Raam Calls Seetaa to Prove Herself
When Luv Kush recited Ramayana for several says. After the six Kaand, Raam came to know that they were Seetaa's sons, He sent two messengers to Vaalmeeeki's Aashram with the message that if Seetaa is pure and clean, then She should come and convince Ayodhyaa's public.
Maharshi said to the messenger - "Raajaa's orders will be obeyed. Husband is the highest for a woman so She will surely obey this."
Vaalmeeki Presents Seetaa as Sinless
First thing in the morning, Raam called all Muni Gan and kings in royal court. Vashishth, Jaabaali, Kashyap, Vaamdev, Vishwaamitra, Deerghtamaa, Durvaasaa, Pulastya, Garg, Chyavan, Shataanand, Shakti, Bhaargav, Vaaman, Maarkandeya, Vaaman, Modgalya, Suprabh, Naarad, Parvat, Gautam etc many great Rishi came and sat on their Aasan. The whole public was very anxious to listen to Seetaa's vow.
At that time Vaalmeeki Jee came with Seetaa and said to Raam - "Your wife bears good character and always meditates you. Both these boys are the sons of Seetaa. I do not tell lies. This is the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. These children are yours. I brought Her in my Aashram considering Her good character. She is innocent & sinless. I have known from Yog power that although you know that She is sinless, still you left Her because of the fear of the public."
Seetaa Proves Herself Again
Raam said to Maharshi - "After hearing from you, now I do not have any doubt in Her purity and cleanliness. Seetaa has already passed the fire test in the presence of Devtaa in Lankaa. We brought Her to Ayodhyaa only after that test. But I had to leave Her because of public talks. Lav and Kush are our sons, I know that. I believe that I will love Her as before."
At the same time Seetaa came in colored clothes and stood joining Her palms together. She said - "If I have even thought about any other man except Raam then this earth should split and I fall into it. If I am pure and Pativrataa then Maa Prithvi should take me in her lap."
At the same time Prithvi split and a throne came out of it. Devee Prithvi was sitting on that throne. Devee lifted Seetaa with her both hands and the throne went to Rasaatal. Devtaa showered flowers. All public stood without even blinking their eyes in the Yagyashaalaa.
Brahmaa Jee Consoles Raam
Raam got very sad at disappearing of Seetaa in Rasaatal. He started weeping, then said angrily - "Seetaa got disappeared in front of me? If we brought Her after killing Raavan, then I can bring Her back from Rasaatal also. Hey Prithvi, Seetaa took birth from you at the time when Raajaa Janak was tilling his land. Thus you are my mother-in-law. You return my Seetaa back, otherwise you take me also there. Wherever Seetaa will live, I will also live at the same place. If you will not return my Seetaa as She was, then I will destroy you."
Seeing Raam so much grieved, Brahmaa Jee said - "Hey Raam, You are the incarnation of Vishnu. Brahmaa Jee went away after telling this to Raam.
Raam said to Vaalmeeki Jee - "Hey Tapaswee, All Rishi Gan are curious to listen to my future. Therefore the remaining part should be recited tomorrow." Lav and Kush also went to their hut built from leaves.
Remaining Raamaayan
Next day Raam called all Muni and kings and told His sons to recite the remaining part. Lav and Kush started reciting. After Seetaa had left for Rasaatal, Raam completed His Yagya with great difficulty. He sent off all Vaanar, Raakshas and kings and came back to Ayodhyaa. He was extremely sad in Ayodhyaa. He did not remarry so in every Yagya He used to keep a gold statue of Seetaa beside Him.
Raam ruled for 10,000 years according to religious rules. After long time Kaushalyaa died, after her Sumitraa and Kaikeyee also died. Raam donated to a lots of Tapaswee and did Yagya to satisfy Pitar.
Bharat Goes to Win Gandharv
After some time, Yudhaajit, the King of Kaikaya Desh, sent Garg Muni to Raam with some gifts for Him - 10,000 horses, blankets, many gems and jewelry. Raam got very happy to hear the coming of Angiraa Rishi's son Garg Muni. He took Maamaa's gifts from him and asked the reason of his coming and if there was any message from Maamaa Yudhaajit.
Maharshi Garg said - "Listen to the message which Yudhaajit has sent to you. On the banks of Sindhu River, the son of Gandharv Raaj Shailoosh rules with 30 million (3 Crores) Gandharv. This country is very beautiful. You win that country and expand your kingdom." Hearing this Raam looked at Bharat and said - "Hey Maharshi, Bharat's two sons - Taksh and Pushkal along with Bharat will go there, kill those Gandharv and win their kingdom. And Bharat will habitat two cities. After handing over them to his sons he will come back." So Bharat Jee went there with Garg Muni and his sons and a huge army.
