Neev:
Now, as the battlefield buzzes with chaos, word reaches Rama—Bharata too has been defeated and lies unconscious, all thanks to these daring little warriors! Shocked and heart heavy, Rama rallies his army along with Vibheeshana and sets off for the ashrama where the battle rages.

Cohost:
Let me guess, Rama felt the same love and fascination for the young boys like his brothers? Even though they all didn’t know the  true identity of the boys yet, they all felt a connection.

Neev:
Rama stepped forward, calling the twins closer. With genuine curiosity, he asks, “Who are you, brave ones? Tell me, who are your parents? You seem to embody courage and strength, having defeated my entire army!”
But these little warriors weren’t shy—they retort boldly, “We are Luv and Kush! Our mother is Seeta, the princess of Mithila, daughter of King Janaka. We were raised by Sage Valmiki, and since we’ve never seen our father, we don’t know his name or his dynasty!”

Cohost: Imagine what Rama might be feeling hearing this!

Neev:
Rama was overwhelmed with pride and tenderness. His heart filled with love for his sons, even though he’d never met them before. 

Cohost: But remember the twins didn’t know, so they were still up for a challenge: 

Neev:Neev [laughing gently]: Haha! Yeah, they said, “Either you go away or prepare to fight for the horse!” Rama, though taken aback, picks up his bow and readies himself—but he’s careful, not wanting to harm his own sons.
Then, in a surprising turn, Hanuman—always the vigilant protector—joins the fray. Noticing Rama’s protective stance, Hanuman picks up his mighty mace and leaps into the battle, determined to learn the secret behind these prodigious boys.

Cohost:
And that only irritates Kush! Right? 

Neev: Kush turns and retaliates by tying Hanuman to a tree! Luv then chimes in, “Let’s take this monkey to Mother—she’ll be thrilled to see him!” And with that, the twins dash off amid the clamor, eager to show their dear mother the unexpected “toy” they’ve captured.
When Seeta comes out, she is stunned to see Hanuman—whom she’s always considered like an adopted son. Hanuman, bowing low, informs her, “Mother, your wonderful sons have caught Rama’s Ashwamedha horse and rendered Shatrughna, Lakshmana, and Bharata unconscious! Unwittingly, a battle is unfolding between Rama and the boys!”

Cohost: Hanuman tattle telling on the boys! 

Neev: Seeta’s heart trembles—torn between her maternal pride for their courage and her anguish at the strife between father and sons. Seeta orders the boys to untie Hanuman. They obey without hesitation, and she rushes off to Sage Valmiki, pleading for his wisdom to end this conflict that has brought so much sorrow to her family and kingdom.

Cohost:
And Valmiki, ever the calm seer, smiles gently and reassures her, “I have been waiting for this moment, my child. Everything that has transpired has led us here. Your wish for peace will soon be granted.”

Neev:
The next day, the battlefield was abuzz once again. Luv and Kush, still brimming with warrior spirit, had returned. They boldly challenged the King of Kaushala—issuing a dare that if anyone wished to reclaim the Ashwamedha horse, they’d have to battle them.

Cohost: Wait! They are still fighting? That’s audacious!
Rama’s probably thinking they were too young to toss out such challenges.

Neev:
But the twins were far from willing to back down. “We are warriors!” they declared, and just like that, the battle resumed. Rama defended himself with ease for a long while, but the relentless stubbornness of the boys eventually stirred his ire. In frustration, he nocked a powerful arrow to shoot—when, suddenly, Sage Valmiki arrived on the scene.

Cohost: Finally! What was he waiting for? 

Neev:
Recognizing the revered sage, Rama immediately got down from his chariot and bowed at his feet. With authority in his voice, Valmiki spoke, “Rama, Luv and Kush are your sons!” Rama’s eyes softened as he looked upon the young warriors—his long-lost sons.

Cohost: But he had figured that part out! I guess the boys are hearing it for the first time!

Neev:
He sent the boys to bow before Rama, and when they did, Rama enveloped them in a warm, loving embrace. Then, in a miraculous moment, Valmiki sprinkled the holy water of the Ganga on Rama’s unconscious brothers—and they revived! They all bowed to Valmiki, and as they turned, they saw Seeta approaching. The twins rushed to her and touched her feet in reverence.

