Lanka Kaanda
197 - Sri Rama and Sita leave for Ayodhya on the aerial car, Puspaka
Chaupais
Description
The Lord instructed Hanuman as follows:-"Go ahead of us to the city of Ayodhya in the guise of a religious student, tell Bharata the news of our welfare and then come back with all the news about him." The son of the wind-god immediately left and the Lord then called on Bharadvaja. The sage offered Him all kinds of worship and after hymning His praises further gave Him his blessing. The Lord in His turn adored the sage's feet with joined palms, mounted the car and went on His journey. At this end the Nisada chief heard that the Lord had come and exclaiming "The boat, where is the boat ?" summoned his people. Meanwhile the aerial car flew across the celestial stream and landed on the bank (adjoining Srngaverapura) in obedience to the Lord's command. Then Sita offered all kinds of worship to the celestial stream and threw Herself at the feet of the Goddess presiding over the stream. In gladness of soul Ganga pronounced Her blessing. "May You enjoy a happy married life without a break, O fair lady." Overwhelmed with love, Guha ran to meet the Lord as soon as he heard of His landing and approached his Master, full of ecstatic joy. Perceiving the Lord accompanied by Videha's Daughter, he fell flat on the ground oblivious of his own existence. The Lord of the Raghus felt overjoyed to see his excessive fondness; He took and clasped him to His bosom.