The episode of return of Rama to Ayodhya happens after the conquest of Lanka along with Lakshmana, Vibhishana, and Sugriva, Hanuman and the monkey and bear hosts. After Ravana was killed, Rama made Vibhishana the king of Lanka as promised earlier and Rama wished to denounce Sita since she lived for a long time in another person`s home. Hearing this, Sita entered inside a burning pyre but came out unhurt because of her purity and her faithfulness towards Rama. Thus, Rama accepted Sita and they took leave from Vibhishana, the king of Lanka, for Ayodhya. While Rama, Lakshmana and Sita started to leave for Ayodhya in the morning by taking the Pushpaka, which was given to him by Vibhishana, all of their followers urged to go with him to his kingdom. Rama granted their request and all went with him to Ayodhya.
Lord Rama Leaves Lanka
While Rama was ready to move out of Lanka with the Pushpaka, the self-moving car which was fairly painted with two stories and windows and flags and banners and many chambers and it gave forth a melodious sound as it coursed along the airy way, Vibhishana asked Rama if he could do any help to him. To this, Rama told to Vibhishana to give some jewels and wealth to the bears and monkeys so that they could return to their home and asked him to be a just ruler and a good collector of revenues. Vibhishana thus promised to abide by his instructions and gave wealth to all the monkey and bear hosts and Rama started to depart from Lanka. While he started to go, all cried out to Rama to go with him to Ayodhya. Thus, Rama accepted their request and Sugriva and Vibhishana and the entire host mounted the mighty car. The car rose up into the sky, drawn by golden geese, and sailed on its airy way, while the monkeys, bears, and rakshasas took their ease.
Sugriva and Tara Go to Ayodhya
While they passed by the city of Kishkindha, Sugriva`s capital, Sita urged Rama to take with them to Ayodhya Tara, the wife of Sugriva, and the wives of other monkey-chiefs. Thus Rama halted the Pushpaka while Sugriva brought Tara and the wives of other monkeys. And they mounted and set forth towards Ayodhya. They passed across Chitrakuta and Jamna and the Ganges where it divides in three, and at last the kingdom of Ayodhya was visible. All the bears and monkeys and Vibhishana rose up in delight to see the kingdom of Rama, shining fair as Amaravati, the capital of Indra.
Rama Meets Bharadwaja On His Way To Ayodhya
On the fifth day after the end of fourteen years of exile when Rama greeted the hermit Bharadwaja, and got to know from him that Bharata awaited his return, leading the life of a hermit and honouring the sandals. Bharadwaja gave Rama a boon, that the trees along the road to Ayodhya should bear fruits and flowers as he went, even though out of season. It thus happened that for three leagues, from the hermitage of Bharadwaja to the gate of Ayodhya, the trees bore flowers and fruits, and the monkeys thought themselves in heaven. Hanuman was sent in advance to bring back tidings from Ayodhya and Bharata, and speedily he went, in human form. He came to Bharata in his hermitage garbed as a yogi, thin and worn, but radiant as a mighty sage, and ruling the earth as viceroy of the sandals. Then Hanuman related to him all that had befallen Rama since the brothers parted in Chitrakuta, and Bharata`s heart was filled with gladness, and he immediately ordered to prepare the city and to worship all the gods with music and flowers, and urged all the people of Ayodhya to come forth in order to welcome Rama.
The preparation in Ayodhya to welcome Rama started immediately and the roads were watered and the flags hoisted, and the city was filled with the sound of cavalry and cars and elephants. Then Rama came, and Bharata worshipped him and bathed his feet and humbly greeted him. Then Rama lifted him up and took him in his arms. Then Bharata bowed to Sita, and welcomed Lakshmana, and embraced the monkey-chiefs, naming Sugriva their fifth brother and he praised Vibhishana. Then Rama came to his mother and humbly touched her feet, and he made salutation to the priests. After that, Bharata brought the sandals and laid them at the feet of Rama, and with folded hands he presented the kingdom to his brother and requested him to take care of the wealth of treasure, palace, and the army. Then placing his brother on his lap, Rama moved towards the hermitage of Bharata, and there descending, Rama told to the Pushpaka to return to Vaishravan, since the self-coursing car was taken by Ravana from his elder brother; but then at the words of Rama it returned to the God of Wealth.