Cohost:
Rama’s heart swelled with joy at seeing his beloved Seeta, yet he remained solemn and silent—troubled by the criticism of his subjects. That silence, that icy stillness, shattered Seeta’s heart.

Neev:
Valmiki, ever wise, then spoke to Rama, “I have always known of Seeta’s unfailing devotion. You must return her to Ayodhya, for she deserves happiness with her husband.” He declared that he would stake all the merit of his austerities on her purity. Rama replied, “I have never doubted Seeta’s devotion, revered sir, but my subjects come first.” Rama then sent Lakshmana to persuade Seeta to return.

Cohost: Sending Lakshama again to do your bidding! 

Neev: Lakshmana pleaded, hoping to atone for leaving her behind. Seeta, eager to follow Valmiki’s counsel, was ready to return—until she saw Rama standing silently, uncertain and distant.
In that heart-wrenching moment, Seeta made her decision. With resolve and sorrow intertwined, she stepped towards the river and prayed to Mother Earth, “I have devoted myself wholly to Sri Rama. If my love is true, O Mother Earth, then take me into your refuge.”

Cohost: Oh no! She’s asked the earth to crack open and swallow her! 

Neev: And as if in answer, the gods gathered: the earth trembled, lightning flashed, and thunder roared. In a breathtaking instant, the ground split open, and Seeta vanished into the embrace of Mother Earth.

Cohost: Noooooooo! After all her sacrifices! This is how her story ends?

Neev:
Melodramatic much mom! 

Cohost: Well someone’s gotta be! Rama is always so stoic!

Neev: Well Rama’s silence broke with a furious cry: “Return my Seeta to me or take me into you with her! I cannot live without her!” His outburst echoed across the land, a cry of love and desperation that would forever mark this fateful day.

Cohost: Seriously - now he cannot live without her? Too late! 

Neev:
Rama, though his heart ached with longing, controlled his grief and returned to Ayodhya with his sons, his brothers, Hanuman, and his entire army. The citizens celebrated the triumphant return of their king and his rightful heirs, and the kingdom buzzed with joy. Yet amidst the celebrations, Rama’s eyes betrayed his sorrow—he missed Seeta terribly.

Cohost:
It was a bittersweet moment—while the people rejoiced in a prosperous, secure kingdom, Rama carried the weight of loss in his heart. And as time passed, fate dealt further blows. One by one, his dear mother Queen Kaushalya, followed by Sumitra and Kaikeyi, passed away. 

Neev:
One day, while preparing for the day ahead, Rama dressed before a mirror. As he gazed at his reflection, a profound realization struck him—he had lost interest in the material world. His heart yearned to return to Vaikuntha, the celestial abode of Lord Vishnu. His earthly mission was complete: he had established a secure and prosperous kingdom where the welfare of his subjects reigned supreme, yet his spirit longed for the divine peace of heaven.

Cohost:
Yes, Lord Vishnu, aware that his avatar on Earth had fulfilled every duty, prepared for the transition by sending Devarshi Narad to call upon Dharmaraja—the great god of death, also known as Yama.

Neev:
Dharmaraja, caught between duty and compassion, arrived promptly and bowed before Lord Vishnu. Vishnu explained that Sri Rama’s time on Earth was over, and that Dharmaraja must now bring him to his celestial abode. However, Dharmaraja was troubled—how could he simply announce the end of a life that embodied nobility and virtue? But knowing that all mortal beings must eventually face death, he resolved to fulfill his duty.
Disguising himself as a Brahmana to better approach Rama, Dharmaraja made his way to the outskirts of Ayodhya. But Rama, blessed with inner vision, recognized him immediately. Rama himself stepped out of his chariot and invited the Brahmana inside, warning Lakshmana at the door, “Make sure no one overhears our conversation, or there will be dire consequences.”

Cohost: Why does it sound like this is not going to go well?

