Sri Rama returning after forest exile

(Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda - 121 to 127)

• Meditation: I meditate on Sri Rama returning towards Ayodhya from Lanka after forest exile.

• Sri Rama returning to Ayodhya in Pushpaka Vimana: Vibhisana requested Sri Rama to stay for some more days and accept his hospitality in Lanka. However, Sri Rama declined saying that he is intent on seeing Bharata and his mothers who has previously come to Chitrakoota to take him back. Vibhisana then arranged the Pushpaka Vimana for Sri Rama. Sri Rama became amazed to see that beautiful aerial car.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda - 121)

• Sri Rama requesting Vibhisana to reward the vanaras: Vibhisana then humbly asked Sri Rama what else he can do for him. Sri Rama requested Vibhisana to reward the vanaras with wealth and precious stones since they had risked their lives to get him the kingdom. Vibhisana rewarded the vanaras generously.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda - 122)

• Vanaras and Vibhisana wanting to see the coronation of Sri Rama: When Sri Rama was about to take leave in his Pushpaka Vimana, the vanaras and Vibhisana requested him to take them to Ayodhya so that they can witness his coronation. Sri Rama gladly accepted their requests and asked them to mount the Pushpaka Vimana.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda - 122)

• Sri Rama showing Devi Sita the memorable places: While travelling with Devi Sita in the Pushpaka Vimana, Sri Rama showed her the memorable places during his forest exile. Sri Rama showed the city of Lanka established on the Trikuta mountain which was built by Vishwakarma. Sri Rama showed the battlefield and the places where the various demons were killed (Ravana, Kumbhakarna, Prahasta, Dhumraksha, Vidyunmali, Indrajit, Vikata, Virupaksha, Mahaparshva, Mahodara, Akampana, Trishira, Atikaya, Devantaka, Narantaka, Yuddonmatta, Matta, Nikumbha, Kumbha, Vajradamshtra, Damshtra, Makaraksha, Akampana, Shonitaksha, Yupaksa, Prajangha, Vidyujjihva, Yajnashatru, Suptaghna, Suryashatru, Brahmashatru). Sri Rama showed the place where Ravana was killed and his thousand wives along with Mandodari lamented. Sri Rama showed the place where after crossing the ocean, they spent a night. Sri Rama showed the bridge called Nala Setu which was built across the sea. Sri Rama showed the sea which they crossed for coming to Lanka. Sri Rama showed the mountain Mainaka which rose to give rest to Hanuman. Sri Rama showed the place within the sea where the army of vanaras were stationed. Sri Rama showed the place called Setubandha where Vibhisana first came to meet him. Sri Rama showed the beautiful Kishkindha, the city of Sugreeva where Vali was killed. Seeing the city of Kishkindha, Devi Sita wished to take Tara and the other wives of Sugreeva to Ayodhya. Granting her wish, Sri Rama halted the Pushpaka Vimana and took the wives of the vanaras. Sri Rama then showed the Rishyamuka Parvata where he first met Sugreeva and entered into friendship with him. Sri Rama showed the Pampa Sarovar where he lamented for Devi Sita and met Shabari. Sri Rama showed the place where demon Kabandha was killed. Sri Rama showed the tree under which Jatayu was lying being wounded by Ravana. Sri Rama showed Panchavati, the place where demons Khara, Dushana and Trishira were killed and the leaf-hut where they stayed, and from where Ravana abducted her. Sri Rama showed the hermitages of sages Suteekshna and Sharabhanga. Sri Rama showed the hermitage of sage Atri and Anasuya. Sri Rama showed the place where demon Viradha was killed. Sri Rama showed mountain Chitrakoota where Bharata came to see him. Sri Rama showed river Yamuna and the hermitage of sage Bharadwaja. Sri Rama showed river Ganga (which meets river Yamuna at Prayaga). Sri Rama showed Shringaverapura, the kingdom of Guha. Sri Rama showed river Sarayu and the city of Ayodhya. Sri Rama asked Devi Sita to salute Ayodhya.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda - 123)

