In
the concluding portions,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 Takshasila,to the east of
the Indus,and known to Alexander and the Greeks as Taxila.The latter founded
Pushkalavathy ,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 4th Century
before Christ.
Lakshman
had two sons Angada and Chandrakethu.The former founded the kingdom of Karupada
and the latter found the city of Chandrakanthy in the Malwa Country.Satrughna
had two sons too named Suvahu and Satrughati.The former became the King of
Mathura and the latter ruled in Visisha.
Rama
had two sons Lava and Kusa.The former ruled Sravasti which was the capital of
Oudh.The latter founded Kusavathy at the foot of the Vindhya Mountains.
The
death of Rama and his brothers are in accordance with Hindu ideas of the death
of the righteous.Lakshman died under some what peculiar circumstances.A
messenger from heaven sought a secret conference with Rama and Rama placed
Lakshman at the gate, with strict injunctions that those who intrude 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 order pass by Rama,Lakshman took his own life by penances and went to
heaven.In the fullness of time,Rama and his other brothers left Ayodhya
,crossed the Sarayu,surrendered their mortal like and entered heaven.
|