February 14 - Shlokas 23- 64 of sarga 127 of Yuddha Kanda.
While the oceanic gathering of Ayodhya-vasis is descending with much celebration and anticipation in Nandigram, presumably, Hanuman has quickly flown to Sri Rama, unnoticed by Bharata, and apprised him of Bharata's restless love and eager reception prepared for the hero on his return. And Hanuman is back with Bharata.
By now Bharata is unable to bear any more delay in Sri Rama's arrival. He asks Hanuman if this is not one of his monkey pranks, and if Hanuman has not told him the unlikely story of Sri Rama's impending return.
Hanuman replies, with all the astuteness that he is known for, in an affectionate tone, "Bharata, don't you remember that wonderful reception Sage Bharadwaja gave you and your huge army when you went looking for Sri Rama?"
"Sri Rama had received boons from Lord Indra himself that the vanaras would get enough forest fare to feed themselves heartily wherever they went."
सदाफलान् कुसुमितान् वृक्षान् प्राप्य मधुस्रवान् भरद्वाजप्रसादेन मत्तभ्रमरनादितान् ससैन्यस्य तदाथित्यं कृतं सर्वगुणान्वितम्
"Now Sage Bharadwaja has arranged for them to have a celebratory repast with all the trees enroute full of flowers, fruits, and honey, surrounded by buzzing bees, and that is the reason for their slow progress."
"Listen, Bharata, listen carefully! Hear the vanaras coming with their tumultuous noise! They have crossed Gomati already! Can you notice the huge cloud of dust raised by them over the yonder forest!? Look! Here arrives the divine vehicle Pushpaka, Sri Rama has been gifted this after his victory! It is ruddy like the morning sun and travels at the speed of thought. It was given as a boon by Brahma to Kubera before. Look carefully! You can see the two glorious brothers seated along with Devi Vaidehi! Also King Sugriva and King Vibhishana can be seen!"
***
Young and old, women and men, at once raised a big cry of astonishment and delight, beholding Sri Rama arriving in the aerial vehicle. This moment is incomparable in world literature as far as I know. Valmiki says their celebration rose up to heaven itself and found an echo there.
Everyone from Ayodhya alighted from their mounts and stood on the ground breathlessly, watching Sri Rama's arrival.
Bharata rushed towards Sri Rama with all the ceremonial articles of reception, bowing low.
Sri Rama looked like Lord Indra himself in that divine Pushpaka. Bharata thought Sri Rama looked like the sun rising on Mount Meru.
Sri Rama signalled to Pushpaka to land. Bharata prostrated himself in ecstasy. Sri Rama made Bharata climb up into the Vimana, and most dearly made him sit on his lap and embraced him tightly. Bharata then bowed down to Lakshmana and Devi Sita. He embraced Sugriva, Vibhishana, and all other vanara chiefs (Valmiki mentions each one.) They were all appearing as humans by their power of assuming any form they pleased. Enquiries of one another's welfare were made.
Bharata told Sugriva, त्वमस्माकं चतुर्णां वै भ्राता सुग्रीव पञ्चमः "Sugriva, you are the fifth brother of us four!"
He told Vibhishana, दिष्ट्या त्वया साहाय्येन कृतं कर्म सुदुष्करम् "Oh King, only by your help was an impossible mission accomplished!"
Shatrughna also bowed down to Sri Rama, Devi Sita, and Lakshmana.
Sri Rama now went to Devi Kausalya, who was shedding copious tears, and as he clasped her feet tightly, she felt a thrill of joy. He went and bowed low to Sumitra and Kaikeyi. Then he bowed to all other queens.
स्वागतं हे महाबाहो कौसल्यानन्दवर्धनः ।
इति प्राञ्जलयः सर्वे नागरा राममब्रुवन् ॥
"All the Ayodhya citizens bowed as one and proclaimed, "Dear Sri Rama, the mighty-armed one, the delighter of Devi Kausalya! Welcome! Glory to you!"
Bharata felt that the countless Ayodhyavasis prostrating themselves to Sri Rama looked like lotuses in full bloom filling up a huge lake!
Bharata now took the padukas, and wiping Sri Rama's feet, placed them on the padukas. He submitted,
एतत्ते सकलं राज्यं न्यासं निर्यातितं मया ।
अद्य जन्म कृतार्थं मे संवृत्तश्च मनोरथः ॥
यत्त्वां पश्यामि राजानामयोध्यां पुनरागतम् ।
अवेक्षतां भवान्कोशं कोष्टागारं गृहं बलम् ।
भवतस्तेजसा सर्वं कृतं दशगुणं मया ॥
"Dear Lord Sri Rama! I am now handing over the kingdom back to you, given to me in trusteeship thus far. I consider that my birth has been fulfilled and my deepest aspirations have been realized after seeing your lordship back in your own kingdom. Revered Lord, kindly assess the state of the nation, its economy, its military, and the wellbeing of its people. Ayodhya's prosperity has multiplied tenfold in the interim by the power of your glory!"
तथा ब्रुवाणं भरतं दृष्ट्वा तं भ्रात्रुवत्सलम् ।
मुमुचुर्वानरा बाष्पं राक्षसश्च विभीषणः ॥
"Witnessing the great Bharata's love for his elder brother and his devotion to duty, all the vanaras and King Vibhishana shed tears of joy and reverence for such a great soul."
Sri Rama now directed Pushpaka with words of gratitude that the Vimana shall now travel directly to Lord Kubera, its rightful original master, and report there. The Pushpaka Vimana immediately rose up into the sky and travelled majestically northward towards Kailasa.
Sri Rama now approached Sage Vasishtha, the Kulaguru and his first and foremost preceptor, bowed low to him, and made him take an exalted seat. He then also seated himself near him.
***
॥ श्रीरामजयम् ॥
