Doha - 81
"Too tender-bodied are the two princes and delicate of frame is Janaka's daughter. Pick them up on the chariot, show them round the forest and return after three or four days."
Chaupala
"If the two strong-minded brothers refuse to return-for the Lord of Raghus is true to his word and firm of resolve,--then do you entreat him with joined palms: `My lord, kindly send back the daughter of Mithila' king.' when Sita gets alarmed at the sight of the jungle, availe yourself of that opportunity and tell her my advice in the following words. "The parents of your husband have sent this message to you: Please return home, my daughter; there is much hardship in the forest. Now with your parents and now in your husband's home-stay wherever you please. In this way try all possible means; If she comes back, there will be a support to my life. Otherwise all this will end my death; nothing can avail against an adverse fate. " So saying the king dropped unconscious on the ground exclaiming: "Bring Rama, Laksmana and Sita and show them to me!"
Doha - 82
Receiving the king's command Sumantra bowed his head to him and having got ready a most swift chariot went to the outskirts of the city, where Sita and the two proncely brothers were.
Chaupala
Then Sumantra delivered to them the king's message and with humble submission persuaded Sri Rama to ascend the charit. Having mounted the chariot Sita and the two brothers set out on their journey mentally bowing their head to Ayodhyaa. Finding Ayodhyaa masterless with the departure of Sri Rama all those who had assembled there followed in their wake with an agitated mind. Sri Rama remonstarated in many ways, an ocean of compassion that He was; and the crowed turned homewards. But dragged by the affection they bore for Him they came back and joined the party once more. Ayodhyaa presenteed a most dismal appearance as though it were the dark night of final dissolution of the universe. The men and women of the city looked like ghastly creatures and were frightened to see one another. Their houses appeared like so many crematories, theri retainers like ghosts, and their sons. relations and friends like messengers of death. Trees and creepers in the gardens withered, while streams and ponds repelled the eyes.
Doha - 83
The numberless horses and elephants, animals kept for pleasure, urban cattle, Cataka birds, peacocks, Cakravakas parrots and Mainas, cranes, swans and Cakoras --
Chaupala
All stood restless due to their separation from Sri Rama they looked like so many pictures drawn here and there. The city resembled and extensive and thick forest full of fruits and the many men and women residing therein represented so many birds and beasts. God assigned Kaikeyi the role of a Bhila woman who set the whole forest in a fierce blaze. The people could not bear the fire of separation from the Chief of Raghus and they all ran away in distress. They all came to this conclusion in their mind: "There can be no happiness without Rama, Laksmana and Sita. The whole community will live where Rama takes up his abode; without the Hero of Raghu's race we have no business in Ayodhya." Having thus firmly resolved they followed Him forsaking their happy homes, which were the envy of gods. Can the pleasures of sense overpower thsoe who hold the lotus feet of Sri Rama dear to their heart?
Doha - 84
Leaving the children and aged people in their homes all the citizens accompanied Sri Rama. And the Lord of Raghus made His first day's halt on the bank of the Tamasa.
Chaupala
When the Lord of Raghus saw His people overwhelmed with love, His tender heart, was much afflicted. Lord Sri Rama, who is all compassion, is readily touched by others' pain. Addressing them in affectionate, soft and agreeable tones, He comforted all in ways more than one. He also gave them varied instructions in their moral duty; but overmastered by love they would not turn back even though urged to return. Sri Rama could not afford to take leave of His amiable disposition and loving nature; the Lord of Raghus thus found Himself in a fix. Overpowered by grief and toil the people fell asleep and the deluding potency of gods further helped to benumb their mind. When two watches of the night had passed, Sri Rama addressed the minister in endearing terms, "Father, drive the chariot in such a way as to mix up the tracks: by no other means can our object be accomplished."
Doha - 85
Bowing their head to the feet of Lord Sambhu (Siva) Sri Rama, Laksmana and Sita mounted the car; and the minister (Sumantra) immediately drove the chariot now in one direction and now in another, thus confusing the tracks.
Chaupala
All the people woke up at daybreak. "The Lord of Raghus has gone!" they loudly exclaimed. Nowhere could they find the tracks of the chariot and ran about in all directions crying "Rama, O Rama!" It seemed as if a bark had foundered in the ocean, as a result of which the party of merchants that had boarded it felt much agitated. Everyone explained to the other how Rama had forsaken them perceiving their distress. They condemned themselves and praised the fish (that died as soon as they were taken out of water ) and said to one another; "A curse on our life without the Hero of Raghu's race ! If God has torn us from our beloved, why did He not vouchsafe death to us on our asking?" Thus wailing in a variety of ways they all returned to Ayodhya full of remorse. The anguish of parting was terrible beyond words. Everyone survived in the hope of seeing Rama on the expiry of the term of exile.
