03.275
Mārkaṇḍeya said.
Having slain the base Rāvaṇa, king of the rākṣasas and enemy of the gods, Rāma, together with his friends and Lakṣmaṇa, became glad. (03-275-1)
Then, after the ten-necked Rāvaṇa was slain, the gods, led by sages, honored the mighty-armed hero with blessings filled with victory. (03-275-2)
All the deities praised Rama, the lotus-petal-eyed one. The Gandharvas, and the dwellers of the world of gods, showered flowers and uttered words of praise. (03-275-3)
After worshipping Rama as is proper, they returned the way they had come. The sky was like a grand festival, O Acyuta. (03-275-4)
Then, having slain the ten-necked Rāvaṇa, Rāma, the greatly renowned lord and conqueror of enemy cities, gave Laṅkā to Vibhīṣaṇa. (03-275-5)
Then, placing Sītā in front, who was accompanied by Vibhīṣaṇa, Avindhya, the very wise and aged minister, set out. (03-275-6)
He said to the great-souled Kākutstha, who was in distress: "O great-souled one, accept the virtuous goddess Jānakī." (03-275-7)
After hearing these words and descending from the excellent chariot, the descendant of Ikṣvāku saw Sita whose face was covered with tears. (03-275-8)
Having seen her, whose limbs were lovely, seated in a vehicle, emaciated by grief, whose entire body was covered with dirt, with matted hair, and clad in black garments. (03-275-9)
Rāma, uncertain about having consulted, said to Vaidehī: "Go, O Vaidehī, you are released; whatever needed to be done has been accomplished by me." (03-275-10)
O fortunate lady, since you have obtained me as your husband, you will not grow old in the demon's house—thus, by me, that night-wandering demon has been slain. (03-275-11)
How could someone like me, who knows the true rule of dharma, ever sustain or accept even for a moment a woman who has passed into another man's hands? (03-275-12)
O Maithili, whether you are well-formed or ill-formed, even today, I am not inclined to enjoy you—just as one would not partake of a sacrificial offering licked by a dog. (03-275-13)
Then, the girl suddenly fell down, distressed, upon hearing that harsh speech, just like a plantain tree cut down. (03-275-14)
The blush that appeared on her face from joy immediately vanished again in a moment, like a breath in a mirror. (03-275-15)
Then, all the monkeys, together with Lakshmana, upon hearing Rama's words, became motionless as if lifeless. (03-275-16)
Then the god of pure essence, the four-faced grandsire and creator of the world, showed himself to Rāghava. (03-275-17)
Śakra (Indra), Agni, Vāyu, Yama, Varuṇa, the lord of the Yakṣas (Kubera), the revered one, and likewise the pure seven sages (Saptarṣis) (03-275-18).
King Daśaratha himself, in a brilliant, exceedingly precious chariot drawn by swans, having a divine shining form. (03-275-19)
Then the whole sky filled with gods and gandharvas shone magnificently, adorned with stars, like the autumn sky. (03-275-20)
Then the illustrious Vaidehī, having risen in their midst, the auspicious one, spoke words to Rāma of the broad chest. (03-275-21)
Prince, I am not angry with you; indeed, I know the ways of women and men; listen now to this my speech. (03-275-22)
Mātariśvan (the wind), who always moves within beings, may he release my vital breaths if I commit sin. (03-275-23)
If I am committing a sin, may the fire, waters, ether, earth, and wind indeed set my life-breaths free. (03-275-24)
Then, in the sky, a voice arose, resounding in all directions, auspicious and causing delight to those great-souled vānaras. (03-275-25)
Vāyu said.
O Rāghava, O King, truly I am Vāyu, the ever-moving wind-god. Maithilī is sinless; proceed with your wife. (03-275-26)
Agni said.
O Raghunandana, I dwell within the bodies of beings. O Kakutstha, Maithilī does not commit even the slightest offense. (03-275-27)
Varuṇa said.
"The essence, indeed, which is born from me exists in the bodies of beings, O Rāghava. I truly declare to you: let Maithilī (Sītā) be accepted (back by you)." (03-275-28)
Brahmā said.
Son, this is not a wonder in you, royal sage who abides in dharma. O virtuous one of good conduct on the path, listen to these words of mine. (03-275-29)
O hero, this enemy, enjoyed by the gods and gandharvas, and belonging to the yakṣas, dānavas, and great sages, has been felled by you. (03-275-30)
He became inviolable to all beings by my favor in former times. For some particular reason, the sinner was neglected for a certain period. (03-275-31)
For the purpose of his own destruction, Sita was abducted by that evil-minded one. By the curse of Nalakubara, I myself provided her protection. (03-275-32)
It was once said that if a man, not loving, approaches even another woman, surely his body would break into a hundred pieces; such a fate befell him in ancient times. (03-275-33)
You should have no doubt here; please accept this, O greatly radiant one. You have accomplished a great deed for the gods, O light of the immortals. (03-275-34)
Daśaratha said.
