Rāma Mahāprasthāna (Tulasī Rāmāyaṇa)
The mahāprasthāna (the great final departure) of Bhagavān Rāma and all the people of Sāketa to Vaikuṇṭha is the last great event of the Tulasī Rāmāyaṇa. It comes at the end of the Lava Kuśa Kāṇḍa.
After Lakshmaṇa leaves, Rāma grieves for a short time and then moves quickly to finish his work on earth. He gives his kingdom to his sons, blesses Vibhīshaṇa and Jāmbavān, and gives Hanumān a vara (boon) of life without end. All of Ayodhyā then walks with him to the Sarayū.
Rāma’s grief and the summons of the princes
After Lakshmaṇa’s departure, Rāma was for a time beyond comfort. He went to Bharata and said: “Saumitrī has left me, without pity and without me. I cannot bear even a moment without him. I am going to follow him. Bharata, call the sons at once.”
Śatrughna heard the news and had already gone beyond speech. His body and mind were completely still.
Distribution of the kingdom
Rāma then set all his affairs in order, with the clear mind of a king. He called the princes together and gave these charges:
- Kuśa was made king of Dakshiṇa Kosala (southern Kosala, centred on Ayodhyā).
- Lava was made king of Lava-pura (northern Kosala, later known as Śrāvastī or Lava-pura).
- Bharata’s sons: Taksha received Takshaśilā (modern Taxila), and Pushkala received Pushkara-nagara.
- Lakshmaṇa’s sons: Citrāketu and Citrāṅgada received Dakshiṇa-rājya (the southern kingdom).
- Śatrughna’s sons: Subāhu received Mathurā-purī, and Yūpaketu received Vidīśā (also called Viśvapurī).
Rāma divided the whole kingdom of Kosala, its treasury and its four-fold army equally among the sons. He told them all to rule with justice and dharma, to care for the people with love, and never to leave the dharma-mārga (the path of dharma).
He then called together the assembled brāhmaṇas and the poor, all who had lived in his presence and service, and gave each one a rich last gift: cows, land, gems, gold, garments and more. For the last time he filled them with gifts and received their blessings.
Farewell to Vibhīshaṇa, Jāmbavān, Sugrīva and Hanumān
When word spread that Rāma was making mahāprasthāna, Vibhīshaṇa, Sugrīva and the other allies came quickly to his side. Rāma received them, honoured each with fitting affection, and then gave his last instructions.
To Vibhīshaṇa: “O ornament of the Daitya family, rule Laṅkā with righteousness until the kalpa-anta (the end of the cosmic age). After that, come and reach my presence.” He blessed Vibhīshaṇa and sent him back.
To Jāmbavān: “O Jāmbavanta, you have lived in my service through the ages. Enjoy life until the Dvāpara Yuga. I will come again and meet you then.” This points to the meeting of Kṛshṇa and Jāmbavān over the Syamantaka gem in the Dvāpara Yuga.
To Sugrīva: Sugrīva gave his kingdom to Aṅgada and asked leave to go with Rāma on the mahāprasthāna. Rāma agreed.
To Hanumān: Rāma drew Hanumān close and embraced him warmly. Holding him, he said: “O Hanumān, you shall live as long as the Moon, the Sun and the stars last. You are a chiranjeevi, one who lives without end. Protect all who worship and serve me, and ease their distress. I shall always live in your heart.” He placed his abhaya-hasta (hand of protection) on Hanumān’s head and blessed him.
The procession of the mahāprasthāna
Rāma took leave of everyone in Ayodhyā. The great procession took shape. Bharata walked on Rāma’s right and Śatrughna on his left. Behind them came all the people of Ayodhyā: ministers, courtiers, servants, citizens, priests, the poor, and all who had lived in Sāketa. After them came Sugrīva, the vānaras and all the rākshasa allies. Not one person was left behind in Ayodhyā.
Rāma walked at the head of this vast crowd toward the Sarayū.
The dik-pālas (guardians of the directions), the devas, the Vedas, the chandas (metres), the mantras and the tapasvis all appeared in their own forms. They walked beside Rāma or in front of him, going with Bhagavān Rāma on his return.
In the sky above, Brahmā, Maheśa, Indra, Nārada, the Sanakādi munis and all who live in the higher lokas gathered in their vimānas (flying chariots) and watched. Flowers rained down. The chanting of Vedic mantras filled the air.
The people of Sāketa reach Vaikuṇṭha
When the procession reached the Sarayū, the people of Sāketa, who had followed Rāma with complete love and faith, touched the waters of the holy river. At that touch each one gained Vishṇu-sārūpya (the same divine form as Bhagavān Vishṇu). They rose in vimānas to Vaikuṇṭha, the divine abode beyond all lokas.
Bharata, chanting the Vedic mantras, merged into Rāma. His awareness dissolved fully into Bhagavān Rāma.
Śatrughna entered the Sarayū, took a shining padma-rūpa (lotus form), and merged into Rāma.
Sugrīva had come from a portion of Sūrya deva. He entered the Sun again, to Sūrya-loka, as his awareness returned to its divine source.
The vānaras were each a portion of a particular deva. Their forms dissolved, and each returned to his own divine portion.
Rāma’s last words and disappearance
Rāma entered the Sarayū. Standing in the water, he raised his arm and looked up at the devas, ṛshis and others of the higher lokas gathered in the sky. He said:
“O Brahmā and all you who live in the higher lokas, from today, for one month, take to my loka in vimānas all who live on this riverbank, bathe in this Sarayū, or give up their life in this holy land.”
With this vara (boon) spoken, the king of Sāketa disappeared, like lightning vanishing from inside a cloud, in an instant and completely. Only the glow of his presence remained, as a memory that would last through all time.
The cry “Rāma! Jaya Rāma! Jaya Jagadīśa!” rang through the earth and sky in every direction.
The closing of the frame
The Lava Kuśa Kāṇḍa ends with the narrator Kākabhuśuṇḍi finishing his account to Garuḍa. It also confirms the frame of the whole work. The same charitra (life account) was told by Parameśvara Śiva to Pārvatī on Kailāsa. Yājñavalkya Maharshi told it to Bharadvāja at Prayāga at the Māgha festival. The closing verse says:
Sakala sumaṃgaḷadāyaka Raghunāyaka guṇagāna।
Sādara sunahiṃ tē tarahiṃ bhavasindhu vinā jalayāna॥
Those who hear with respect the qualities of Raghunāyaka, who gives all that is auspicious, cross the ocean of saṃsāra without a boat.
Sources
- Tulasī Rāmāyaṇa, Lava Kuśa Kāṇḍa, Chapter 16 (Rāmādula Vaikuṃṭha Gamanam)
- Tulasī Rāmāyaṇa, Lava Kuśa Kāṇḍa, closing