Uttar Kaanda
199 - Bharata's desolation; meeting of Bharata and Hanuman; rejoicing in Ayodhya
Chaupais
Description
At the other end Sri Rama, who brought delight to the solar race as the sun to the lotus, was busy showing the charming city to the monkeys. "Listen, Sugriva (lord of the monkeys), Angada and Vibhisana (lord of Lanka), holy is this city and beautiful this land. Although all have extolled Vaikuntha (My divine Abode), which is familiar to the Vedas and the Puranas and known throughout the world, it is not so dear to Me as the city of Ayodhya: only some rare soul knows this secret. This beautiful city is My birthplace; to the north of it flows the holy Sarayu, by bathing in which men secure a home near Me without any difficulty. The dwellers here are very dear to Me; the city is not only full of bliss itself but bestows a residence in My divine Abode." The monkeys were all delighted to hear these words of the Lord and said, "Blessed indeed is Ayodhya, that has evoked praise from Sri Rama Himself !"