The Departure of Shri Ram

After this Ram ruled for many years. He performed many sacrifices, and at each the same golden image of Sita sat beside him. In time the queens Kaushalya, Sumitra and Kaikeyi passed away one after another. Bharata's sons founded the cities of Takshashila and Pushkalavati near the Sindhu, and Lakshmana's sons were given kingdoms of their own.

Time arrives

One day an ascetic came to the palace gate. He said to Lakshmana, "I am the messenger of a great sage. I must see Ram."

Ram received him with honour. The ascetic said, "What I have to say is for your ears alone. Whoever comes in while we are speaking, or overhears us, you must put to death." Ram gave his word and said to Lakshmana, "Send the doorkeeper away. Stand at the door yourself."

Inside, the ascetic revealed himself. "I am Kala, Time. Brahma has sent me. His message is this: you took a human body to destroy Ravana, and said you would stay on earth for so many years. That time is complete. If you wish to stay longer, stay. If you wish to return to your own world, the gods are waiting for you."

Ram smiled. "It was for this that I came. My work is done. I will return."

Durvasa

At that very moment the sage Durvasa, famous for his temper, arrived at the door. "Lakshmana, I must see Ram at once."

Lakshmana folded his hands. "Sage, he is occupied. Please wait a little."

Durvasa's eyes blazed. "Go in this instant and announce me, or I will curse you, Ram, Bharata, this city and the whole kingdom."

Lakshmana thought for a moment. "If I go in, I die. If I do not, all perish. Better that I alone should die than that all be destroyed." He went in.

Ram took leave of Time, came out and received Durvasa. The sage wanted only food; his fast of a thousand years had ended that day. He ate and went away.

Lakshmana

Ram sat with his head bowed. He remembered his promise, and could not speak.

Lakshmana said with a cheerful face, "Brother, do not grieve for me. All this is the working of Time. Keep your promise. One who breaks his word goes to hell. If you love me, punish me, for the sake of dharma."

Ram called his ministers and his guru. Vasishtha said, "Ram, do not break your word. If the word is broken, dharma is broken, and if dharma is broken the three worlds perish. For a good man, to be abandoned and to be killed are the same. Abandon Lakshmana."

Before the full assembly Ram said, "Lakshmana, I abandon you."

Tears came to Lakshmana's eyes. He did not even go to his own house. He went straight to the bank of the Saryu, sipped water, folded his hands and held his breath. Indra carried him bodily to heaven.

The brother who had kept watch for fourteen years kept the last watch too, and at that same door.

The resolve

Ram said, "Without Lakshmana I cannot live a moment. Today I will crown Bharata and go to the forest."

Bharata shook his head. "I swear by truth: without you I want neither kingdom nor heaven. Crown Kush and Luv." The people fell to the ground. "Where you go, we go. Let us follow you with our wives and children." Ram said, "So be it."

He gave Kush the kingdom of Kosala, with its capital at Kushavati, and Luv the kingdom of Uttara Kosala, with its capital at Shravasti. He took both on his lap, embraced them and sent them off. Shatrughna came hurrying from Mathura. "Do not go without me."

Sugriva came with the vanaras and Vibhishana with the rakshasas. Ram said to Vibhishana, "As long as there are people to govern, rule Lanka." He asked Jambavan too to remain.

Then he turned to Hanuman. "You have resolved to live. Do not break your vow. As long as my story remains in the world, move about in joy." Hanuman bowed his head. "As long as your holy story lasts, I will stay on earth, obeying your command."

The Saryu

The next morning Ram put on fine cloth and took kusha grass in his hand. He left his house without speaking, as the sun goes towards its setting. On his right was Lakshmi and on his left the goddess Earth. Behind him walked Bharata and Shatrughna, then the ministers, then all Ayodhya: women, children, the old, even animals and birds. The vanaras and bears were with them. Valmiki says that no creature that breathed stayed behind in the city, and that none was sad. All walked as if to a festival.

After half a yojana they reached the ghat on the Saryu that is today called Guptar Ghat. Brahma stood in the sky with the gods. He said, "Vishnu, come. With your brothers, enter your own form."

Ram set his foot in the water of the Saryu. With his brothers he entered the radiance of Vishnu. Those who had followed him also plunged into that water, and at Ram's word all were given the world where there is no sorrow.

The story remains

Ayodhya was left empty. The old accounts say that Kush later came back and peopled the city again.

Ram departed, but one promise stayed on the earth. Brahma had told Valmiki that as long as mountains stand and rivers flow, the story of Ram will be told among people. And Ram had told Hanuman that as long as the story remains, he will remain.

So whenever this story is told, as it has just been told, it is believed that among the listeners sits one more, with folded hands.

Here the Ramayana ends. Jai Siya Ram.