42. The Reunion of Hearts: Hanuman’s Return to Ayodhya
On their way back to Ayodhya, Rama and his party met Anjana, Hanuman’s mother, who lived on Mount Gandhamadan. Hanuman stayed behind with his mother while the others continued their journey to Ayodhya.
“Mother Sita! It is your grace that saved us. I had the divine privilege to behold the presence of Rama and yourself inside Hanuman’s heart; that has been an unforgettable experience,” said Yasodhara.
“Indeed, mother, it was a wonderful sight,” agreed the little prince Chandragada and the princess Chandramukhi. Sita looked at the children with deep affection in her eyes. Yasodhara remarked, “O Sita, I have an impression that very soon you will be a mother.”
Thus, they continued to exchange many happy and sweet observations until they arrived in Ayodhya. Even thereafter, King Yayati and Queen Yasodhara, along with their two children, remained there for several days, enjoying Rama’s hospitality. Sita loved watching the two children play.
A Happy Departure
After spending a joyful period in Ayodhya, Yayati and his family left for their home.
One evening, Rama and Sita sat in the royal garden, enjoying a glorious moonrise.
“It is a magnificent Chandra (moon) rising in the east,” observed Rama.
“Equally magnificent is the Chandra, Ramachandra, who has arisen from Mother Kausalya,” remarked Sita.
“A new moonrise is about to take place. This time, the eastern horizon is Sita,” said Rama.
“But the new Chandra will be like the magnificent one already there, who is Ramachandra,” said Sita.
“No, the new moon will be like Sita,” Rama countered. Both laughed, admiring two lilies swaying in the pond, before retiring for the night.
Hanuman’s Meditation
Sita visited the garden again at night to admire the two flowers in the moonlight; they glittered like stars, captivating her attention.
Meanwhile, Hanuman sat engrossed in meditation on Mount Gandhamadan, unaware of the fast passage of time. One day, an old friend of his named Bhadra came from Ayodhya to meet him.
“Hanuman! Rama desires your presence in Ayodhya,” he said, looking sad.
“I fear you bear some ominous news. Come on, dear friend, speak freely,” pleaded Hanuman.
The Ominous News
“Well, Hanuman, whatever ominous events were to happen have come to pass,” said Bhadra with a sigh, proceeding to recount what had transpired:
One day, a delegation of Brahmins met Rama and informed him that it was forbidden for anyone who had not undergone a regular initiation to read and interpret the Vedas. Yet, a man named Shambhuka had violated this rule. Misusing the scriptures, he had polluted the purity of the atmosphere, resulting in the untimely death of a Brahmin’s child. Such a tragedy demanded that Shambhuka be punished with death.
The misuse of the Vedas was among the gravest of sins, and a Brahmin’s wife, while dying, cried out, “O King, some grave crisis is about to visit you. What you have just done signifies that.”
The King’s Disguise
A few days later, Rama and Bhadra, in disguise, roamed the kingdom to gain firsthand knowledge of the people’s condition. They came across a highly agitated couple in a village on the outskirts of the city. The woman had returned home after several days, only to be refused acceptance by her husband, who had even beaten her.
“What, King Rama had no hesitation in accepting his wife who lived for several days in the castle of demons! But you cast aspersions on my conduct! You believe yourself wiser than Rama?” protested the woman.
“Rama, being king, thought he could do as he pleased, but I am not mad like him!” retorted the drunken man.
Returning to his palace, Rama was grave and saddened. He summoned Lakshmana and instructed him to lead Sita into the forest and return without her. The reluctant Lakshmana was obliged to obey his brother’s command. Sita, who was then pregnant, had expressed a wish to spend some time with the wives of the sages living in the forest. Thus, Lakshmana, under the pretext of fulfilling her wish, drove her into the forest in a chariot and returned alone.
Sita’s Desperation
After Sita was abandoned in the forest, Rama could hardly sleep or eat, growing weaker by the day.