Neev:
Inside, with the room shrouded in secrecy, Rama asked for Lord Vishnu’s message. Dharmaraja, with calm authority, delivered the divine decree: “Lord, your earthly mission is complete. You have served mankind with honor and fulfilled your duty. It is now time for you to return to the heavens.”
In his own gentle reply, he acknowledged, “I came to this Earth as a human being to benefit all three worlds. My task is done—I am ready to return to heaven, where my journey began.” 

Cohost: Nothing too extraordinary here! Just a casual conversation with the God of death about life, death, duty, and the eternal cycle of existence.

Neev:

While Rama was deep in conversation with Dharmaraja, discussing his final moments on Earth, an unexpected visitor arrived at the palace gates. And not just any visitor—it was Sage Durvasa.

Cohost:
Oh boy. Sage Durvasa, the king of short tempers, the CEO of impatience, the undisputed master of cursing people into oblivion!

Neev:
Exactly! And this was not the kind of guest you could keep waiting! He had come with an urgent request to meet Rama. Lakshmana, standing guard outside the room, bowed respectfully and said, “Revered sir, Sri Rama is occupied with something urgent. Please wait for just a short while.”

Cohost:
And that, my friends, was the mistake. If Durvasa had a motto, it would probably be: “I do NOT wait.”

Neev:
Yep! The sage’s face turned red, then purple, then probably an explosive shade of cosmic fury! With fire practically spewing from his eyes, he roared, “Lakshmana! If you do not immediately inform Rama of my arrival, I will reduce Ayodhya to ashes with a single curse!”

Cohost:
Whoa. Talk about a customer service nightmare. Imagine if this guy walked into a restaurant and they told him, “Sir, your food will take ten more minutes.” Boom! Restaurant? Gone. Chef? Cursed. City? Wiped out!

Neev:
Lakshmana’s mind raced. He was caught in the ultimate dilemma—if he refused Durvasa’s demand, all of Ayodhya would be destroyed. But if he entered Rama’s private meeting, he would face certain death.

Cohost:
So basically, Lakshmana had two choices: Mass destruction… or personal destruction. Yikes.

Neev:
But Lakshmana didn’t hesitate. He made the decision immediately. “Better that I face my own fate than let the entire kingdom suffer,” he thought. With his head held high, he stepped inside the room.

(Dramatic pause, slow drumbeat in the background)

Rama turned, surprised to see his brother entering against his strict orders. His brow furrowed, but before he could speak, Lakshmana quickly explained everything—the sage’s rage, the threat to Ayodhya, and the impossible choice he had faced.

Cohost:
And you know what? Instead of being furious, Rama did what he always did—he put duty first. He immediately left the room to greet Sage Durvasa, leaving the fate of his beloved brother hanging in the balance.

Neev:
Rama bowed deeply before Sage Durvasa and, as was the custom, offered him the highest hospitality. And guess what? Durvasa had just completed a 1,000-year-long fast and needed a proper feast to break it.

Cohost:
A thousand years?! That’s like—if he started fasting back in the days of dinosaurs, he’d just be finishing now!

Neev:
Exactly! And when you’re that hungry, you definitely don’t want to upset the guy holding the ladle!

So, Rama personally arranged a grand feast for Durvasa, serving him the finest food, making sure the sage was treated with the utmost care. By the end of the meal, Durvasa was completely satisfied—his anger gone, his heart full, and his hunger definitely taken care of. He smiled at Rama and blessed him before leaving the palace, his fiery temper now soothed.

Cohost:
Phew! Crisis averted, right? Ayodhya is safe, the sage is happy, and everything’s fine now? 

Neev:

Not quite. Because even though the kingdom was saved, Rama now had to uphold his own word. His heart ached as he turned to look at Lakshmana.

Cohost:
Oh no.

Neev:
Lakshmana, his most loyal and beloved brother, had disobeyed an order. And according to the strict laws of dharma, the punishment for violating this particular rule was death.

Rama’s eyes filled with tears. He had already lost Seeta. He had already lived with the burden of sending her away. And now, fate demanded that he lose his brother, too.

Cohost:
This is beyond heartbreaking. Lakshmana stood by Rama’s side through everything—exile, battles, wars, betrayals. And now, just for saving Ayodhya, he was supposed to pay the ultimate price?

