Sage Agastya appeared, as if from nowhere. Agastya told Rama in a pleasing tone: "I just came to wish you well and to let you know that all your sorrows will end soon. All the three types of sorrows, the sadness due to separation, and all the dangers will stay away from you from now on.”

He told Rama that is teaching him a Mantra, that will erase his worldly afflictions, give him longevity and make his fame spread far and wide. It was Aditya Hridaya Stotram and it can be chanted by anyone, a Deva, Rakshasa, Celestial, Monk, Guhyaka, Yaksha, Kimpurusha, Apsaras, or Human.

Sun is the primordial Deva, who maintains the fourteen worlds with his rays carrying divine energy. He is indeed the destroyer of these worlds when the time is ripe. Sun is keeping track of time for everyone. He is the eternal witness for all that is happening in the world and all that is done by all.

This event is not in the Adhyatma Ramayana, but is mentioned in the English translation of Ezhutachan’s Ramayana Kilippattu.

Picture is the opening part of Aditya Hridaya Stotram.

Vibhishana tells Rama the secret to kill Ravana.

Rama cut off Ravana’s heads but it grew back and this kept repeating. Rama knew that Ravana would have done ample penance for this to happen. The arrows that killed Kumbhakarna and other mighty Rakshasas were seemed reluctant to kill Ravana.

Vibhishana told Rama that the navel of Ravana holds the water of his life. Only when it is dried up can Ravana’s heads be decisively cut off. Rama then used Agni Astra to dry up Ravana’s life and then cut off his heads till only one head remained.

Additional Source: Adhyatma Ramayana by Lala Baij Nath

Picture Credit: J Martin and Manoj Publications

Matali told Rama to use the Paithaa-maha-astra, given by sage Agastya. Rama took that divine arrow and shot at Ravana using his full might and it pierced his heart and went to the ocean and cleansed itself, before coming back to Rama's quiver. Ravana fell from the chariot like a huge tree and the Devas showered flowers on Rama, from the sky. This version of the event is in the English translation of Ezhutachan’s Kilippattu.

In other versions of Adhyatma Ramayana, Mitali asks Rama to aim the Brahmastra at the chest.

Additional Source: Adhyatma Ramayana by Lala Baij Nath

Picture Credit: Padmavasan and RK Mutt

The devas were astonished that the epitome of adharma could merge with Rama in this way. Narada explained to them that Ravana had started being obsessed with Rama due to fear. He saw Rama everywhere towards the end of his life and even in his dreams. He also met his death at the hand of Rama himself.

This highlights an important concept of Hindu philosophy. One becomes what they meditate upon, whether out of love or fear. However, meditating out of love brings happiness in life.

This discussion is not in Ezhutachan’s Kilippattu.

Thereafter Rama consoled a distraught Vibhishana and asked him to prepare a proper and royal funeral for Ravana. He told Vibhishana that if anyone dies of Rama’s arrows, all his sins are dissolved. Also, all rivalry lasts only until death.

Lakshmana also tells Vibhishana not to be attached to a body or the concept of self. He explained an important concept – just like the world does not appear to exist for a person in deep sleep, a person who has given up the sense of “I” also is free of this world, even though he lives in it.

Adhyatma Ramayana repeatedly explains the concept of Maya through important events of Ramayana.

Picture Credit: J. Martin and Manoj Publications

Rama sent Hanumanji to convey the news of Ravana’s death to Sita and observe her facial expressions. Hanumanji reported back to Rama Sita’s desire to meet him as soon as possible.

Rama asked Sita why is there a scandal on her. He pretended to be angry and expressed his concerns. Sensing the discomfort of Rama, Sita Devi declared that she would enter the fire and let Agni judge her conduct during the period of abduction. Agni came from the flame along with Sita Devi and declared to Rama: "You had entrusted me, Sita, while you were in the forest and now, I am returning her to you. Do not entertain any doubts about her. Accept her as your queen."

In the Valmiki Ramayana, this episode is dramatic. Rama tells Sita that she is free to go anywhere and he has already done all he had to for safeguarding his family honour. Sita responds firmly to Rama asking him how in spite of living with her for so long, he can entertain such thoughts. She enters the fire willingly.

Additional Source: Adhyatma Ramayana by Lala Baij Nath

Picture Credit: D.D Dalvi and Navneet Publications

Indra prostrated at the feet of Rama and praised him. Rama asked Indra to grant favours to vanaras. All the dead vanaras would be revived and they would not remember the war at all. Any fruit they bite would turn sweet and any water they drink would feel like honey to them. Indra agreed and the vanaras woke up as if they were sleeping for a long time.

Shiva told Rama that Dasaratha has come to see him. Dasaratha embraced Rama. He told Rama that although Rama was his son, he has realized that Rama is Paramatma himself. With that realization, Dasaratha got relieved from the cycle of birth and death. He sought to be not swayed by the power of Rama’s Maya. All the celestials who had come to witness the victory of Rama returned to their abodes.

Picture Credit: J Martin and Manoj Publications

Divirumpola is the site where Sita met Rama after the war. This is also the place where the Agni Pareeksha of Sita was conducted. A stupa is built over the spot of Agni Pareeksha. A platform commemorates the place of Agnipareeksha. Divirumpola means oath at the rice fields. A wooden sculpture of Hanumanji carved out of a single mango tree is present here.

Source
Footsteps of Rama, Vikrant Pande and Neelesh Kulkarni.
Ramayana in Lanka

Picture Credit

www.flickr.comphotoslakpura

Rama's battle with Ravana raged on. As Ravana perpetually thought of Sita in his heart, it is believed that Rama could not shoot an arrow at his heart. It was predicted that Ravana will get frustrated and think of revenge on Rama and forget Sita. At that time Rama would be able to kill Ravana as Sita was no longer in his heart. At Dunuwila, Rama is believed to have drawn the brahmastra that killed Ravana.

Source
Footsteps of Rama, Vikrant Pande and Neelesh Kulkarni.

Picture Credit