Ayodhya Kand Part 5 | The Return of Dharma

Tulsidas wrote that when Bharat received Ram’s slippers, Bharat got his confidence back.

The Forest Becomes Home

Days passed in Chitrakoot.
People from Ayodhya lived peacefully in the forest
Sita grew closer to her mothers-in-law,
and only Ram understood the quiet reason behind her care.

Kaikeyi still carried guilt like a shadow.
She watched Sita and Ram smile and from inside she was still crying..

Bharat, restless and uncertain,
spoke to Sage Vishistha about how to convince Ram to return.

The Council of Hearts

The next morning, Vishistha gathered everyone —
queens, rishis, ministers and Ram himself.

He asked,

What should be done now? How do we take Ram back to Ayodhya?

No one answered.
Even the Ram himself stays silent.

Then Bharat folded his hands,

Guruji, you decide.
Whatever you say will be right.

Vishistha suggested,

Let Ram, Sita, and Lakshman return to Ayodhya,
and Bharat and Shatrughan stay here in the forest.

Both brothers immediately agreed.

We can stay forever in the jungle for our Ram.

But the people murmured
their hearts wanted Ram back too.

Vishistha turned to Ram.

What is your will?

Ram smiled softly,

Whatever you decide is my final decision.

The Arrival of Janak

Suddenly, a messenger arrived from Janakpur bringing news that King Janak had heard of Dashrath’s death
and Ram’s life in exile.

The messenger told how Bharat had renounced the throne
and lived only to serve Ram.

King Janak was deeply moved.
He gathered his army and within a day
reached Chitrakoot with Queen Sunaina.

Everyone was surprised
the great philosopher-king himself had come to meet his son-in-law(Ram).

That night, Chitrakoot glowed like Ayodhya again.

A Meeting of Kings and Saints

The next morning, Janak met Ram, Sita, and all the sages.
He prayed silently at Dashrath’s loss,
and Vishistha comforted him.

Soon after, both armies bathed in the Mandakini River,
rested under trees, and shared food gathered from the forest.

For a few days,
Ayodhya and Mithila lived together in exile
two kingdoms breathing in devotion.

Even Queen Sunaina met Sita.
She praised Bharat’s sacrifice,
and the mothers spoke of how blessed they were to share such sons.

The Debate of Ayodhya

That night, under the moonlight,
Janak and Sunaina discussed the fate of Ram and Bharat.

Sunaina said,

Maybe Bharat should stay in exile,
and Ram should return to Ayodhya.

Janak thought for a long time,
then nodded quietly

Perhaps that is destiny’s balance.

The next day,
Janak met Vishistha, Ram and Bharat together.

He asked Bharat first,

What do you wish?

Bharat bowed his head,

I have no wish, only your orders.
Please ask Ram.

When Ram was asked, he replied simply,

When Janak is here,
who am I to argue with wisdom itself?

The decision now rested again on Bharat.

The Words That Broke Silence

Bharat stood and took step, his voice trembling.

Every step I take is towards Ram,
yet every duty pulls me back to Ayodhya.
I don’t know which is right.

The hut fell silent.
Then Ram placed his hand on Bharat’s shoulder:

Bharat continued:

After father, we are only brothers binding Ayodhya.
You must protect the people,
care for our mothers,
and keep dharma alive.
That is your exile — and your crown.”

Bharat’s eyes softened.

Then bless me, brother,
and give me something that reminds me of you.

Ram smiled,
removed his wooden khadau (sandals),
and placed them in Bharat’s hands.

Rule in my name.
Let these stand on the throne.
Wherever they rest, I live.

✨ Reflection

For Tulsidas, this was devotion’s peak.
For me, it’s the moment brotherhood turned into duty
and duty turned into worship.

The Farewell

After heartfelt goodbyes,
Ram and Bharat embraced once more.
Both cried openly brothers forever..

One by one, everyone took blessings and began their journey back.
The queens, rishis and soldiers left Chitrakoot
with heavy hearts and tearful eyes.

As evening fell,
Everyone gone. Ram, Sita, and Lakshman sat under a banyan tree.
Ram whispered softly,

The greatest wealth I ever had was brother like Bharat.

The Return to Ayodhya

On the way back, the people rested at the Yamuna,
then crossed the Ganga, where Nishadraj (the sailor)
bid them farewell once again.

Four days later, they entered Ayodhya.
King Janak stayed for a few more days,
watching Bharat begin his reign.

But Bharat refused to sit on the throne.
He placed Ram’s sandals on it instead
and ruled from the floor.

He wore simple clothes, ate little,
and lived like an ascetic in the palace.

People said,

When the king lives like a sage,
the kingdom itself becomes heaven.

End of Ayodhya Kand

And thus ends the Ayodhya Kand

Ram lived dharma.
Bharat lived devotion.
Sita lived courage.
Kaikeyi lived repentance.

Tulsidas called it “the Kand of tears.”
And maybe that’s true..

✨ Final Reflection

Ram taught us that truth is not to be argued — it’s to be lived.
Bharat showed us that love doesn’t always hold — sometimes, it lets go.

Next in the Series: *Aranya Kand *

Thank you for reading.