Rama - Later Life

Later Life

Rama's reign is known as the Rama Rajya which lasted for 11,000 years. During this period, people were healthy, satisfied and lived with complete peace and harmony. There was no evil, no wars, no natural calamity and no diseases. Rama ruled the whole earth without using military force as all kings submitted themselves to him.Once a Brahmana came to him, lamenting over his dead 15 year old son and accused Rama for committing a sin (in those days, nobody had a short life and died of natural causes). Sage Narada told Rama that a Sudra was doing a penance somewhere in his kingdom, which was a sin because in the Treta Yuga only Brahmanas and Kshatriyas were expected to do penances. Vaishyas and Sudras could attain salvation by doing their duty only. Rama set out in the Pushpaka Vimana (which Kubera had given it in gratitude for killing Ravana) and travelled in North, East and Western directions but Rama did not see any sinful activities. Rama then went out in the southern direction where he found a Sudra on top of a hill in sirsana position. The Sudra wanted to defeat Indra and conquer the heavens. Rama then beheaded the Sudra with his sword and left for Ayodhya to find the Brahmana's son alive.His brothers Bharata and Shatrughna settled in their later lives. Bharata, with the help of his uncle Yudhajit, conquered the eastern land of the Gandharvas and ruled it. Shatrughna slew the Asura Lavana and founded the city of Mathura. Rama acquired a rare gem from Rishi Agastya which entombed the powers of the gods Indra, Varuna, Yama and Kubera, which helped the king rule efficiently.After his reign, Rama and his brothers and his allies peacefully left the earth on the river Sarayu without abandoning their mortal bodies. Luv and Kush ruled Kosala and continued the solar race.