The night being over, Lakshmana, with a poor heart and dried
countenance, addressed Sumantra, saying:—"O charioteer, do thou soon
yoke quick-coursing steeds to an excellent chariot, and for Sitā place
an excellent seat on the car. At the command of the King, I shall take
Sitā to the hermitage of the ascetics ever engaged in pious actions. Do
thou soon bring the chariot here." Obeying the mandate, and bringing a
beautiful and holy car drawn by first-rate steeds and having excellent
seats, he said to Saumitri, the enhancer of friends’ honor "O lord, here
is the chariot ready—do thou now satisfy thine desire." Hearing the
words of Sumantra, Lakshmana, the foremost of men, approached Sitā in
the inner apartment and said:—"O queen, thou didst request the king to
show thee the hermitage—the king too did promise—he hath now commanded
me to take thee there. Do thou therefore follow me, at the command of
the king. I shall, at his behest, take thee to the forest where dwell
many an ascetic." Hearing the words of the high-souled Lakshmana, Jānaki
attained to excessive delight and became anxious to go. Taking various
jewels and costly clothes she said to Lakshmana on the eve of her
departure—"I shall confer these ornaments, these costly clothes and
riches on the female ascetics." Saying "We shall do the same," he made
Sitā ascend the car and remembering Rāma’s command proceeded, being
carried by quick-coursing steeds. Thereupon Sitā said to Lakshmana, the
enhancer of prosperity:—"O descendent of Raghu, I behold many
inauspicious omens. My right eye and body are trembling. My mind is
growing depressed. It is stricken with anxiety and I have accordingly
grown restless. I behold the earth as void of all happiness. O thou fond
of brothers—hath thy brother met with any calamity? Are all my
mothers-in-law and subjects well?" Saying this Sitā, with folded hands,
began to pray unto gods. Hearing this Lakshmana bowed unto her touching
the ground with his crown, and though greatly sorry, said as if
delighted "All well." Thereupon having arrived at the hermitage situate
on the banks of Gomati Lakshmana spent the night there. Thereupon at
dawn he rose up and asked the charioteer to get the chariot ready,
saying, "Like unto the powerful Mahādeva we shall hold the waters of the
Bhāgirathi on our head." Thereupon Sumantra yoked the horses, gifted
with the fleet course of the mind, to the chariot and with folded hands
said to Sitā. "Do thou ascend the car." According to the request of the
intelligent charioteer, Sitā, with Lakshmana, ascended that excellent
conveyance. In no time the daughter of Janaka, having expansive eyes,
arrived at the banks of the Ganges removing all sins, Reaching the
currents of Bhāgirathi before noon Lakshmana, on beholding her, cried
aloud. Thereupon beholding Lakshmana thus distressed, Sitā, conversant
with piety, waxing anxious said. "Why art thou weeping, Lakshmana? I
have reached the banks of Janhavi, for which I have so long desired. So
this is the time for rejoicing and do not give me pain at this time. O
foremost of men, thou dost spend thine days and nights in the company of
Rāma, Thou hast left him for two days only—art thou sorry for this?
Lakshmana—Rāma is also dearer than my life—but I am not so sorry—do thou
not be therefore overwhelmed with grief. Do thou take me to the other
side of the Ganges so that I may behold the ascetics and confer upon
them clothes and ornaments. Thereupon saluting them duly and spending a
night we shall return to the capital. I am also anxious to sec Rāma,
having eyes like lotus petals, breast like that of a lion and foremost
of men." Hearing the words of Sitā and wiping his beautiful eyes,
Lakshmana, the slayer of enemies, sent for boatmen. As soon as they were
called, with folded hands they said. "The boat is ready." Having then
brought a boat to cross the holy Ganges Lakshmana, with a quiescent
mind, took her to the other side.