Ram Comes Home to Ayodhya

The fourteen years were almost over. The war in Lanka had ended, and dharma had won. Ram, Sita, Lakshman and all their friends set off for Ayodhya in the Pushpak Viman, a flying chariot.

Ram was missing Bharat very much. He said to Hanuman, "Go ahead and tell Bharat that we are coming, and see how he is."

Hanuman quickly reached Nandigram. There he saw Bharat sitting on a mat of kusha grass. His hair was matted, his body was thin, and with tears in his eyes he was chanting "Ram, Ram." In front of him were Ram's sandals. Seeing Bharat, Hanuman's heart filled with love.

Hanuman said in a sweet voice, "The one you miss day and night, Ram, is coming back safely with Sita and Lakshman!" The moment he heard this, all of Bharat's sorrow vanished, like a thirsty person finding sweet nectar. He hugged Hanuman and said, "Nothing in the whole world is enough to repay you for this happy news."

The news spread all through Ayodhya. People rushed out of their homes. The streets were decorated, flowers were spread, and conches and drums began to play. The queen mothers, Guru Vashishtha and all the people went out to welcome Ram.

When the Pushpak landed, Bharat ran and fell at Ram's feet. Ram lifted him up, sat him on his lap and hugged him. Then, with his own hands, Bharat put those same sandals back on Ram's feet and said, "Bhaiya, I looked after your kingdom as something you left in my care. Today I give it back to you."

Then Ram was crowned king. That day, Ram gave Sita a beautiful pearl necklace. Holding it, Sita looked at Ram, and then at Hanuman. Ram understood her heart and said, "Give it to the one who has pleased you the most." With a smile, Sita placed the necklace around Hanuman's neck.

Many families believe that lamps were lit in Ayodhya in the joy of Ram's return. Even today, at Diwali, we remember that happiness.