Did Shri Rama return to Ayodhya on "Our" Deepaavali?
Deepaavali and Shri Rama - A deeper bond
Dear Bandhus,
Dussehra (Vijayadashami) is behind us and Deepavali, the festival of lights, is just a fortnight away, when we believe Shri Rama, Mata Sita and Lakshmana returned to Ayodhya, delighting the world…
But did Bhagavan return home actually on the Deepavali that we celebrate today? The Srimad Valmiki Ramayana tells us that Bhagavan, Mata Sita and Lakshmana actually returned home during the Chaitra Maasa (March-April), the exact same time He had left Ayodhya 14 years ago…
In this series of articles, let us understand from our Epics and Puranas, the different timelines, from the slaying of Ravana to the return of Prabhu Shri Rama, Mata Sita and Lakshmana to Ayodhya
Part 1 – What does the Valmiki Ramayana tell us…
Days and Dates in the Valmiki Ramayana…
In the Valmiki Ramayana, though there are ample instances of tithis (dates) and ritus (seasons), there is not much “direct” mention of maasas (months), except on specific instances…
First, let us rewind to the Ayodhya Kaanda, when Maharaja Dasharatha plans for Shri Rama’s coronation as Crown Prince
Raja Dasharatha plans Bhagavan’s Coronation
Raja Dasharatha also says that Shri Rama will be crowned in the Chaitra Maasa (March-April) on the day of the Pushyami Nakshatra (incidentally, Chaitra Pushyami is also Bharata’s birthday)!
चैत्रः श्रीमानयं मासः पुण्यः पुष्पितकाननः |
यौवराज्याय रामस्य सर्वमेवोपकल्प्यताम् || २-३-४
राज्ञस्तूपरते वाक्ये जनघोषो महानभूत् |
On the day, He is set to be crowned, Shri Rama leaves for the forest, for a 14-year exile.
The great Bharata’s resolve
Fast-forward to Bhagavan’s meeting with Bharata, where the latter makes a pointed request of the Lord –
चतुर्दशे तु सम्पूर्णे वर्षेऽहानि रघूत्तम || २-११२-२५
न द्रक्ष्यामि यदि त्वां तु प्रवेक्ष्यामि हुताशनम् |
“O, Rama! If I do not see you the following day when the fourteenth year has fully ended, I shall enter the fire once for all.”
Thus, Shri Rama left Ayodhya during the Chaitra Maasa and also returned during the same month 14 years later.
Then how could the Deepavali we celebrate, during the Kartika Maasa (October-November), be the day Shri Rama returned to Ayodhya?
Let us understand this with a few more instances in the Epic –
Search for Mata Sita
Sugreeva sends the Vanaras in all four directions during the Sharad Ritu (September-October). The southbound Vanaras, headed by Angada and Hanuman lose their way inside the magical cave, Rikshabila. By the time they come out, it is already the start of Spring – Vasanta Ritu (February – March) –
ते वसंतम् अनुप्राप्तम् प्रतिवेद्य परस्परम् | नष्ट संदेश काल अर्था निपेतुर् धरणी तले || ४-५३-५
Knowing that they were already late in their mission, the Vanaras reach the Ocean shore, and on the same day, Hanuman leaps to Lanka, with Sampati’s guidance. For the events thereon, here is a quick timeline
Conclusion
Thus, Sri Rama reached Ayodhya again in Chaitra month only (March – April) but not on Kaartika Amavasya.
Thus, rather than say that Shri Rama returned on Deepavali, let us believe that any day that Shri Rama returned became Deepavali!
We can still celebrate Deepavali as the day of Shri Rama’s return to Ayodhya…The lamps we light symbolise divine wisdom…the Ayodhya lies in our hearts, where Bhagavan will always dwell.
