then, King Daśaratha died of grief for his son. You were brought back quickly from Rājagṛha but you did not want the kingdom. You went to Citrakūṭa and, acting righteously, you invited our brother back. He renounced the kingdom but you did also and returned with his sandals. You know all this already, mighty one! Now let me tell you all that happened after you left Citrakūṭa.
‘Rāma, Lakṣmaṇa and Sītā went deeper into the desolate forest after you left. Virādha appeared in front of them, roaring loudly. But they killed him and threw him into a pit. Then they arrived in Janasthāna and Rāma killed the fourteen thousand wicked rākṣasas who lived there. Then Śūrpanakhā arrived and instructed by Rāma, Lakṣmaṇa grabbed a sword and cut off her nose and ears. Tormented, she went to Rāvaṇa. Then, one of Rāvaṇa’s people, a rākṣasa named Mārīca became a jewelled deer and excited Sītā’s greed. She wanted to have it and Rāma went after the deer, killing it with an arrow in its back.
‘Lakṣmaṇa, too, had left the settlement and Rāvaṇa came there, the way a malignant planet approaches Rohiṇi in the sky, and quickly took Sītā. Rāvaṇa killed the vulture Jaṭāyu who tried to stop him from taking Sītā away. A group of wondrous monkeys, large as elephants, stood on top of a mountain and watched in amazement as they saw Rāvaṇa, the king of the rākṣasas, carrying Sītā away. He took her to Lankā and tried to win her over with sweet words.
‘Then, Rāma returned and when he saw the dying bird who was his father’s friend, he was very distressed. As he wandered in the region of the Godāvarī, he came to a forest full of flowers. The brothers were approached by Kabandha. On his advice, they went to Rṣyamūka where Rāma made an alliance with Sugrīva. Rāma killed the mighty Vālī in battle and gave Sugrīva a kingdom of his own. Sugrīva promised Rāma that he and the other monkeys would search for the princess.
‘Sugrīva sent thousands of millions of monkeys in all directions.
A long time passed and we were all depressed and overcome with grief in the Vindhyas. Sampāti, Jaṭāyu’s brother, told us that Sītā was in Lankā, in Rāvaṇa’s palace. I resorted to my innate strength and leapt one hundred yojanās over the ocean. I found Sītā alone and miserable in the aśoka grove. She was wearing a single soiled garment and though she was very unhappy, she had remained firm in her vows.
‘She gave me a token of recognition and I returned to Rāma. Once he heard that Sītā was alive, Rāma felt better and renewed his interest in life. He decided to destroy Rāvaṇa and called up all his resources. When we reached the ocean, Nala built a bridge that allowed the army of monkeys to cross over to Lankā. Rāma killed Kumbhakarṇa and Nīla killed Prahasta and Lakṣmaṇa killed Rāvaṇa’s son. Then Rāma himself killed Rāvaṇa.
‘Rāma received many boons from Indra, Yama, Varuṇa and from the other gods and sages. He was very happy and along with the monkeys, he is coming back in the magical chariot Puṣpaka. He has reached the Gangā and is spending the night there with the sages. Tomorrow, during the auspicious hour of Puˉṣa, you will see Rāma again!’
Bharata was delighted. He joined his palms and said, ‘At last! My dearest wish has been fulfilled!’ He went over to Śatrughna and said, ‘Let all the people who have purified themselves honour the gods in all the temples. Decorate the public places in the city with flowers and let music fill the air! Let the courtiers and bards and commanders of the army get ready to welcome moon-faced Rāma!’
Śatrughna sent out labour forces by the thousands to level the roads between Nandigrāma and the city. They filled the holes, moved away the rocks and stones and made the roads smooth and firm. ‘Sprinkle the area with cold water and let the road be strewn with flowers and puffed rice. Hoist flags and banners on the highways and make sure that the city’s mansions have been decorated before sunrise! Adorn them with wreaths and garlands and cover the main thoroughfare with hundreds of flowers!’
Chariot warriors went out in their magnificent chariots and rutting elephants adorned with gold were led out of the city. Daśratha’s women climbed into lovely vehicles and went out behind Kausalyā. The earth shook with the sound of horses and mules neighing, chariots rumbling, drums beating and conches blaring as the entire city moved to Nandigrāma.
Bharata went out to meet Rāma along with the prominent brahmins, the leaders of the trade guilds and his ministers who were carrying flowers and water. They were accompanied by the music of drums and conches. Righteous Bharata carried his brother’s sandals on his head. He also took with him the white umbrella of state that was adorned with white flowers as well as fly whisks decorated with gold that were worthy of a king. Bharata was thin from fasting and he still wore the skin of the black antelope, but now he was filled with joy at the prospect of his brother’s return.
He scanned the directions and looked all around. ‘Are you sure you were not indulging in the fickleness of your monkey nature?’ he asked Hanumān. ‘I do not see Rāma anywhere!’
‘I am sure the monkeys are enjoying the perennial fruit and flowers and the plentiful honey at Bharadvāja’s hermitage,’ replied Hanumān. ‘This was the boon Indra gave the monkeys and Bharadvāja has been able to entertain them and offer them hospitality. I can hear the huge din the monkeys are making. From that, I can conclude that they must be crossing the Gomatī.
‘Look at that cloud of dust! The monkeys must be playing with the trees in the sāla forest. And look! There in the distance you can see the wondrous Puṣpaka that was created for Brahmā, bright as the moon! It travels faster than thought and in it are your heroic brothers and Sītā, splendid Sugrīva and Vibhīṣaṇa, the king of the rākṣasas!’
