Welcome Lord Ram!!! - From the different versions - Page 4

Bharat returned with joy to Ayodhya and conveyed the news to his preceptor (Maharish Vasishta). He then proclaimed inside the palace that the Lord of the Raghus was approaching Ayodhya safe and sound. On hearing the news all the mothers were about to run out to meet Lord Ram ; but Bharat calmed their mind by telling them himself of the Lord's welfare. When the information reached the citizens, men and women all ran out in their joy (to meet their lord). With gold plates containing curds, Durva grass, the sacred yellow paste known by the name of Gorocana, fruits and flowers and young leaves of the sacred Tulsi (basil) plant, the root of all blessings, ladies sallied forth with the stately walk of an elephant, singing as they went. All ran out just as they happened to be and did not take children or old folk with them. People asked one another, "Brother, did you see the gracious Lord of the Raghus? Having come to know of the Lord's advent, the city of Ayodhya became a mine of all beauty. A delightful breeze breathed soft, cool and fragrant. The Sarayu rolled down with crystal clear water.

Accompanied by his preceptor, Maharishi Vasishta, his kinsmen, his younger brother Shathrugan and a host of Brahmans, with his heart overflowing with affection, Bharat joyfully set forth to receive the All-merciful. Many women, who had climbed up their attics, looked above for the aerial car in the sky. And the moment they spotted it they began to let out their joy by sing festive songs in melodious tones. Just as the sight of the full moon brings joy to the ocean and swells it, the city of Ayodhya too joyfully rushed with a tumultuous noise to meet the Lord of the Raghus, the women of the city moving to and fro like so many waves.

Kausalya and the other mothers all ran out to meet Him, as a cow that has recently given birth to calves would run at the sight of its little one. It seemed as though the cows that had recently calved and forced to go out to the woods for grazing, leaving their little ones at home, had at the close of day rushed forth towards the village with dripping teats. The Lord met all the mothers with utmost affection and spoke many soft words (or probably it was many words softly – didn't know which to use) to them. In this way the dire calamity that had come upon them as a result of separation from Sri Ram came to an end and they obtained infinite joy and gratification.

Sumitra embraced her son (Lakshman) remembering how devoted he was to Sri Ram's feet. Kaikeyi felt very uncomfortable at heart while embracing Sri Ram. Lakshman embraced all his mothers and was delighted to receive their blessings. But even though he met Kaikeyi again and again, his bitterness towards her did not leave him.

Vaidhehi (Sita) greeted all Her mothers-in-law and was transported with joy as She clasped their feet. They enquired after Her welfare and blessed Her, "May your married life be happy forever." All looked upon the lotus face of the Lord of the Raghus and, remembering that it was an occasion for rejoicing, checked the tears that came to their eyes. Burning festive lights in gold plates they waved them above Sri Ram's head (in order to ward off evil forces) and again and again looked at the Lord. They scattered every kind of offering about (around) Him (in order to avert an evil eye), their heart full of supreme happiness (that arose due to celebration) and ecstasy. Again and again did Kausalya looked upon the Hero of Raghu's race, who was an ocean of compassion and an irresistible warrior, each time pondering within herself, "How can he have killed the lord of Lanka? Too delicate of body are my two boys, while the demons were great champions of extraordinary might !" (A mother's pure love – makes it so beautiful). As the mother (Kausalya) gazed upon the Lord with Lakshmana and Sita her soul

was filled with great rapture of extreme (supreme) joy and the hair on her body bristled up again and again.

The Lord of Lanka (Vibhishan) and the Lord of Monkeys(Sugreev), Nal, Neel, Jambavan, Angad, Hanuman and the other monkey heroes, who were all of a virtuous disposition, had assumed charming human forms. With great reverence and love all applauded Bharat's affection to his brother, amiability, austerities and discipline. When they saw the citizens' mode of life, they all extolled their devotion to the Lord's feet. Then the Lord of the Raghus summoned all His comrades and exhorted them, "Clasp the feet of My Guru, the sage Vasishta, who is worthy of adoration to our whole race. It was by his grace that all the demons were slain in battle." (To sage Vasishta, He said,) "Listen, holy Sir, all of my comrades proved as so many barks in taking Me across the ocean of the battle. They risked their life in My cause: they are dearer to Me even than Bharata." They were all overwhelmed with emotion to hear the Lord's word; every moment that passed gave birth to some new joy.

Then they (the vanaras, Vibhishan and jambavan) bowed their heads at Kausalya's feet, who rejoiced to give them her blessing, and said, "You are as dear to me as the Lord of the Raghus. The sky was obscured with the showers of flowers as the Fountain of joy (Ram) took His way to the palace. Throngs of men and women of the city mounted the attics to have a look at the Lord. All the people placed at their door vases of gold picturesquely decorated and equipped with necessary articles. Everyone prepared and set festoons, flags and buntings, all to make a glad show. All the streets were sprinkled with perfumes and scented water and a number of mystic squares were drawn and filled in with pearls found in the projections of an elephant's forehead. Every kind of festive preparation was taken in hand; the city was like a festive carnival and a large number of kettledrums sounded simultaneously at once.

Ladies scattered their offerings about the Lord wherever He went, and invoked blessing on Him with their hearts full of joy. Bevies of young women sang festal songs, while gold plates provided with lights were ready at hand, which they waved about the Lord, who is the Reliever of all agony and brought delight to Raghu's race even as the sun gives delight to a bed of lotuses. The splendour, the wealth and the good fortune of the city have been praised by the Vedas, Sesha (the serpent-god) and Sarada (the goddess of speech and learning). But they too were dazed to see this spectacle.

The women, who were like water-lilies growing in the lake of Ayodhya (a really good description) had resembled the blossoms withered by the sun due to separation from the Lord of the Raghus. Now they blossomed again at the sight of Sri Ram, who resembled the full moon, the sun of separation having now set. Auspicious omens of every description occurred and kettle- drums sounded in the sky as the Lord proceeded to the palace after blessing the men and women of the city with His sight.

The Lord came to know that Kaikeyi was ashamed and went first to her palace. After reassuring and gratifying her much Sri Hari then moved to His own palace. When the All-merciful entered the palace, every man and woman of the city felt satisfied.