• Sri Rama halting at the hermitage of sage Bharadwaja: Sri Rama halted at the hermitage of sage Bharadwaja while returning to Ayodhya after his forest exile. Sri Rama asked about the welfare of Ayodhya. Bharadwaja assured him that all is well. Then the sage said that by virtue of his asceticism he knew everything that happened during his forest exile. Sri Rama asked the boon that the route from there to Ayodhya be filled with fruits even in the off-season (so that the vanaras can consume it). Sage Bharadwaja granted the boon.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda - 124)

• Sri Rama sending Hanuman to inform Guha and Bharata: Sri Rama sent Hanuman to Shringaverapura to communicate his welfare to Guha, the king of the Nishadas. Then, told Hanuman to ask Guha about Bharata and the way to Ayodhya. Thereafter going to Ayodhya, to enquire about the welfare of Bharata and inform him about the different incidents that happened during his forest exile, and that Rama is coming to him with Vibhisana and Sugreeva. Thereafter, he told Hanuman to find out the intention of Bharata from his facial expression. If Bharata wanted to rule the entire kingdom, let him have it. As commanded by Sri Rama, Hanuman assumed a human form and left for Ayodhya. Crossing Prayaga, the confluence of rivers Ganga and Yamuna, Hanuman reached Shringaverapura. He met Guha and gave the news of Sri Rama. On the way, Hanuman saw Ramatirtha, and rivers Valukini, Varuthi, Gomati, Bhima as well as forest of Sala trees. Then reaching Nandigrama, Hanuman saw Bharata living in a hermitage like an ascetic, and ruling the kingdom placing the wooden sandals of Sri Rama. Hanuman informed him about the arrival of Sri Rama. Bharata fainted in joy. Then regaining his balance, Bharata embraced Hanuman. Bharata said that in return for this news he will give him a hundred thousand cows, hundred villages and sixteen girls of good conduct as wives. Bharata then told Hanuman to narrate the story of Sri Rama in the forest. Hanuman narrated all the incidents that happened in the forest and told him that Sri Rama is currently residing in the hermitage of sage Bharadwaja. Bharata was overjoyed to hear about Sri Rama.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda - 125 to 126)

• Sri Rama returning to Nandigrama: Bharata commanded Shatrughna to make arrangements for receiving Sri Rama at Ayodhya. Shatrughna levelled the ground from Nandigrama to Ayodhya and sprinkled parched grains and flowers over it. He decorated Ayodhya with beautiful flags as also the buildings on the way. He sprinkled fragrant colours, garlands and flowers on the royal highway. All the mothers proceeded to Nandigrama. Bharata made arrangements to give a royal reception to Sri Rama at Nandigrama with royal parasols, soldiers, brahmanas, musicians etc. Sri Rama arrived there in the Pushpaka Vimana along with Devi Sita, Lakshmana, Vibhisana, Sugreeva and others. Bharata saluted Sri Rama. Sri Rama embraced him. Then Bharata received Devi Sita and Lakshmana. Bharata embraced the vanara chiefs like Sugreeva, Jambavan, Angada and others. The vanaras changed their forms as humans and enquired about the welfare of Bharata. Bharata embraced Sugreeva and told him that he is the fifth brother. Then Bharata greeted Vibhisana. Thereafter, Shatrughna offered his salutations to Sri Rama. Sri Rama offered his salutations to his mothers and the royal priests. The citizens of Ayodhya shouted the victory of Sri Rama. Bharata placed the sandals of Sri Rama before his feet and said that he is returning the sovereignty of Sri Rama today. Bharata said that as a keeper he has enhanced the treasury, granary and other possessions ten-fold. Seeing the affection of Bharata for his brother, Vibhisana and the vanaras shed tears. Then Sri Rama reached the hermitage of Bharata in the Pushpaka Vimana and told the aerial car to return to Kubera.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda - 127)

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