Bharat's Children Get Kingdom
Yudhaajit got very happy to see Bharat coming with a huge army. He took his own army also and both armies surrounded Gandharv. The battle continued for 7 days but nobody won. Then Bharat used Samvart named Kaalaastra which killed 30 millions (3 Crores) Gandharv in a moment. Bharat habited two cities - Takshshilaa and Pushkalaavat, handed over to Taksh and Pushkal respectively. Bharat stayed there for five years to settle them, then he came back to Ayodhyaa and told everything to Raam.
Lakshman's Sons Also Get Kingdom
Raam got very happy to hear about Raajya Abhishek of Bharat's two sons. He said to Lakshman, I wish that your sons - Angad and Chandraketu should rule in such country where the public is always happy." Bharat said - "Kumaar Angad may rule on beautiful Kaarupath Desh and Chandraketu may rule on Chandrakaant. According to Bharat Raam won those countries and habited two cities and left Bharat to help Chandraketu, and Lakshman to help Angad in their ruling and came back to Ayodhyaa, Lakshman spent one year with Angad and came back to Ayodhyaa. Bharat also lived with Chandraketu for one year, then came back to Ayodhyaa. Thus 10,000 years passed ruling religiously.
Kaal Comes to Raam
One day Kaal came in the form of a Tapaswee at the door and said to Lakshman - "Atibal Muni has sent me to Raam for some necessary work." Lakshman informed Raam about his coming. Then he brought the Tapaswee inside. Raam asked his welfare and offered him gold Aasan. He said - "Hey Muni Dev, Please tell me the message of Maharshi Atibal." Muni said - "I am supposed to give you this message in a lonely place. Besides by the order of Muni you will have to promise me that whoever will see us talking or listen to our talks, you will kill him." Hearing this Raam asked Lakshman to remove the gatekeeper and stand as gatekeeper himself and said - "Whoever will hear our talks, he will surely be killed by me." Then Raam asked Muni to give Him the message.
Kaal Delivers the Message
"Hey Raajan, Pitaamaha Brahmaa Jee has sent me here. I am all-devouring Kaal. In a previous age you created me from your internal power, that is how I am your son. Brahmaa Jee has said - Whatever period was allocated to you for the protection of Prithvi, is now complete. In the beginning of Creation, you first created me sleeping in the Mahaa Samudra; then to Anant named Naag; and then produced two Madhu and Kaitabh named mighty Raakshas by Maayaa. Then you produced Kaal from your navel, then you produced me from it. You asked me to create universe, but you accepted the responsibility of sustaining the world at my request, and to protect the world you appeared in Vishnu form.
You protected all creatures by appearing as a mighty son from Aditi's womb. Seeing people in trouble by Raavan you decided to incarnate in Mrityu Lok for 10,000 years. Hey Bhagavan, now that period is also complete. Brahmaa Jee has sent me only to remind you. If you want to stay here for some more time to take care of public, you may stay back for some more time. And if you want to go to Dev Lok, then come to Dev Lok."
Lakshman's Kaal Comes
When Raam and Kaal were talking, Durvaasaa Muni came to Raam's palace and said to Lakshman - "I have come here to see Raam and I have a very important work. Take me to Him." Lakshman said - "Hey Bhagavan, Raam is busy at this moment, you may wait for some time." Durvaasaa said angrily - "Don't make me furious. Take me to Raam immediately, otherwise I will give Shaap to all - kingdom, city, Raam, Bharat, your children."
Lakshman thought as what to do now. He quickly decided that it was better to die instead of destruction of everything, so he went to inform Raam about Durvaasaa Muni's coming. Then Raam met Muni Durvaasaa after seeing off Kaal and said politely - "Hey Braahman, What can I do for you?" Durvaasaa Muni said - "Hey Raam, Today is the end of my 1,000 year fast, so satisfy me with food." Raam offered him food happily and saw him off. Then he became sad remembering His promise made to Kaal.
Lakshman's Swargaarohan
Seeing Raam sitting lowering His head, Lakshman said - "You shouldn't be sad for me. Kaal's behavior is very strange. You keep your Dharm and promise by killing me."
Raam said to Lakshman - "Hey Saumitra, To keep my Dharm, I leave you. Both leaving and to kill a good man are alike." Hearing Raam Lakshman started weeping. He came out immediately and went to Sarayoo River, instead of going to His own home. There He did Aachman and controlled His all Indriyaan. He stopped breathing. Devtaa showered flowers and Indra took Lakshman with His body to Swarg, but no human being could see it.
Raam Informs Everybody About His Going
After leaving Lakshman, Raam got very sad. He told His Purohit to make preparations for Bharat's coronation and He Himself decided to follow Lakshman. All courtiers got stunned hearing this. Bharat got unconscious. Later Bharat said - "I do not want kingdom without you, I tell you the truth. Lav and Kush are now capable to rule. Hand over Kaushal to Kush and Uttar Kaushal to Lav. And the send the message to Shatrughn of our going."