Neev:
Lakshmana, ever the devoted brother, saw the pain in Rama’s eyes and made the decision for him.

He stepped forward and said, “My Lord, I have always obeyed you, and I will not let you bear this burden now. I accept my fate.”

Without hesitation, Lakshmana walked away from the palace, leaving his brother behind. He renounced everything—his title, his home, and even his own right to life.

Cohost:
So after everything… after all the adventures and victories, Lakshmana just walked away?

Neev:
Rama, torn between his boundless love and the unyielding law of dharma, consulted his mentor Vasishtha. The wise sage reminded him that disowning a bond is as grave as the death penalty. With a heavy heart, Rama disowned Lakshmana, and the inevitable journey began.
Lakshmana walked to the banks of the Sarayu River, where he cupped the sacred water in his palms and prayed. Moments later, the divine vehicle of Indra descended from the heavens. Climbing aboard, Lakshmana bid farewell to everyone—knowing that by boarding that celestial chariot, he gained the power to choose his own end.

Cohost:
Rama, alongside his brothers Bharata and Shatrughna, watched in sorrow as Lakshmana was carried away—each heart burdened by the loss of the one who had been his steadfast shadow through exile and war.

Neev:
And then, on the banks of Sarayu, the grief-stricken Rama was so overwhelmed by his loss that he even considered handing over the kingdom to Bharata and retreating into the forest. 

Cohost: But Bharata, did not want the crown or the kingdom ”

Neev:
The people of Ayodhya, too, could not bear to see their beloved king in despair. They declared their wish to follow Rama wherever he went. After consulting Vasishtha once more, Rama realized that his subjects were as much a part of his destiny as his own heart.

Cohost:
And then there was his dear friend Hanuman. 

Neev: At the banks of the Sarayu, with the citizens gathered around, Rama said, “O son of Vayu, you came to earth to offer me your devotion. May you live as long as my name is spoken, as long as my story is told!” Hanuman, deeply moved, bowed at Rama’s feet—receiving a blessing that would make his devotion immortal.

Cohost:
Then, as if destiny itself had drawn a curtain on this chapter, the entire populace of Ayodhya followed Rama to the river’s edge. Here, Rama prepared to take his jala-samadhi—the final act of merging with the divine water, the ultimate peace of death. The gods, sages, and even the mighty vanara and bear armies gathered to witness this sacred rite.

Neev:
Rama stepped into a swirling whirlpool that emerged in the Sarayu, and in that moment, Lord Brahma approached him. With divine grace, Brahma declared, “You and your noble brothers may assume any form you desire to enter the ultimate heaven, your celestial abode.”
Rama, Bharata, and Shatrughna—all embodiments of divine virtue—chose to be absorbed in the divine light of Lord Vishnu. Before departing, Rama made a final, heartfelt request: “Lord, this populace has left behind all worldly desires and followed me with unyielding faith. Please find a suitable heaven for them.”

Cohost:
And with that, the epic journey of Rama on earth came to its serene end, leaving behind a legacy of love, sacrifice, and eternal devotion—a story that would be recited and cherished for generations.

Neev:
And that brings us to the end of our epic journey in Ayodhya. Today, we witnessed the heart-wrenching farewell of Rama, the sacrifice of Lakshmana, and the final step of a king who completed his earthly mission to care for his people. Every tear, every noble act, and every divine confrontation reminds us that even in the midst of sorrow, love and duty shine through.

Cohost:
Thank you for joining us on this emotional and powerful chapter of the Ramayana. We hope you felt the passion and sacrifice of our heroes, and that their legacy inspires you as much as it has inspired countless generations.

Neev:
Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave your thoughts about today’s episode. Your support keeps the mythic magic alive and helps us bring more epic stories to life!

Cohost:
Stay tuned for our next grand adventure. Whether it’s new legends or the next great epic, we promise there’s always another journey waiting just around the corner.

Neev:
Until next time, keep your hearts brave and your spirits soaring. This is Mythical Masala with Neev, signing off with love and eternal devotion.