Skanda Purana — Avanti Khanda, Shloka 4
ततः सीतां समासाद्य समं वानरपुंगवैः । रामोऽप्ययोध्यामायातो भरतेन कृतोत्सवः । तस्मै समर्पयामास स राज्यं लक्ष्मणाग्रजः
tataḥ sītāṃ samāsādya samaṃ vānarapuṃgavaiḥ | rāmo'pyayodhyāmāyāto bharatena kṛtotsavaḥ | tasmai samarpayāmāsa sa rājyaṃ lakṣmaṇāgrajaḥ
তারপর সীতাকে পুনরুদ্ধার করে, বানরশ্রেষ্ঠ বীরদের সঙ্গে রাম অযোধ্যায় এলেন, যেখানে ভরত উৎসবের আয়োজন করেছিলেন; লক্ষ্মণের অগ্রজ রাম রাজ্য ভরতকে অর্পণ করলেন।
Śiva (Īśvara) (continuing the itihāsa)
Tirtha: Ayodhyā
Type: kshetra
Listener: Skanda
Scene: Rāma returns to Ayodhyā with Sītā and the vānara heroes; Bharata welcomes with festivities; Rāma entrusts the kingdom—scene of orderly transition and devotion.
FAQs
Rāma’s conduct highlights rāja-dharma—rightful governance, gratitude, and orderly restoration after victory.
Ayodhyā is referenced as the epic location; the verse functions as itihāsa rather than tīrtha-stuti.
Utsava (celebrations/royal festivities) is mentioned as performed by Bharata, not as a general ritual rule.