Chapter CXXI: Section XLVI

Then Raghava pausing on the banks of the Tamasa, looked at Sita and spake unto Sumitra's son, saying,-- "O son of Sumitra, this is the first night of our exile into the forest. From this day it behoveth thee not, good betide thee, to suffer thy mind to grieve (by dwelling on past joys.) The empty forest resounding with the cries of beasts and birds returned to their abodes, and covered with gloom, seems to weep on all sides. Doubtless to-day the men and women of Ayodhya, the metropolis of my father, are bewailing us retired to the forest. O foremost of men, the people are attached unto thyself, the monarch, Bliarata, Satrughna, and myself, because of our various good qualities. I bewail our father as well as my illustrious mother. I fear lest lamenting ceaselessly, they become blind. But surely the virtuous Bharata will console our father and mother with words fraught with virtue, interest and profit. Reflecting again and again on Bharata's sincerity of soul, I do not, O mighty- armed one, bewail either my mother or my father. O foremost of men, that thou hast followed me is what is thy duty. (If thou hadest not done so), I should have to seek elsewhere for the protection of Vaidehi. O Sumitra's son, I will spend here this night, subsisting on water alone. Even this recommends itself unto me, although the forest yields various kinds of fruits." Having said this unto Sumitra's son, Raghava spake unto Sumantra, saying,--"O mild one, do thou now needfully tend the horses." Then at sunset, fastening the horses, Sumantra fed them plentifully with grass, and then came back. Then seeing the night arrived, the charioteer worshipped the beneficent Sandhya, and then in company with Sumitra's son, prepared Rama's bed. And looking at that bed on the shores of the Tamasa surrounded by trees, Rama along with his wife and the son of Sumitra, lay down. When Lakshmana found that Rama afflicted with fatigue had slept together with his spouse, he began to speak unto the charioteer concerning the various qualities of Rama. As remaining awake in the night, Sumitra's son was engaged in expatiating to the charioteer on the virtues of Rama on the banks of the Tamasa, the sun arose.

Rama abode that night along with the subjects at some distance from the banks of the Tamasa filled with kine. Rising (from his bed), that highly energetic one, Rama, viewing the subjects (asleep), addressed his brother Lakshmana graced with auspicious marks,--"O son of Sumitra, these for our sake have disregarded their own homes, are asleep beneath the trees. These citizens have determined upon making me turn back from the forest,-- they would rather renounce their lives than give up their resolve. Let us while they are asleep ascending on our car, swiftly go our way without fear of molestation. Attached to me, the denizons of Ikshwaku's city will not again indulge in sleep underneath trees. A prince should deliver citizens from the calamity they bring upon themselves; but he should by no means drag them into those which he himself has brought on." Then Lakshmana spake unto Rama like unto manifest Virtue on earth,--"O wise one, even this is relished also by me. Do you speedily ascend (the car.)" Rama said unto the charioteer,--"Do thou at once yoke the car. I will repair to the forest. Do thou, my master, swiftly go hence." Thereupon the charioteer bestirring himself, yoking the excellent horses unto the car, said unto Rama with joined hands,-- "Here, O mighty-armed one, is your car ready yoked, O foremost of car-warriors. Do you speedily ascend, good betide you, along with Sita and Lakshmana." Ascending the car after equipping himself, Raghava crossed the rapidly- rushing Tamasa abounding in eddies. Having crossed (the stream), the auspicious and mighty-armed one came upon a safe and goodly high way capable of inspiring even timid people with confidence. But with the view of deluding the citizens, Rama said unto the charioteer.--"0 charioteer, do thou ascending the car proceed northwards; and having proceeded swiftly for a while, do thou turn the car. Do thou carefully act so that the citizens may not perceive this." Hearing Rama's words, the charioteer did accordingly. and having returned said unto Rama to ascend the car.

Then on those perpetuators of the Raghu race having along with Sita been seated on the car, the charioteer drove the horses by that road which conducted to the hermitage. Then placing the car with its face northwards for the purpose of invoking auspiciousness on their journey, that mighty charioteer, Dacaratha's son, established on the vehicle, set out for the forest.