A roar of delight that seemed to pierce the sky rose from the crowds of women, children and old people gathered there. ‘Rāma is here!’ they shouted. The men dismounted from their chariots, horses and elephants and watched Rāma approaching as the moon rises in the sky. Bharata stood with his palms joined, ready to welcome his brother and to honour him.
Rāma shone like Indra as he stood in that fabulous chariot. He looked like the sun on Mount Meru and Bharata prostrated himself on the ground. The vehicle landed and Bharata went and threw himself at Rāma’s feet. Rāma raised his brother whom he had not seen for so long and embraced him joyfully. Bharata greeted Lakṣmaṇa and Sītā with delight. All the great monkeys appeared in human form, for they could change their shapes at will, and they asked after Bharata’s welfare as he embraced them all. ‘It was only because of your help that they were able to accomplish this marvellous deed!’ said Bharata sweetly to Vibhīṣaṇa. Śatrughna greeted Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa and humbly touched Sītā’s feet.
Rāma went up to his mother who had been so full of sorrow. He touched her feet, making her heart overflow with happiness. Then he greeted Sumitrā and Kaikeyī, all his other mothers and the family priest who had come with them. ‘Welcome back, son of Kausalyā!’ said the citizens with their palms joined in respect. Rāma gazed at those thousands of joined palms that were like lotuses about to bloom.
Bharata took the sandals and placed them on his brother’s feet himself. ‘With these, I return to you the kingdom I have looked after for so long!’ he said with his palms joined. ‘Now that you are back in Ayodhyā as king, my life and all my wishes have been fulfilled. Inspect the treasury, the granary and the army. By the authority you gave me, I have been able to multiply everything ten-fold.’
The monkeys and Vibhīṣaṇa wept when they saw the love and devotion Bharata had for his brother. Rāma drew Bharata into Puṣpaka and they all went together with the army to Bharata’s settlement. When they reached there, Rāma dismounted and gave Puṣpaka permission to depart. The vehicle rose into the air and went back to Kubera.
Rāma fell at the feet of the family priest who had been his teacher and whom he loved as much as he loved his own life. They sat down next to each other, like Indra and Bṛhaspati.
Bharata joined his palms above his head and said to Rāma, ‘The kingdom was given to me to please my mother. And just as it was given to me, I now give it to you! I can no longer carry the burden of the kingdom any more than a calf can bear a load that a mighty ox struggles with. Just as you cannot control a flood until you dam the river, so, too, a kingdom can only be held together by a strong ruler. I can no more step into your shoes than a donkey can imitate a horse, or a crow a swan.
‘If a man were to plant a tree that grew tall and strong with many branches difficult to climb, and if it produced only flowers and no fruit, all the hopes the man had for the tree would be in vain. We would be in a similar position if you, the best of men, were not to rule over us. Let the world see you crowned king today, blazing like the midday sun. Let yourself be woken every morning to the sweet sounds of music and the tinkling of anklets and bells. As long as the planets move in their orbits and the earth exists, so long shall you be our lord!’
Rāma acquiesced to Bharata’s request and sat upon a magnificent seat. On Śatrughna’s instructions, hair dressers with swift and gentle hands attended to Rāma. After Bharata, Lakṣmaṇa, mighty Sugrīva and the king of the rākṣasas had bathed, Rāma took his ritual bath. He cut off his matted locks and anointed himself with sweet ointments. Blazing with glory, he put on garlands and fine clothes. Meanwhile, Daśaratha’s women lovingly prepared Sītā for the necessary rituals.
Sumantra brought a dazzling chariot yoked with magnificent horses and Rāma, always devoted to the truth, climbed into it. Daśaratha’s ministers, led by the family priest, had made all the arrangements for the coronation in Ayodhyā. Rāma approached the city in his shining chariot like Indra. Bharata held the reins, Śatrughna held the royal umbrella and Lakṣmaṇa waved the plumed whisk over Rāma’s head. Sugrīva, king of the monkeys, and Vibhīṣaṇa, king of the rākṣasas, held the other whisks. The sweet sounds of the ṛṣis and the gods praising Rāma could be heard from the sky. The
monkeys took human form and resplendent in their jewels, rode upon nine thousand elephants.
The city with all its beautiful mansions was alerted by the beating of drums and the blaring of conches. The citizens watched as Rāma came closer, his body shining with splendour. They praised him and honoured him and received his thanks as they followed behind him. With his ministers, brahmins and the common people around him, Rāma seemed like the moon surrounded by stars. Musicians and singers made sweet music and sang auspicious songs as they walked in front with young women, cows and brahmins carrying saffron rice. Rāma told his ministers all about the alliance with Sugrīva, about Hanumān’s skills and powers and the wonderful exploits of the monkeys. The citizens listened to all these tales with amazement. Surrounded by the monkeys as he told these stories, Rāma entered Ayodhyā, which was teeming with happy, prosperous people. The citizens had placed flags on every house and Rāma went past them on his way to his father’s palace.
Rāma entered the palace and was greeted by his mothers. He turned to Bharata and said these righteous words. ‘Take Sugrīva to my own palace which is decorated with gold and lapis and has a beautiful pleasure garden.’ Bharata took the king of the monkeys there himself and retainers hurried in with oil lamps and fine fabrics for the couches and seats.
Śatrughna asked Sugrīva to send out his people to make the necessary arrangements for the coronation. Immediately, Sugrīva gave four golden pots studded with jewels to four monkeys saying, ‘Come back before dawn tomorrow with water from the four oceans!’ At once, the monkeys leapt into the sky with the speed of Garuḍa. Jāmbavān, Hanumān, Vegadarśī and Ṛṣabha came back with water from the four oceans while the others collected water from five hundred rivers. Śatrughna and the ministers courteously told the family priest that everything was ready for the ceremonies.
Valmiki's Ramayana Page 60