Chapter
14
Ending the Play
Janaki
was amazed at the sight of the Vanaras and others, as
well as the way in which they were decorated and dressed
up. Just then, Valmiki the Sage reached the place,
evidently overcome with anxiety. He described all that
had happened before Sita. He loosened the bonds on
Hanuman, Jambavan and others and bewailed, "Boys! What is
this you have done? You have come here after felling to
the ground Rama, Lakshmana, Bharatha and Satrughna." Sita
was shocked at this. She said, "Alas! Dear children! On
account of you, the dynasty itself has been tarnished.
Don't delay further. Prepare for my sathi,
that I may ascend the same. I cannot live hereafter."
Sita pleaded for quick action.
The Sage Valmiki
consoled her and imparted some courage. Then, he went
with Kusa and Lava to the battlefield and he was amazed
at what he saw there. He recognized the chariot and the
horses of Rama and finding Rama, he fell at his feet.
Rama rose in a trice and sat up. Kusa and Lava were
standing opposite to him. Valmiki addressed Rama thus:
"Lord! My life has attained fulfillment. O, how blessed
am I!" Then, he described how Lakshmana had left Sita
alone in the forest, and how Sita lived in his hermitage,
where Kusa and Lava were born. He said, "Lord! Kusa and
Lava are your sons. May the Five Elements be my witness,
I declare that Kusa and Lava are your sons." Hearing
these words, Rama embraced the boys and stroked their
heads. Through the Grace of Rama, the fallen Vanaras and
warriors rose alive. Lakshmana, Bharatha and Satrughna
caressed and fondled the boys. Lakshmana hurried to where
Sita was, for, Rama directed him to find out from her
what she proposed to do about her "vow". Nearing her,
Lakshmana fell at her feet. Sita was desirous of
fulfilling the "vow" if that was the wish of Rama; so,
she accompanied Lakshmana to the presence of Rama. Seeing
the group she made this pronouncement as the Truth: "O
Gods! O Elements Five! I have not dwelt even in my dream
on anyone other than Rama, in mind, speech, body or deed.
O Mother! Goddess Earth! Take me into yourself".
Immediately, the Earth sundered where she stood, with a
great rumbling and from the trench so formed, there arose
a Divine Lion-Throne, with the Goddess Earth seated
therein. As She came to the surface, She held out Her
Hand, and lifting Janaki from the ground, She blessed her
thus. "O Janaki! From birth until today, no day passed
without your sorrowing therein. You streamed tears
always. Come in my Home, be happy". The next second, they
were both out of sight. Her glory spread over the three
worlds. This was clearly seen by Lakshmana and
others.
They shed tears. Rama
acted the role of a saddened person. He thought within
himself. "Janaki has gone in consonance with the
inclinations of my mind. She was always moving in
accordance with the plans I had in mind. Now, we should
also proceed to our
Vaikunta
residence." But, to others, he appeared sad and grieving
a little. Soon, he left for the Capital City with his
brothers and sons. He performed the concluding rites of
the Yaga as planned. He gave away in charity the sixteen
prescribed gifts in quantities that were beyond
description. Rama honored Emperor Janaka as befitted his
status and took the sons to his presence. He was
immensely delighted when he saw his grandsons. Since
Janaka was replete with wisdom, and since he was aware
through his divine insight of the Divinity of
Sita,
he did not exhibit any surprise or wonder, anxiety or
worry, over what had happened; his mind was unaffected
because he knew that what had to happen had happened. His
attitude was also not affected to the slightest extent by
the incidents that took place. Janaka left for Mithila
City filled with unbounded joy.
The Gurus and the
Brahmins came into the presence of Rama, according to the
message sent by Him. And, they took leave of Him, happy
that they were enabled to witness the great Yaga; they
returned to their homes fully content.
Thereafter, calling the
sons to his side, Rama advised them about the means and
methods of administration of the empire; then he formally
invested them with the insignia of imperium. He placed
the son of Bharatha, Thaksha, over the Southern Kingdom;
his second son, Pushkara, was given the Pushkara Kingdom.
They destroyed the remnants of Rakshasas that were there
and established themselves in those Kingdoms. The sons of
Lakshmana, Chitrakethu and Chitrangada, were mighty
warriors, heroic fighters, veterans of wars. They were
deputed to the Western Region and destroying the
Rakshasas there, they ruled over that area. Rama invested
those two with regal authority over Cities with different
names which became their capital cities. He also gave all
the sons valuable advice on political and administrative
matters. Kusa was installed in Ayodhya and so Lava was
awarded the Northern Region, the treasure chest of
riches. The City of Lavapura (modern Lahore) was fixed as
his capital City. Rama gave away cows, lands, clothes and
money to the fullest to each.
Meanwhile, the news
that Rama was contemplating return to his own place came
to be known by the people of Ayodhya; they came in
immense numbers to his presence and prayed that their
requests be listened to. Their request was that they too
be taken by Him to His divine Home. The Lord said that it
was a right request and he agreed to do so. He was glad
at their affection and the devotion and dedication they
had towards their Lord. Lakshmana led them
all.
The
Kishkindha
Kingdom was allotted to Angada,
Sugriva,
Jambavantha,
Vibhishana,
Nala, Nela and
other individuals embodying parts of Divinity, and
billions of Vanaras come to fulfill the Divine Mission,
came to the Presence of Rama at that time. Rama accosted
them and said, "Vibhishana! You have to rule over
Lanka;
you will attain my Presence in the end"; He blessed him
thus. Then, He turned to Jambavan, and told him,
"Jambavan! Be on the earth till the end of the
Dwapara age.
Then, incarnated as Krishna,
a fight with you will happen to me. You will then
recognize me as now" [see S.B.
10.56]. He
blessed him in that manner.
Then he proceeded to
the bank of the Sarayu river. Bharatha walked on the
right side of Rama and Satrughna on his left. Behind him
walked the ministers and the people of the city. As they
entered the waters, Bharatha merged in the Lord;
Satrughna touched the water and shone in the Lotus and
merged in the Lord.
The Lord uttered a
Blessing that all who come to the Holy Land of Ayodhya
and all who bathe in the sacred Sarayu can reach Him.
Sathya
Sai sings:
Rama Kodanda Rama - MP3
Rama
Kodanda Rama Rama Pattabhi Rama
Rama Kalyana Rama Raghava
Rama
Nidokka Mata Rama Nakokka Muta
Rama Ni Pate Pata Rama Ni Bate Bata || Rama ||
"O
Rama! Your every utterance is a bundle of wealth to
me,
O Rama! only Your song is (the best) song, only Your
path
is (the best) path"
Rama
Nikevaru Jodu Rama Nikanta Judu
Rama Nenu Nivadu Rama Nato Matadu || Rama ||
"O
Rama! who is Your match (nobody)! look after me,
O Rama! I am Yours, talk to me"
Rama
Namame Melu, Svami Chintane Chalu
Svami Namame Melu, Rama Chintane Chalu
Ni Chintane Chalu, Ni Namame Melu
Rama Namame Melu, Rama Chintane Chalu || Rama
||
"Only
Rama's name is beneficial, thought of Svami is itself
enough
Only Svami's name is beneficial, thought of Rama is
itself enough
Your thought is itself enough, only Your name is
beneficial
Only Rama's name is beneficial, thought of Rama is itself
enough"
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