Having spent the night there, those princes--repressors of their foes--
after paying their obeisance unto the Maharshi, set out for the
mountain. And seeing them about to set forth, that Maharshi performed a
propitiatory ceremony for them, even as a father does on behalf of the
sons begot from his own loins. And that mighty ascetic, Bharadwaja
having truth for his prowess, addressed them, saying,--"O best of men,
do you coming to the confluence of the Ganga and the Yamuna proceed
along the Kalindi river flowing westwards. Arriving at the Kalindi
running in a contrary direction, you will, O Raghava, behold a goodly
bathing place well-worn by foot-passengers. There constructing a raft,
do you cross over the river who is the daughter of the Sun. Next coming
to a gigantic banian tree with green foliage, named Syama, surrounded by
various trees and inhabited by ascetics of accomplished purposes, let
Sita with joined hands offer humble supplications to it. Having come to
the tree and, whether staying under it or proceeding along, after
passing only a _Krosa_, you will, O Rama, see a wood abounding in
Sallakis, Vadaris, and other wild trees belonging unto the Yamuna. I
went to Chitrakuta many a time by that road, which is beautiful, sandy,
and free from forest-fire." Having directed the way, the Maharshi
paused. Thereupon Rama, saying,--"So be it" asked him to stop. On the
ascetic turning away, Rama spoke unto Lakshmana, "We had surely acquired
religious merit, good betide you, since, the ascetic has shown
compassion unto us." Having thus conversed with each other, those
foremost of men endowed with intelligence, placing Sita in their front,
proceeded towards the river Kalindi. And having arrived at the Kalindi
of rapid currents, they desirous of crossing over, began I think (as to
the means). Then with heaps of dry wild wood covered with grass, they
constructed a large raft. And the puissant Lakshmana tearing twigs from
the ratan and the rose-apple, made a comfortable seat for Sita. Then
Dacaratha's son, Rama, made his bashful wife (in power) inconceivable
like unto Sree herself, ascend the raft, and carefully laid beside
Vaidehi her attires and ornaments as well as the hoe and the basket. And
first having placed Sita on the raft, those sons of Dacaratha ascended
themselves, and with glad hearts began carefully to cross (the stream).
Having come near the middle of the Kalindi, Sita prayed unto her,
saying, --"Hail to thee, O goddess! I cross thee. If my husband can
successfully perform his vow, I will worship thee with a thousand cows
and an hundred vessels of wine, hail unto thee, upon Rama's return to
the city ruled by Ikshwaku." Having thus prayed to Kalindi with joined
hands, that virtuous lady, Sita, reached the southern bank thereof. And
by means of that raft they crossed that fleet-coursing daughter of the
Sun, heaving with billows--the river Yamuna with her banks abounding
with innumerable trees. Then renouncing the raft, and passing by the
woods adjoining the Yamuna, they came upon a banian Syama by name, of
cool shade and verdant foliage. On coming to the banian, Vaidehi saluted
it saying,--"O mighty tree, I bow unto thee. May my husband fulfil his
vow; and may we behold Kaucalya and the illustrious Sumitra." Having
thus prayed with joined hands, the intelligent Sita went away. Seeing
the blameless and beloved Sita ever conducting herself
properly,--praying, Rama said unto Lakshmana, "Do thou, O younger
brother of Bharata, taking Sita with thee, go forward. O best of men,
furnished with weapons, I will go in thy wake. Do thou procure Vaidehi
with whatever fruits or flowers may please her and she may wish to
have." Seeing every tree and shrub crowned with blossoms unseen before,
that one belonging to the softer sex questioned Rama about it. And
hearing Sita's words, Lakshmana brought unto her (fruits and flowers) of
beautiful and flower-scattering trees of divers kinds. And beholding
streams with water flowing over glittering sands and resounding with
cranes of various kinds, the daughter of king Janaka felt exceeding
delight. And having proceeded just a _Krosa_, those brothers, Rama and
Lakshmana, having killed many a sacred deer, began to range in the woods
of the Yamuna. And having disported in the beautiful woods resounding
with multitudes of peacocks and inhabited by elephants and monkeys, they
looking as lively as ever, coming to the level banks of the river, took
up their quarters there.