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
Dann, nachdem er Sītā wiedergewonnen hatte, zusammen mit den vorzüglichsten der Vānara, kam auch Rāma nach Ayodhyā, wo Bharata ein Fest bereitet hatte. Darauf übergab Rāma, Lakṣmaṇas älterer Bruder, Bharata das Königreich.
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.