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CONCLUSION
In the concluding portion of the Uttara or Supplemental Book, the
descendants
of Rama and his brothers are described as the founders of
the great cities and kingdoms which flourished in Western India in the
fourth and fifth centuries before the Christian Era.
Bharat had two sons, Taksha and Pushkala. The former founded
Taksha-sila, to the east of the Indus, and known to Alexander and the
Greeks as Taxila. The latter founded Pushkala-vati, to the west of the
Indus, and known to Alexander and the Greeks as Peukelaotis. Thus the
sons of Bharat are said to have founded kingdoms which flourished on
either side of the Indus river in the fourth century before Christ.
Lakshman had two sons, Angada and Chandraketu. The former founded
the kingdom of Karupada, and the latter founded the city of
Chandrakanti in the Malwa country.
Satrughna had two sons, Suvahu and Satrughati. The former became
king of Mathura, and the latter ruled in Vidisha.
Rama had two sons, Lava and Kusa. The former ruled in Sravasti,
which was the capital of Oudh at the time of the Buddha in the fifth
and sixth centuries before Christ. The latter founded Kusavati at the
foot of the Vindhya mountains.
The death of Rama and his brothers was in accordance with Hindu
ideas of the death of the righteous. Lakshman died under somewhat
peculiar circumstances. A messenger from heaven sought a secret
conference with Rama, and Rama placed Lakshman at the gate, with
strict injunctions that whoever intruded on the private conference
should be slain. Lakshman himself had to disturb the conference by the
solicitation of the celestial rishi Durvasa, who always appears
on earth to create mischief. And true to the orders passed by Rama, he
surrendered his life by penances, and went to heaven.
In the fulness of time, Rama and his other brothers left Ayodhya,
crossed the Sarayu, surrendered their mortal life, and entered heaven.
Suggested Further Reading
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