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Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 9: Chapter 10: Verses 29-43
An account of Sri Rama's pastimes
Sri Suka continued : Encouraged (commanded) by Sri Rama (the uncrowned King of Kosala), Vibhisana (the youngest brother of Ravana) performed for the benefit of his Kinsmen (Ravana and others) whatever is ordained (in the scriptures) by way of obsequies according to the procedure laid down for a sacrifice intended to propitiate the manes. The Lord then saw in a retreat in the Asoka garden His most beloved Spouse (Sita) emaciated due to the disease of separation from Him and seated at the foot of a Sirhsapa (Asoka) tree. Observing Her in that wretched plight Sri Rama was filled with compassion. Bestowing on Vibhisana the rulership of the Raksasa hordes, (the city of) Lanka and longevity extending to the end of the Kalpa, and (first) helping Sita-the lotus of whose countenance was now blooming with joy caused by His full vision-to mount the aerial car (Puspaka), the Lord, who had (now) completed His vow of residing in a forest (for fourteen years), stepped into the car (Himself) alongwith His two brothers (His half-brother Laksmana and His adopted brother Sugriva) and, (further) accompanied by Hanuman, flew (back) to His capital (Ayodhya), showered over on the way with flowers offered by the guardians of the (various) worlds, His (heroic) deeds being joyfully celebrated (all along) by Brahma (the creator) and others. The highly merciful Lord (however) felt (much) pained to learn about His (younger) brother (Bharata), who, covering himself with the bark of trees, was living on barley boiled in the urine of cows, wore matted locks (on his head) and slept on the ground strewn with blades of (the sacred) Kusa grass. Hearing of Sri Rama having arrived, Prince Bharata placed on his head the tatter's wooden sandals (lent to him by the Lord as a token of love) and, accompanied by the citizens (of Ayodhya), his ministers and family priests, proceeded from Nandigrama-where he was camping (with avow not to enter Ayodhya till Sri Rama's return)-to meet his elder Brother in the midst of songs and sounds of musical instruments and (further) accompanied by (great) exponents of the Vedas, repeatedly chanting in loud tones (sacred texts from) the Vedas, by flags with gilded edges, chariots of gold decked with flags of various colours, noble horses with trappings of gold, warriors protected by gold armours, traders (of every description), courtezans and servants following on foot, and (also) taking with him royal insignia (in the shape of an umbrella, chowries and so on) and (valuable) commodities (jewels etc.), of every description (great and small byway of presents). Placing the sandals before Sri Rama, he dropped down at His feet, his heart and eyes moistened with love, and stood with joined palms and eyes full of tears. Keeping him folded in His arms for a long time and bathing him with tears flowing from His eyes, Sri Rama Himself alongwith Laksmana and Sita offered His greetings to the Brahmanas as well as to those (others) who were most deserving of honour and was (in His turn) saluted by the people. Observing their lord returned (home) after a long time, the inhabitants of north Kosala joyfully danced, waving their upper cloths and showering flowers on Him. Bharata took His pair of wooden sandals; Vibhisana alongwith Sugriva (who stood severally on His right and left), a chowrie and an excellent fan (respectively); and Hanuman (son of the wind-god, who stood behind the Lord) held the white umbrella (over Him).
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