Doha - 86
Men and women alike started religious observances and fasts for ensuring Sri Rama's return. They were as miserable as the male and female. Cakravaka birds and the lotus flower are in the absence of the sun.
Chaupala
Accompanied by Sita and the minister the two brothers arrived at Srigaverapura. Beholding the celestial stream, Ganga, Sri Rama alighted from His car and fell prostrate on the ground with great joy. Laksmana, Sita and the minister too made obeisance and Sri Rama rejoiced in common with them all. A fount of all joys and blessings, the Ganga brings all delight and drives away all sorrow. Narrating numerous anecdotes connected with it, Sir Rama gazed on the waves of the Ganga and told the minister, His younger brother (Laksmana) and His beloved Consort the transcendent glory of the celestial stream. They took a plunge in the river and the fatigue of the journey was gone; and their hearts rejoiced when they drank of its holy water. That He whose very thought relieves the great toil of transmigration should feel fatigued shows that He imitated the ways of the world.
Doha - 87
The Glory of Raghu's race, who is a fountain of pure existence, knowledge and bliss, performed actions similar to those of a human being, and which constitute a bridge to cross the ocean of mundane existence.
Chaupala
When Guha, the Nisada , got this news, he gladly called together his near and dear ones and taking by way of presents fruits and roots in baskets slung across their shoulders, he proceeded to meet the Lord with infinite joy in his heart. Prostrating himself on the ground and placing the presents before the Lord he gazed on Him with great affection. The Lord of Raghus, who is won by natural affection, seated him by His side and inquired about his welfare. "The sight of your lotus feet, my lord, is the root of all welfare; I can now count myself as a blessed man. My land, house and fortune are yours holy sir; my family and myself are your humble servants. Do me the favour of visiting my town and confer dignity on me. Let everyone envy my lot." "Everything you have said is true, may wise friend; but my father has commanded me otherwise.
Doha - 88
"For four years and ten my home shall be in the woods and my mode of life, dress and food shall be that of a hermit. Hence my staying in a village would be hardly advisable. " Guha was deeply distressed to hear this.
Chaupala
Beholding the beauty of Sri Rama. Laksmana and Sita, men women of the village feelingly said, "What sort op parents, O friend, can they be who have sent such children to the forest?" Other people said, "The king has done well in that God has therby rewarded our eyes." The Chief of the Nisadas then pondered within himself and perceived a charming Asoka tree. He took the Lord of Raghus to the spot and showed it to Him, when Sri Rama declared that the place was beautiful in every way. The people of the town then returned home after paying their respects to Him, while the Chief of Raghus retired for performing His evening devotions. In the meantime Guha prespared a soft and beautiful bed of Kusa grass and tender leaves and spred it on the ground. He also placed besides Him with his own hands gups of leaves full fruits and roots which he knew to be pure, delicious and soft.
Doha - 89
Having partaken of the bulds, roots and fruits along with Sita, Sumantra and His brother (Laksmana), the Jewel of Raghu's race lay down to sleep, while His brother kneaded His feet.
Chaupala
When Laksmana perceived that his lord had fallen asleep, he rose and asked the minister in soft accents to retire. As for himself he got ready his bow and arrows and sitting at some distance in the posture of a hero he kept watch. Guha called his trusted watchmen and stationed them at different points with great love; while he himself went and took his seat beside Laksmana with a quiver fastened to his waist and an arrow fitted to his bow. When the Nisada chief saw his lord lying (on a bed of grass and leaves) he felt great sorrow in his heart due to excess of love:; the hair on his body bristled, tears flowed from his eyes and he addressed the following affectionate words to Laksmana: "The king's palace is naturally charming; even Indra's residence can hardly stand comparison with it. Its beautiful attics are built of precious gems and are so lovely as though the god of love has constructed them with his own hands. "
Doha - 90
"Free from impurities, exceedingly marvellous of design, abounding in exquisite Iuxuries and scented with the fragrance of flowers, they furnished with lovely beds and lighted with gems and are full amenities of every description."
Chaupala
"Again they are equipped with coverlets and sheets, pillows and cushions of various kinds-all soft, white and charming as the froth of milk. It is in such attics that Sita and Rama used to sleep at night and humbled by their beauty the pride of Rati and her consort, the god of love. Those very Sita and Rama are now lying on a pallet, exhausted and uncovered, a sight one cannot bear to see. The same Lord Rama whom his father and mother, his own family and the people of the city, his good-natured companions, men-servants and maid-servants, all cherished as their own life, sleeps on the ground! Nay, Sita, wholse father Janaka is famed throught the world, whose father-in-law is King Dasaratha, the chief of Raghus and an ally of Indra (the lord of immortals) and whose spouse is Ramacandra, is lying on the ground! An adverse fate spares none. Do Sita and the Hero of Raghu's race deserve to be exiled to the woods? They rightly say: Fate is supreme.'