After respectfully bowing to the Brāhmaṇa who was engaged in the fire-chamber, Lakṣmaṇa spoke with warmth, “Friend, come with me and witness the home of one who accomplishes difficult deeds.” Together, after completing the twilight worship, Lakṣmaṇa and Saumitri entered the splendid and prosperous house of Rāma. Inside, Rāma, the descendant of Kakutstha, honored the Brāhmaṇa Suyajña with beautiful gifts: golden armlets, earrings, necklaces strung with golden threads, gems, bracelets, bangles, and many other radiant jewels. At Sītā’s gentle urging, Rāma addressed Suyajña, “Kind sir, please accept a necklace and a golden chain for your wife. Sītā, my companion, wishes to give her a girdle as well. For your wife who will accompany you to the forest, Sītā offers splendid anklets and beautiful armlets. Vaidehī also requests that you arrange a couch, excellently spread and adorned with various jewels. And this elephant named Śatruṃjaya, gifted to me by my maternal uncle, I now give to you, best of Brāhmaṇas, along with a thousand gold coins.” Receiving these generous gifts, Suyajña bestowed auspicious blessings upon Rāma, Lakṣmaṇa, and Sītā. Rāma then spoke kindly to his composed brother Saumitri, addressing him with the affection and dignity akin to Brahmā speaking to the lord of the gods. “Saumitri, honor Agastya and Kauśika, those two foremost Brāhmaṇas, inviting them with jewels as crops are nourished by water. O mighty-armed Rāghava, satisfy them with a thousand cows, gold and silver, gems, and great wealth. And remember the teacher of the Taittirīyas, learned in the Vedas and devoted, who attends upon Kausalyā with blessings—give him a vehicle, attendants, and silk garments, as much as he desires. Also, the charioteer Citraratha, the honored counselor who has long served—satisfy him with costly jewels, garments, and wealth. With all the herds and a thousand cows, provide for the many Kaṭhaka reciters and staff-bearing youths here. They are always devoted to their daily recitation, doing nothing else; though indolent and fond of comfort, they are respected by the great. For them, have eighty vehicles filled with jewels given, two hundred fine oxen, and a thousand measures of rice. And, Saumitri, for their maintenance, provide 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.” Following Rāma’s instructions, Lakṣmaṇa, best among men, distributed the wealth to the foremost Brāhmaṇas with the generosity of the god of wealth himself. Then, his throat choked with tears, Lakṣmaṇa addressed the dependents, having given them much wealth and ensured their livelihoods, “Let the house of Lakṣmaṇa and this house of mine not be empty for each one until my return.” He spoke these words to all the dependents, who were distressed, and then addressed the treasurer, “Bring my wealth.” Soon, the dependents brought forth the wealth, which was seen as an impressive heap. Rāma, the tiger among men, together with Lakṣmaṇa, distributed this wealth to Brāhmaṇas, young and old, and to the needy. Among those present was a tawny-haired Brāhmaṇa of the Garga lineage named Trijaṭa, who lived by tilling the forest, always using his plough and spade. His young wife, bringing their children, spoke to him, “Set aside the plough and spade, do as I say; show yourself to righteous Rāma—perhaps you will obtain something.” With a radiance equal to Bhrigu and Angiras, Trijaṭa was not stopped by anyone as he made his way through the assembly’s enclosures. Approaching Rāma, Trijaṭa spoke, “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, drew his staff, and hurled it with all his strength. The staff flew across the Sarayu river and landed amidst a great herd of cows, near the oxen. Embracing Trijaṭa on the bank of the Sarayu, the righteous Rāma led those cows toward Trijaṭa’s hermitage. Rāma gently consoled him, “You should not be angry; this was only a jest of mine. Indeed, this is your power, which is insurmountable. Wishing to know it, I urged you for this very reason. Now, choose any other boon you desire. I declare truthfully, you shall not be restrained by me. Whatever wealth of mine you wish, let it be properly given to you, so that I may gain both merit and fame.” Joyfully, the great sage Trijaṭa, with his wife, accepted the herd of cows, and in return offered blessings that increased Rāma’s fame, strength, and happiness.