Hari Om.
Let us begin the one hundred and fourteenth sarga of the yuddha kAnDam by offering our prostrations at the lotus feet of SrIrAma and our sathguru.
As the work of the gods was accomplished by rAma in uprooting rAvaNa along with his kin and bringing dharma to lanka, the reunion of sItA and rAma that everyone was waiting for took a turn unexpected by most and even questioned some. That was rAma’s refusal to accept sItA on account of her stay in another abode for a prolonged period of time. He was paraphrasing the accusation that would come on her, him and his rule in future times if he was not careful now. Hence in spite of it being very painful he raised the topic with sItA. She on her part, didn’t sulk for being publicly asked this question and demonstrating outstanding loyalty and clarity she opted for the fire god, agni to protect her if she was above board and entered into the fire daringly. Sure enough, the gods rushed to remind rAma about the whole episode and the plan that went behind it. They reminded him about his reality of being vishNu and sItA being lakshmI. Even as they eulogized rAma thus, agni emerged from along with sItA and commanded rAma to accept her since she was blemish-less in thought, word and deed. At last, rAma was moved into happy tears that his beloved has been cleared in full public view and that aspersions won’t be cast at her in future on account of her stay in lanka away from rAma. He clarified to the gods that it was done purely to clear her of any stigma and that she was as inseparable from him as sun rays were from the sun. The grand reunion had happened. Onwards…
Responding to the sacred words of rAma with which he accepted vaidEhI, the lord mahESwara (Siva) spoke in an equally sacred manner and said –
“O long armed, lotus eyed, broad-chested rAma, fortunately you have accomplished this great mission. You’re the best among the weapon-wielders and by slaying rAvaNa in the battle you have wiped out the fear caused by him and lifted the veil of darkness that hung over the worlds. Now you should go back to ayOdhyA and reassure the miserable bharata. Meet with your illustrious mother kausalyA, sumitrA and kaikEyI and securing the kingdom of ayOdhyA, rejoice with your well wishers. O mighty one, propagate the ikshvAku clan and performing many aSwamEdha yajnas cover yourself with glory. Perform plenty of charity to the brAhmins and then ascend to the heavens at the end.
O rAma, here is the very illustrious daSaratha on this aerial car, your earthly father. You have helped him to cross over to the indra lOka and assume great fame. You and lakshmaNa should pay your respects to him”.
As per the command of lord mahAdEva, rAma and lakshmaNa bowed to their father daSaratha who was on the aerial car. The king seated on a majestic throne was overjoyed to see his son who was dearer than his own life to him. He warmly embraced him, seated him on his lap and said –
“O rAma, let me tell you the truth – without you, neither the heavens nor the laurels accorded to me by the gods and the Rshis mean much to me. Today when I see you have vanquished the foe and accomplished your mission, I am very satisfied. The boons asked by kaikEyI were haunting me and troubling my heart but today when I see you hale and hearty along with lakshmaNa I am relieved of my grief like the sun emerges from the veil of fog. I have been redeemed by you, O son, much like the brAhmin was redeemed by his son ashTavakra. O gentle rAma, the best among men, now it has dawned on me that it has been ordained so by the gods for vanquishing rAvaNa. kausalyA is indeed blessed that she will behold you when you go home from the exile and she will be ecstatic. And blessed indeed rAma are all those people who will behold your crowning as the king, O rAma.
O rAma, having completed your fourteen years of exile along with sItA and lakshmaNa, now it is my wish that you should go and unite with the mighty, devoted, dhArmic and strong-vowed bharata. You have successfully accomplished your vow of the exile, slayed rAvaNa and pleased the gods and earned great repute and fame. Now you should secure the kingdom and live long ruling over it along with your brothers”.
As the king spoke so, rAma folded his hands and requested him –
“O knower of dharma, I seek a favour from you. You had cursed kaikEyI and bharata that you are abjuring them. Kindly renege that curse and ensure they are not affected by it, O lord”.
The king granted the wish of rAma who stood with folded hands and then addressing lakshmaNa said –
“O son, by serving rAma and vaidEhi in a devoted manner you have pleased me a lot and secured plenty of merit. O diligent one, you shall secure great merit by serving rAma and by pleasing him you shall secure the heavens and glory. O darling son of sumitrA, enhancer of her joy, be the servitor of rAma who is ever engaged in the welfare of all the worlds. These gods led by indra, the accomplished mahaRshis and sidhhas realize this rAma as the absolute and immutable brahman as described by the upanishads in their hearts and know that he has assumed the human form as the best among men. You have secured enormous glory by serving rAma and sItA”.
Acclaiming lakshmaNa who stood with folded hands, the king then turned to sItA and celebrated her achievements and said –
“O vaidEhI please do not nurse any anger against rAma, give it up if you have any, rAma is your well wisher and did so to prove your greatness to the world. O sItA your conduct is spotless and extremely difficult to possess. If other women follow your example, great fame shall dawn upon them. Of course, no one needs to preach about serving your husband, however I ought to say this to you that he is verily your lord”.
Having spoken thus graciously and offering his benediction to his sons and the daughter-in-law, king daSaratha went back to the indralOka in his flaming golden chariot.
Here we conclude the one hundred and fourteenth sarga of the yuddha kAnDam of SrImath vAlmiKi rAmAyaNam and humbly offer it at the lotus feet of SrIrAma. Hari: Om!
jAi SrIrAma.
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Next: 6.120. They earn his gratitude and their life
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rAmabhaktisAmrAjyam 
