When Lakṣmaṇa arrived, Rāma—ever composed and affectionate—greeted him warmly. “You have come just as I wished, dear Lakṣmaṇa, at the perfect time,” he said. Rāma expressed his intention to give away all his wealth, inviting Lakṣmaṇa to join him in offering it to the Brāhmaṇas and ascetics. He pointed out that the foremost Brāhmaṇas, steadfast in their devotion, as well as all his dependents, dwelled nearby. But first, Rāma asked Lakṣmaṇa to bring Suyajña, the noble son of Vasiṣṭha, who was renowned among the twice-born. Rāma declared that he would soon depart for the forest, but not before honoring all the distinguished and other Brāhmaṇas. Lakṣmaṇa, understanding his brother’s dear and beneficial command, quickly made his way to Suyajña’s residence. Entering the fire-chamber, Lakṣmaṇa bowed respectfully and invited Suyajña, saying, “Friend, come with me and see the house of one who performs difficult deeds.” After Suyajña had completed his twilight worship, he accompanied Lakṣmaṇa and entered the splendid, prosperous house of Rāma. Rāma honored Suyajña with gifts: excellent golden armlets, beautiful earrings, necklaces threaded with gold, gems, bracelets, and bangles. At Sītā’s urging, Rāma spoke further, “Gentle one, please accept a necklace and a golden chain for your wife. Sītā, my companion, wishes to give her a girdle as well.” Sītā also offered splendid anklets and beautiful armlets for Suyajña’s wife, who was preparing to go to the forest. Vaidehī requested that Suyajña arrange for a couch, excellently spread and adorned with various jewels. Rāma gifted Suyajña the elephant Śatruṃjaya, which his maternal uncle had given him, along with a thousand gold coins. Suyajña graciously accepted these gifts and bestowed auspicious blessings upon Rāma, Lakṣmaṇa, and Sītā. Rāma then addressed his dear brother Saumitri with kindness, as Brahmā would address the lord of the gods. He instructed Lakṣmaṇa to honor Agastya and Kauśika, the two foremost Brāhmaṇas, inviting them with jewels as crops are nourished with water. “Satisfy them with a thousand cows, with gold and silver, with gems and great wealth,” Rāma said. He also mentioned the teacher of the Taittirīyas, learned in the Vedas and devoted, who attended upon Kausalyā with blessings. “Give him a vehicle, attendants, and silk garments, Saumitri, as much as that Brāhmaṇa desires.” Rāma continued, “And the charioteer Citraratha, the honored counselor who has long served—satisfy him as well with costly jewels, garments, and wealth. With all the herds and a thousand cows, and those many Kaṭhaka reciters and staff-bearing youths here—since they are always devoted to their daily recitation and do nothing else, though indolent and fond of comfort, yet respected by the great—provide for them eighty vehicles filled with jewels, two hundred fine oxen, and a thousand measures of rice. For their maintenance, give a thousand cows. A great assembly of girdled women has come to Kausalya—give each of them a thousand, Saumitri. So that my mother Kausalya may rejoice in her offering, honor all those twice-born ones completely, Lakṣmaṇa.” Lakṣmaṇa, best of men, carried out Rāma’s instructions, distributing wealth to the foremost Brahmins like the god of wealth himself. Then, his throat choked with tears, he addressed the dependents, having given them much wealth and provided for their livelihood. “Let the house of Lakṣmaṇa and this house of mine not be empty for each one until my return,” he said. He spoke to the treasurer, instructing him to bring all his wealth. The dependents brought forth a great heap of riches, impressive to behold. Together with Lakṣmaṇa, Rāma distributed this wealth to the Brahmins, to the young and old, and to the needy. Among them was a tawny-haired Brahmin of the Garga lineage named Trijaṭa, who lived by tilling the forest, always using his plough and spade. His young wife, bringing their children, urged him, “Set aside the plough and spade, do as I say; show yourself to righteous Rāma—perhaps you will obtain something.” Trijaṭa, radiant like Bhrigu and Angiras, made his way unhindered up to the fifth enclosure of the assembly. Approaching Rāma, he said, “Prince, mighty one, I am poor and have many children. I always live by tilling the forest; please consider me.” Rāma replied with a touch of humor, “Not even a single one of a thousand cows has been given by me; as much as you encircle with your staff, that much you shall receive.” Eagerly, Trijaṭa wrapped his cloth around his waist, took up his staff, and hurled it with all his strength, determined to claim the wealth Rāma had promised.