I am pleased, my child. May welfare be yours; I am your father, Daśaratha. I permit you to rule the kingdom, O best of men. (03-275-35)
Rama said.
I bow to you, O lord of kings. If you are my father, then by your command I shall go to the beautiful city of Ayodhya. (03-275-36)
Markandeya said.
The joyful king, his father, again said to him: "Go to Ayodhyā and rule, O red-eyed Rāma." (03-275-37)
Then, having offered obeisance to the gods and welcomed by his friends, he approached his wife like Mahendra (Indra) is approached by Paulomī. (03-275-38)
Then the destroyer of enemies granted a boon to Avindhya, and joined the rākṣasī Trijaṭā with the honored women. (03-275-39)
Then Brahma, surrounded by the gods with Indra at their head, said to him: "Which boons of Kausalya's son shall I give to you today?" (03-275-40)
Rāma chose to remain in righteousness, to be undefeated by his enemies, and for the rebirth of the vānaras who were slain by the rākṣasas. (03-275-41)
Then, O great king, when Brahma had spoken, at his words, the monkeys, having regained consciousness, arose together. (03-275-42)
Sita, the highly fortunate, also gave a boon to Hanuman: 'By Rama’s fame, a son’s life equal to yours shall be.' (03-275-43)
Hari-eyed (Rāma) indeed said: "Divine enjoyments, produced by my grace, will always attend you, Hanuman." (03-275-44)
Then, as they were observing those of unwearied action, all the gods led by Śakra (Indra) disappeared. (03-275-45)
Seeing Rāma together with Jānakī, the charioteer of Indra, greatly delighted, spoke these words among friends. (03-275-46)
O truly valiant one, you have removed this suffering from the gods, gandharvas, yakṣas, men, asuras, and all enjoyers. (03-275-47)
As long as the earth endures, the worlds—gods, asuras, gandharvas, yakṣas, rākṣasas, and serpents—will tell of you. (03-275-48)
Having thus spoken and taken leave of Rāma, the foremost of warriors, and having honoured him, he departed in that chariot shining with the radiance of the sun. (03-275-49)
Then, having Sītā in front, Rama, along with Lakṣmaṇa, accompanied by Sugrīva and the leading chiefs, together with all the monkeys. (03-275-50)
After arranging for the protection of Laṅkā, and with Vibhīṣaṇa at the forefront, he once again crossed the ocean (the abode of crocodiles) by means of that bridge. (03-275-51)
Master Vaśī, resplendent and riding in the Puṣpaka—the sky-roaming aerial vehicle, moving at will—was surrounded by his chief ministers, just as (one is) attended by the foremost ministers. (03-275-52)
Then, on the ocean's bank where the king had lain, the righteous one stayed there with all the monkeys. (03-275-53)
Then Rāghava gathered them at the proper time, honored them, and sent them away, having fully satisfied them with jewels. (03-275-54)
When the monkey chiefs, those with cow-like tails, had departed, Rāma, together with Sugrīva, returned again to Kiṣkindhā. (03-275-55)
Then, accompanied by Sugrīva and followed by Vibhīṣaṇa, he showed the forest to Vaidehī while traveling in the Puṣpaka aerial chariot. (03-275-56)
After reaching Kiṣkindhā, Rāma, the best among warriors, anointed Aṅgada, who had accomplished his task, to the office of crown-prince. (03-275-57)
Then Rāma, accompanied by Saumitri and those others, went along the way by which he had come, towards his own city. (03-275-58)
Having reached Ayodhyā, the lord of the kingdom then dispatched Hanumān as a messenger to Bharata. (03-275-59)
After observing all the gestures and making known all that was dear to him, when Hanuman returned, he proceeded to Nandigrama. (03-275-60)
There he saw Bharata, whose limbs were covered with dirt and who wore bark garments, seated on a seat with the sandals placed in front. (03-275-61)
O bull among the Bharatas, having met with Bharata and Śatrughna, the mighty Rāghava (Rāma) along with Saumitri (Lakṣmaṇa) rejoiced. (03-275-62)
Thus, Bharata and Śatrughna, together with their teacher at that time, both experienced great joy upon seeing Vaidehī (Sītā). (03-275-63)
To him, Bharata handed back the kingdom, with due honor, handing over the entrusted rule, being devoted and with supreme joy. (03-275-64)
Then, on the chosen auspicious day under the heroic Vaiṣṇava constellation, Vasiṣṭha and Vāmadeva together anointed him. (03-275-65)
He, having been anointed, sent off Sugrīva, the foremost of monkeys, along with his friends, and Vibhīṣaṇa, the son of Pulastya, back to their homes. (03-275-66)
He worshipped with various gems, showing affection and joy, arranged what needed to be done, and with grief, he dismissed (them). (03-275-67)
Having worshipped the Puṣpaka aerial chariot, Rāghava, with affection, gave it to Vaiśravaṇa. (03-275-68)
Then, together with the divine sage, he performed ten unrestrained aśvamedha sacrifices along the Gomati river, with the Jārūthyas. (03-275-69)
