Srimad Bhagavatam – day 519
The demon army fought ferociously with their invincible weapons. It was impossible to withstand their onslaught. Nevertheless Srirama with the help of Vanara army led by Sugriva, Lakshmana, Hanuman, Gandhamādana, Neela, Angada, Jāmbhavān, Panasa and others bravely fought the demons.
Demons resort to unimaginable illusory tricks during war. From the moment he kidnapped Seeta, all auspiciousness deserted Ravana. Angada and other able commanders of Rama’s army deftly attacked the enemy army which consisted of infantry, cavalry, elephantry as well as the commanders who were mounted on chariots. They killed the demons using trees, huge mountain peaks, maces and sharp arrows.
Ravana was enraged when he saw his army being destroyed in the hands of the Vanaras. He now mounted a chariot and proceeded to attack Rama. At this juncture, Indra’s charioteer Mātali, arrived at the battlefield with Indra’s chariot. Srirama mounted this chariot. Ravana dispatched powerful crescent-moon shaped arrows at Rama. Addressing Ravana, Srirama said,
“O nastiest immoral, wicked demon! Like a sly dog you kidnapped my wife at the time when we brothers were away. Your wicked deed is totally deplorable. Who can control the power of time? Time undoubtedly showers the resultant fruit of the deed upon the person. Similarly today I shall punish you aptly for the sin you have shamelessly committed”.
Having cautioned Ravana, Rama fixed the arrow to his bow and released it. That arrow which was as powerful as the thunderbolt tore apart Ravana’s chest causing him to vomit blood from all his ten mouths. Just as a person who has exhausted all his merit is thrown down from heaven, demon Ravana fell to the ground. Seeing this, the demons lamented loudly.
Thousands of demonesses accompanied by Ravana’s wife arrived at the battlefield moaning loudly at the loss of their male relatives. All their male relatives had died in the hands of Lakshmana. The ladies wept piteously banging their chests and moaning loudly while holding their dead relatives’ heads against their chest.
“O Ravana, my Lord! You had tormented the entire world with your might. Now in your absence these enemies will destroy your city. In whom can this Lanka seek shelter now? Who is its refuge?
O Ravana, you were very fortunate. However having succumbed to lustful desires, you failed to estimate the might of Seeta’s power. You slipped into such deplorable condition. You brought great joy to all your relatives for so long. Now in your absence this Lanka has been orphaned. We are now without a husband. Your body is now food for vultures. Taking on a subtle body you have proceeded to hell to experience punishment for all your sins”- they wept.
Thereafter Rama instructed Vibhīṣana to complete all the death ceremonies for his brothers and other relatives who had died during battle. Abiding by these instructions, Vibhīṣana dutifully completed all the funeral rites.
Srirama now saw his dearest wife Seeta, who was seated under the Simśapa tree in the Ashoka vana gardens of Lanka. She was emaciated and weak owing to separation from him. This separation was itself an intolerable disease for her.
Merely by setting her eyes upon him, Seeta’s lotus-like face bloomed in happiness. Srirama was full of compassion seeing her pitiable condition.
Srirama then handed over the kingdom of Lanka to Vibhīṣana, brother of Ravana. Blessing him with a lifespan that extends up to the end of the creation (kalpa), he appointed him the leader of all demon troops.
Together with Seeta, brother Lakshmana, Hanuman and Sugriva, he boarded the aircraft known as Pushpaka vimāna. Having completed the period of exile, he now proceeded to Ayodhya. On the way many Guardian-deities rained flowers upon him. Lords Brahma and others delightedly sang the glories of Lord Srirama.
The ever-compassionate Srirama was saddened to know that his younger brother Bharata was also spending these fourteen years wearing clothing made of bark, growing matted locks, eating grains cooked in cow’s urine and sleeping on the floor covered with darbha grass.
Bharata who heard the auspicious news that his brother Rama was on his way to Ayodhya, reverentially retained Srirama’s padukas (wooden sandals) on his head and joyfully went forward from his residence Nandigrama to welcome him. He was accompanied by royal priests, ministers and other citizens.
The citizens were loudly playing auspicious musical instruments. The Vedic scholars were loudly chanting the auspicious Vedic hymns. Many golden chariots led by fine horses harnessed by golden ropes followed Bharata. They were decorated with golden flags and many other colourful flags.
The soldiers were wearing golden armour. Thousands of sculptors, traders, servants and other people walked behind Bharata who carried the royal umbrella and other auspicious items that befitted a king. His eyes brimmed with tears of joy when he saw his dearest brother Srirama. Reverentially and lovingly he fell at Srirama’s feet. Srirama gently lifted his brother and embraced him. Tears of joys freely flowed down his cheeks.
Rāmo lakṣmaṇa-sītābhyāṁ viprebhyo ye ’rha-sattamāḥ
Tebhyaḥ svayaṁ namaścakre prajābhiś ca namaskṛtaḥ