In the depths of hell, King Dasharatha endured unspeakable torment. He was dried out, torn apart, burned again, and submerged in dreadful places—his suffering in those terrible hells was relentless. Meanwhile, Rāma continued his journey. He arrived at Citrakūṭa, and three years passed there in that sacred place. Then, turning toward the south, he entered the Daṇḍaka forest, renowned throughout the three worlds as a land that bestows merit. This forest was vast and fearsome, haunted by demons. The sages, out of fear, had abandoned it. But Rāma, after slaying the demons and rākṣasas, wandered through Daṇḍaka and made it a place once again frequented by sages. O Nārada, let me recount to you carefully what happened next. Rāma slowly advanced, covering five yojanas, and reached the Gautamī river. At that time, King Dasharatha remained in hell, suffering. Yama, lord of the southern direction, spoke to his attendants: "Rāma, son of Dasharatha, is approaching the Gautamī river, near his wise father. Now draw the king out from the hells—there is no doubt. After crossing the Gautamī, Rāma will have covered five yojanas. As long as Rāma has not crossed, let his father not be tormented in hell. If my messengers fail to carry out this meritorious command, they themselves will be plunged into dreadful hell. Whatever supreme power is associated with Śiva—let it be so. The Gautamī, whom the virtuous call the embodiment of water, is honored and worshipped by Hari, Brahmā, and Maheśa. No one can cross over the sin born of transgression, but even a sinner, if he remembers Gaṅgā, or if his son does so, is freed from many terrible hells and attains liberation. What then of a son like Rāma, standing near the Gautamī? No one can make Dasharatha suffer in hell, hearing the command of the lord of the southern direction." Thus, Yama’s attendants rescued King Dasharatha, lord of Ayodhya, from the torments of hell. They addressed him, saying, "Blessed are you, O best of kings, for you have such a son. In this world and the next, who obtains rest through a worthy son?" As Dasharatha found repose, he slowly spoke to the attendants: "While I was being tormented again and again in these terrible hells, how was I swiftly drawn out? You ought to tell me this." One with a tranquil mind replied, "This is a secret kept in the Vedas, scriptures, and Purāṇas, but it is revealed to you because of the power of your son and the sanctity of this pilgrimage. Your illustrious son Rāma has come to the bank of the Gautamī; therefore, O best of men, you have been drawn out from dreadful hell. If Rāma, along with Lakṣmaṇa, remembers you there at the Gautamī, bathes, and offers you piṇḍa and other rites, then, O best of kings, you will be freed from all sins and ascend to heaven. I will go and convey your words to your sons; you alone are our refuge, and you ought to grant permission." Hearing the king’s words, the attendants of Yama, moved by compassion, granted him leave, and Dasharatha went towards his sons. He had assumed a terrifying body, marked by torment; he sighed repeatedly, looked at himself in shame, and remembered the deeds he had done. Rāghava, wandering as he wished, reached the Gaṅgā. Rāma, Lakṣmaṇa, and Sītā took refuge on the bank of the Gautamī. There, together with Sītā, Rāma bathed according to prescribed rites. Yet, on the bank of the Gautamī, there was neither food nor anything to eat. That day, as they stayed among the dwellers on the bank of the Gautamī, Lakṣmaṇa, distressed, spoke to Rāma, "We are the sons of Daśaratha, and your strength is such; yet there is no food for us or for the dwellers on the bank of the Gaṅgā. Brother, whatever deed is ordained cannot be otherwise; though the earth is full of food, we are desirous of food." Rāma replied, "Saumitri, surely we have not offered oblations into the mouths of Brāhmaṇas; out of neglect, we have not satisfied or worshipped the deities of the earth. Those who are always hungry are born thus; after bathing and worshipping the gods, one should offer oblations into the fire. Then, at the proper time, the god will provide us with food." As the two brothers conversed, observing the course of events, King Dasharatha gradually arrived at that place. Seeing him, Lakṣmaṇa quickly said, "Stop, stop!" and, drawing his bow in anger, declared, "You are a demon or a rākṣasa!" Again, seeing him approach, Rāma, son of Dasharatha, said, "Go, go! Here is a righteous king, a virtuous man; observe how he stands. Where Raghava stands, devoted to his elders, steadfast in truth, serving gods and brahmins, and skilled in protecting the three worlds, there is no entry for those like you, who perform evil deeds. If you enter, you will surely meet your death." Hearing his sons’ words, Dasharatha slowly called and spoke, becoming downcast, with folded hands to his daughter-in-law and sons, repeatedly pondering the fate of one who has committed evil. "I am King Dasharatha; listen, my sons, to my words. Surrounded by three acts of brahma-hatya, I have come into suffering. Behold my body, severed and cast into hell." Then Rāma, Sītā, and Lakṣmaṇa, with joined palms, bowed to the earth. All of them spoke these words, honoring their father and the sacred moment.