Bhadra felt extremely distressed by Rama’s plight. He was seized by a strong desire to punish the man whose foolish comments had led to this sad state of affairs. He marched to the village, but upon reaching, he learned that the villagers, angered by the disruptive couple’s remarks about Rama and Sita, were prepared to punish them, though the couple had already fled.
When Sita realized she had been deserted, she decided to end her life by jumping into a river from a rock. However, fate intervened as Valmiki, the great sage, happened to see her in time. He persuaded her to refrain from her act and led her to his ashram.
The Birth of Lava and Kusha
In the serene atmosphere of Valmiki’s ashram, Sita gave birth to twin sons, whom Valmiki named Lava and Kusha. The great sage took it upon himself to instruct the boys, who learned the verses of the Ramayana with great feeling, and from their mother, they acquired the art of warfare, particularly archery.
One day, while singing verses from the Ramayana, the two boys ventured towards Ayodhya, curious to see Rama, the hero of their tales, unaware that the Sita of the Ramayana was their mother.
The Yajna and Unexpected Visitors
To divert Rama’s mind from his sorrows, his well-wishers, including Vasishta, organized the Ashwamedha Yajna. Since the queen was required to be by the king’s side during the ceremony, they commissioned an image of Sita made of gold to be placed beside Rama.
As the Yajna was to commence, Lava and Kusha entered Ayodhya singing. Observing them first, Lakshmana was charmed. Bestowing great affection upon the boys, he led them into the palace.
When the boys sang about Sita entering the fire to prove her purity after being rescued from Ravana’s fort, tears flowed from the eyes of the listeners, including the women of the palace. Everyone bowed their heads before the golden image of Sita. Rama, seeing the boys as children of sages, embraced them and lavished gifts upon them before they departed.
Consequence of the Yajna
After the preliminary phase of the Yajna, the horse chosen for the occasion was released, carrying the standard of the Solar Dynasty of Raghu, symbolizing the sun. Detaining that horse would signify a challenge to Rama’s supremacy, which no hero or king would dare undertake.
However, when the horse entered the forest, Lava and Kusha captured it. Lakshmana, Bharata, and Shatrughna, who were escorting the horse, attempted to resist but succumbed to the arrows of the two young boys.
The news startled Rama, who hurried to the scene and challenged the boys to a fight. Remembering their mother, the twins unleashed their arrows at Rama, instantly causing him to swoon.
A Reunion
Sita rushed to the scene and revived Rama. It was then that Rama recognized who the two boys were. His joy knew no bounds, and he rejoiced equally at reuniting with Sita. Valmiki advised Rama to take Sita back to the palace, and Rama agreed, but he proposed that Sita prove her purity once again before the people of Ayodhya.
Eventually, Sita arrived at Rama’s court with her two sons. She asked Rama to take charge of the boys and then, unexpectedly, exclaimed, “Let the Mother Earth divide and receive me. That is how I wish to prove my purity!” Suddenly, the earth shook, and the sky darkened. The people of Ayodhya rushed forth, hands folded in reverence. The ground beneath Sita cracked, and out emerged Bhudevi—the incarnation of Mother Earth—along with the serpent-damsels. Like a mother embracing her child, the goddess took Sita into her arms and, before anyone could stop them, they vanished into the earth. There was no trace of the crack left behind.
Final Farewell
All stood stunned. Rama drew his bow and aimed an arrow at the earth, seeking to penetrate it, but a divine voice forbade him. Stunned, he became like a statue, findiNg it difficult to concentrate on his royal duties thereafter. He instructed Lava and Kusha to function as crown princes, withdrawing from all activities.
Bhadra, after narrating all this to Hanuman, added, “The horse meant for the Yajna is still wandering, being pursued by Lakshmana, Bharata, Shatrughna, and an army.” Hanuman sat speechless, tears rolling down his cheeks. Suddenly, he stood up and said, “I must urgently proceed to meet Rama!” With his mace resting on his shoulder, he prepared to set forth.