O best of the Raghu dynasty, there lies the delightful Aviyogā well, as well as another auspicious well filled with pure, clear water—a place of blessing and joy for the Raghus. It is said that by offering ancestral cakes at these sacred waters, the forefathers attain liberation; this was proclaimed by the Grandsire himself at the time of the great flood. Hearing this, Rāma was urged to go there and perform the prescribed rites again and again. Accepting this instruction with reverence, Rāma resolved in his heart to undertake the journey. He set out, crossing the Ṛkṣa mountains, passing through the city of Vaidīśa, and fording the river Carmaṇvatī. At last, he reached the Yajña mountain. Swiftly moving beyond, he arrived at the middle Puṣkara, where he performed the ancestral rites, satisfying his ancestors with water and honoring all the gods as well. After completing his ritual bath, the wise Rāma beheld the eminent sage Mārkaṇḍeya approaching, surrounded by his disciples. Rāma went forward, bowed respectfully, and asked, “O great lord, in which direction is the well that brings freedom from separation?” He introduced himself, saying, “I am Rāma, son of Daśaratha, known among men. I have come by Atri’s instruction to see that well of good fortune. May you, O blessed one, reveal to me the location of that place and those sacred wells.” Hearing this, Mārkaṇḍeya replied with joy, “Well done, O Rāghava! Blessed are you for coming here on this pilgrimage to the holy places. Come, see your own well—the well that removes separation. Indeed, in this very well, freedom from separation arises for all, both in this world and the next, whether living or departed.” Upon hearing these words, Rāma, the elder brother of Lakṣmaṇa, was filled with remembrance. He thought of his father, King Daśaratha, of Bharata and Śatrughna, of his mothers, and all the citizens of Ayodhyā. As these thoughts filled his mind, dusk descended. Together with the sages, Rāma performed the evening twilight worship. That night, Rāma slept there with his brothers and their wives. When dawn arrived, Rāghunandana awoke to find himself, it is said, in Ayodhyā—surrounded by his father, mother, and many relatives, as if after his wedding ceremony. He was seated with his wife, encircled by sages; Lakṣmaṇa and Sītā also saw him thus. In the morning, the sages recounted all that had occurred, affirming, “So it is, O best of the Raghu dynasty; this is true.” They explained, “It is prescribed that, upon seeing the deceased in a dream, one must perform the śrāddha rite, for the ancestors desire increase and long for offerings of food. They grant such visions in dreams to the devoted, O Rāghava. Know that there is no separation for you from your brothers, your father, or Bharata. Fourteen years will certainly be completed, O hero; therefore, perform the śrāddha for King Daśaratha.” The sages, devoted followers of Rāma, declared their readiness. “I, Jamadagni, Bhāradvāja, Lomaśa, Devarāta, and Śamīka—these six foremost twice-born are here. O mighty-armed one, bring the necessary items for your śrāddha. The chief offerings are cakes of ingudi flour, along with jujube and āmalaka fruits, ripe coconuts, and many kinds of roots, both common and rare. Also, with meat procured on the way and various grains, satisfy the brāhmaṇas by giving the śrāddha, O virtuous one.” They assured Rāma, “Whoever, with self-restraint and regulated diet, offers to the ancestors at the Puṣkara forest attains the fruit of an aśvamedha sacrifice. Now, for the sake of bathing, let us go to the great Puṣkara.” With these words, all the sages departed. Rāma then said to Lakṣmaṇa, “Bring me a pure-eyed deer fit for sacrifice, a hare, black greens, and honey. Also bring the best lemons, various roots, and ripe kapittha fruits, as well as any other fruits you can find. Quickly bring all these for the śrāddha, O Lakṣmaṇa.” At Rāma’s command, Lakṣmaṇa did everything accordingly. Rāma gathered branches of jujube and ingudi trees and various roots, and with these he constructed a large shelter in the shape of a hut. Janaki, Sītā, cooked the food until fully done and presented it to Rāma. After bathing in the yogic pond, Rāma attended to the sages. When the sun had passed midday and the time for ritual cooking arrived, all the invited sages came. Seeing them, Vaidehi, the daughter of Janaka, left Rāma’s side and, feeling shy, stood apart. Her eyes widened in astonishment, and she trembled as she pondered. The Brahmins, present for the śrāddha ceremony, did not recognize her. Rāma fed the Brahmins according to the prescribed remembrance and proper rites, performing all the Vedic ceremonies as instructed. He observed the ritual prescribed in the Purāṇas, beginning with the Vaiśvadeva offering. After the Brahmins had eaten, he presented them with the ancestral balls in proper order. Having given gifts to the best of the Brahmins according to his ability, and after they departed, Rāma turned to his beloved and asked, “O lovely-browed one, why did you disappear upon seeing the sages who had come here? Tell me the truth and the reason for all this without delay. Whatever the reason may be, let it not be hidden from me, for you are bound to me by my life and by Lakṣmaṇa’s, O pure-smiling one.