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.