The great sage addressed Rāma and his companions, inviting them to see their own sacred well—a place that removes all separation and grants unity to all who approach it. He explained that, whether in this world or the next, whether living or departed, simply hearing these words brings freedom from separation. Hearing this, Rāma, the noble elder brother of Lakṣmaṇa, was deeply moved. As dusk settled, Rāma’s thoughts turned to his beloved father, King Daśaratha, to his brothers Bharata and Śatrughna, to his mothers, and to the citizens of Ayodhyā. Immersed in these memories, Rāghava and the assembled sages performed their evening worship as twilight descended. That night, Rāma slept with his brothers and their wives, and when dawn broke, he found himself, as if in a vision, back in Ayodhyā after his wedding, surrounded by his father, mother, and a host of relatives. Seated with his wife, encircled by sages, Rāma was seen in this way by Lakṣmaṇa and Sītā as well. In the morning, the sages recounted all that had occurred in this wondrous vision, affirming, “So it is, O best of the Raghu dynasty, this is true.” The sages instructed Rāma that, when one sees the departed in a dream, it is prescribed to perform the śrāddha rite, for the ancestors desire nourishment and growth. They reveal themselves in dreams to the devoted, assuring Rāma that there is no real separation from his brothers, father, or Bharata. The sages reminded him that soon fourteen years of exile would be completed, and so he should now perform the śrāddha for King Daśaratha. All the sages—Jamadagni, Bhāradvāja, Lomaśa, Devarāta, and Śamīka—stood ready to assist, and they urged Rāma to gather the necessary offerings. The chief items for the rite were cakes made of ingudi flour, jujube and āmalaka fruits, ripe coconuts, and a variety of roots. Meat obtained along the way and different grains were also to be offered, so that the brāhmaṇas might be satisfied. The sages explained that anyone who, with self-control and a disciplined diet, performs offerings to the ancestors upon reaching the Puṣkara forest, attains the merit of an aśvamedha sacrifice. Then, announcing their intention to bathe in the sacred waters of Puṣkara, the sages departed. Rāma turned to Lakṣmaṇa and instructed him to bring a pure-eyed deer fit for sacrifice, a hare, black greens, honey, the best lemons, various roots, ripe kapittha fruits, and any other suitable offerings. Lakṣmaṇa hurried to fulfill these requests, and Rāma set about gathering branches of jujube and ingudi trees, as well as many roots, constructing a large hut for the ritual. Janaki, devoted Sītā, carefully cooked the food until it was ready and offered it to Rāma. After bathing in the yogic pond, Rāma attended to the sages. When the sun had passed its zenith and the time for the ritual arrived, all the invited sages assembled. Upon seeing the venerable brāhmaṇas, Sītā, daughter of Janaka, feeling shy, quietly withdrew and stood apart, her eyes wide with astonishment and her heart trembling with wonder. The brāhmaṇas, intent on the ceremony, did not recognize her. Rāma then fed the brāhmaṇas according to the prescribed rites, performing every Vedic ceremony as instructed. He followed the Purāṇic rituals, beginning with the Vaiśvadeva offering, and after the brāhmaṇas had eaten, he presented them with the ancestral offerings in proper order. Rāma gave gifts to the best of the brāhmaṇas as he was able, and once they had departed, he turned to his beloved Sītā. He gently asked her, “O lovely-browed one, why did you disappear when the sages arrived? Tell me the truth and the reason for your actions without delay. Whatever it may be, do not hide it from me; you are bound to me by my life and by Lakṣmaṇa’s, O pure-smiling one.” Thus addressed, Sītā stood with her face lowered in modesty, tears streaming down her cheeks, and spoke to Rāghava: “Listen, my lord, to what I saw here, and the wonder of it. The king whom you revere, your father, has arrived here. Two others, adorned with all ornaments, were also present—three, O son of Raghu, embodied in the forms of brāhmaṇas. Among them, I saw your father, and witnessing this, I was overcome with shame and withdrew from your side. “You performed the śrāddha and fed the brāhmaṇas according to proper rites. Yet, how could these, clad in bark and deer skin, be the leaders of kings? I am the destroyer of enemies, this is truly spoken; the silk garments and those taken by Kaikeyi are gone. Since that time, I have dwelt in the forest, wearing only bark. Knowing this, I have said nothing, so that you might not suffer. “I do not even remember my mother or father, O scorcher of foes; when will the end of this forest exile come, O Rāghava? Thinking only of this, day after day passes, my lord, I swear by your feet. How could I, with my own hand, serve this food to the king—food that even the servant of servants would never partake of at any time?” Thus, Sītā revealed her heart to Rāma, sharing her wonder, her longing, and her deep sense of propriety and devotion.