April 9 - Sarga 109 of Uttara Kanda.
Next morning, after performing prayers conducted by Sage Vasishtha, Sri Rama proceeds to the Sarayu, accompanied by all, on the journey to his eternal abode.
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The next morning, Sri Rama requests his preceptor, Sage Vasishtha, that for his great journey, the agnihotra altar fire be carried by brahmins in the front; the Vajapeya yajna umbrella also be carried. The sage arranges for them accordingly. Sri Rama performs all his prayers.
Sri Rama, dressed in a fine garment, holds the auspicious darbha grass in either hand, and reciting the Brahmic Veda chants himself, proceeds majestically towards the bank of the Sarayu. He walks without looking at anyone or speaking anything other than continuously uttering the Vedic chant. He looks totally serene and without any discomfort.
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Valmiki says that Sri Rama was making this final journey as a part of his fulfilling the vow for the benefit of all creation, and looked like the full moon as he walked out of the palace.
On his right was seen Devi Lakshmi, holding lotuses in her hands. On his left was Bhudevi, Mother Earth herself. Both are consorts of Mahavishnu. Ahead of Sri Rama walked Mahavishnu's shakti.
All the divine weapons that Sri Rama wielded had assumed human forms and were accompanying him.
The four Vedas, the goddess Gayatri, Omkara, and Vashatkara, were all accompanying Sri Rama.
Great sages, kings, old and young, men and women, the female members of the royal palace, Bharata and Shatrughna with their womenfolk, brahmins carrying the agnihotra fire, all followed Sri Rama. Ministers, servants- everyone accompanied by their own kith and kin, followed Sri Rama.
Men and women, animals and birds, all accompanying Sri Rama looked hale, hearty, and without the least anxiety.
The large vanara and bear armies followed. They had bathed in the Sarayu and were making their typical high pitched noises as they walked.
Everyone's mind was fully immersed only in Sri Rama. Valmiki says that some who had come to be mere onlookers in Sri Rama's final journey simply joined in the march. Many spirits hovering around also joined in.
यानि पश्यन्ति काकुत्स्थं स्थावराणि चराणि च।
सर्वाणि रामगमने ह्यनुजग्मुर्हि तान्यपि ॥
All creatures, all life forms like trees and plants, whoever was present in Sri Rama's final journey to heaven simply joined him.
Since all life had accompanied Sri Rama, no life form could be seen in Ayodhya anymore.
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॥ श्रीरामजयम् ॥
