Written,video - 5 feb 09 - Vibhishan's coronation

Part 1- Mourning over Ravan's dead body

Today's epi begins with Ravan;s chief queens(Mandodari and Dhanyamalini) crying profusely over Ravan's dead body while the onlookers are looking at them helplessly; shri Ram asks Vibhhishana to console the ladies of his family and console them with soothing words, at this Vibhishana steps forward and consoles Mandodari asking her to take solace but Mandodari is in no mood to heed and questions him that how could he dare to call her his sister-in-law since he was the reason for his brother's death at the hands of enemies.Mandodari, looking at Ravan's dead body repeats that Ravan never ever heeded to her advice throughout his life but at least now after his death, he should also take Mandodari with him; At this Jambavant intervenes and tries to console Mandodari saying that even though he didn't have any moral right to console her, he just wanted to tell her that he too belonged to her clan since he too was a mind-born son of brahma just as Ravan's grand father Pulastya Rishi; Jambavant tells Mandodari to console herself since every being in this world comes alone and also leaves this world alone.

Suddenly Ravan's maternal grand-father enters the scene mourning for Ravan's death ; Ravan's widows leave the battlefield and Shri Ram steps forward and humbly salutes Malyavan and formally introduces himself; Malyavan acknowledges and says that Ravan had to die because of his stubborn nature and accepts his defeat at the hands of Shri Ram and announces to surrender. Shri Ram magnanimously retorts that he had to fight this war beacuse he had no other choice and it was necessary to end Ravan's atrocities, he always wields his bow only to punish the sinners, his aim never is to take possession of other's land and reassures Malyavan that Lanka will always belong to people of Lanka and that is why even before the war he (Rama) had declared Vibhishana as Lanka's successor . He requests Vibhishana to make fitting and proper arrangements for Ravan's royal cremations.

Malyan is very grateful hearing the soothing words of Shri Rama and hails his magnanimity.

A procession of Ravan's dead body is taken to the cremation ground where Vibhishana perfoms his last rites.

Part 2- Shri Rama's profound message to Vibhishana; Vibhishana's coronation:

A remorsefull Vibhhishana approaches Shri Rama with folded hands saying that Ravan's soul had merged with the five elements of nature and that it was a very difficult task to do so and he did not have any ambition to ascend the throne. shri Ram convinces in profound words saying that the feeling he had was called 'Smashan Vairagya' (A temporary renunciated state of mind at a beloved's death) Change is a way of life and Vibhshana very well knew this rule and so he should held his duty higher than his emotions and thus accept the kingship.

Shri Rama instructs Sugriv, Angad, Lakshman and Jambavant to make necessary arrangements for the coronation of Vibhishana.

Meanwhile at Ashok vatika Sita is elated and tells Trijata that very soon her Ram would come and release her , Trijata looks at her plesantly; Some Rakshasis enter and laugh mockingly saying that Vibhishana would be the new king of Lanka , when Trijata asks them the reason of their laugh they reply that Sita never knew ways of men; men themselves marry many women but it was a sin if a woman even sees another man. Sita defends saying Rama wasn't among such men, at this the rakshasis ask her why her Rama hadn't come to release her? sita is very dis-heartened to hear this.

Among the victory cries Vibhishana enters the royal assembly and in between the chanting of auspicious mantras (yajur upakarma) Vibhishana is coronated and everyone is pleased.

At Ayodhya all the three queen-mothers are moving to n fro and are in a deep thought, having forgotten about food,sleep and passing of the time. Kaushalya remaks to sumitra that these fourteen years never seems to pass off , Sumitra agrees saying time has come to a stop and their wait never seems to end , Kaikeyi intervenes , says that she learnt from Mandavi that the forteenth year is about to end , Kaushalya immediately wants to send a meesage to Sumantr, Kaikeyi stops her and asks that when Rama returns with Sita and Lakshmana ; Whole Ayodhya will gather to greet them and she (kaikeyi) will be the first-even bfore Kaushalya to meet Rama, Kaushalya smiles and approves this.

Vibhishana along with Lakshman and others comes and meets Shri Ram and is congratulated; Vibhishana asks for his blessing so that he will be able to complete his duties as a king; Shri Ram says he is confident about Vibhishana's capabilities and that he was truthful and honest and will never leave any void in completing his duties. Lakshman is anxious and interrupts Shri Ram hinting towards sita , Shri Ram cuts him short and says that he knew what Lakshman was thinking and his main aim was rescuing Sita and not the victory over Lanka. Hanuman informs Shri Rama that mother Sita was still waiting to be released from Ashok Vatika . so shri Rama asks Hanuman to inform Sita about the proceedings that had taken place and in return get a message from her after taking permission from Vibhishana.

Episode ends on the serene, smiling face of Shri Rama.