Vashishth Jee said - "Hey Raam, Look at your public and act according to their wish." Raam asked - "Tell me what to do ?" Public said - "Hey Raajaa, You don't leave us, take us with you. This is our wish that we, along with our family, live near you feet." So Raam gave Kaushal to Kush, and Uttar Kaushal to Lav. After the Abhishek, Raam made them sit in His lap, gave them a lots of wealth and sent them to their kingdoms with a lots of army. He sent a messenger to Shatrughn also.
Shatrughn Comes to Raam
Messengers arrived in Mathuraa Puree soon and told Shatrughn about all - leaving Lakshman, Raam's going to Swarg, Raam's sons Abhishek, going of public with Raam; and in the end asked him to come soon. Hearing this terrible story of destruction of family, Shatrughn called Kaanchan named Purohit and told everything to him. He told him about the leaving of his own body too. Then Shatrughn performed Abhishek of Subaahu for Mathuraa and Shatrughaatee for Vaidish; and divided the wealth and army between them. He came to Ayodhyaa with the same messengers.
When he came to Ayodhyaa, he saw Raam sitting wearing only minimum silken clothes. He said to Raam - "I have come here after performing the Abhishek of my sons and making up my mind to go with you. Please do not order me to do anything else, because I do not want to disobey you in any way." Seeing Shatrughn's firm intention and decision, Raam said - "All right, You also come with me." Then all Vaanar, bears, Raakshas came to see Raam - "We will also go with you otherwise we will be like dead here." Sugreev said - "Hey Raam, I have done Angad's Abhishek and I am also ready to go."
Raam accepted their offer and said to Vibheeshan - "Hey Mitra, You will live and rule Lankaa till this public, Prithvi and my stories will stay. You always worship Jagannaath Jee, Devtaa of Ikshwaaku Kul." Then He said to Hanumaan - "Hey Pavan-Putra, You may wander in this world obeying me till my stories are alive in this world." Then Raam said to Jaambvaan, Maind and Dwivid - "You should be alive till Kali comes." Then He said to others - "As you have said, you may come with me."
Everybody Goes With Raam
Next day morning Raam said to Vashishth Jee - "Three fires of my Agnihotra should go in front with Braahman, materials and Vaajpeya Chhatra (umbrella) . Then Purohit Vashishth Jee completed all rites of Raam'a Mahaa Prasthaan, then Raam started for the bank of the Sarayoo carrying Kush in hand, reading Ved. On His right side was Padm (lotus flower) and Shree (Lakshmee), on His left side was Prithvi, various arrows, bows, other weapons in human form. Ved Gaayatree, Omkaar, Yashtrakaar followed Raam in Braahman form. Animals, birds, children, old people, servants, women of palace, Bharat, Shatrughn, ministers, public, employees, Agnihotra also followed Raam. Everybody was happy, nobody was sad. Whoever came to see this procession, they also started following Him. Thus all followed Raam and nobody was seen in Ayodhyaa.
All Arrive in Their Respective Lok
When Raam arrived on the banks of westward Sarayoo, then Brahmaa Jee came with millions of Vimaan. Dev Gan started showering flowers. As Raam entered Sarayoo, Brahmaa Jee said from the sky - "Hey Vishnu, Please come to Dev Lok along with you brothers. You may enter in whichever form you prefer - Vaishnav, idol, or sky. You are immortal, nobody can know your Maayaa." Hearing these words of Brahmaa Jee Raam entered Vaishnav Lok with His brothers with their mortal body.
Rishi, Gandharv, Daitya, Daanav all prayed Vishnu-like Raam. Indra said - "We are blessed by your coming here." Then Vishnu said to Brahmaa Jee - "Please give them some living place to all of them who have come with me. They are all my Bhakt. They have come with me leaving their interest in their own lives because of their love to me."
Brahmaa Jee said - "Whoever living beings are born in Tiryak Yoni and meditate you, they go to Sanaatan Lok, thus they all will go to Sanaatan Lok. Vaanar and bear may take their Devtaa form, Sugreev will enter Soorya Mandal." Hearing Brahmaa Jee, the people who were standing on the Goprataar Ghaat of Sarayoo River, sat in the waters with tears flowing, left their bodies and boarded their Vimaan. All kinds of living being left their bodies in Sarayoo waters and went to Dev Lok. Brahmaa Jee went to HisLlok after sending all to Swarg Lok.
Importance of This Epic
This is Vaalmeeki written Raamaayan with Uttar Kaand. Brahmaa has also admired it. It describes only that Vishnu's character and life story who is Omnipresent, who has gone to Swarg Lok from Mrityu Lok. The great Rishi, Devtaa, Maharshi get peace after hearing or reading it. This epic increases age span, destroys sins, gets sons, get wealth. And whoever reads it daily he gets sons and grandsons in this Lok and goes to Swarg Lok after death. Whoever reads even one Shlok of this epic, he is freed from all kinds of sins. Whosoever reads it any time of the day - morning, afternoon, he does not fall ill. After Raam Ayodhyaa will be without human beings for many years. Then later Rishabh Naabh will habitat Ayodhyaa in his times.
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Courtesy: Uttar Kaand (Valmiki Ramayan)
