Rāma, the noblest among the virtuous, spoke with calm resolve: “O lord of the world, what need have I for an army? Let all return home; bring me only garments of bark.” He requested the spade and basket as well, declaring his intention to dwell in the forest for fourteen years. Before the assembled crowd, Kaikeyī herself, shameless and determined, brought the bark garments to Rāghava and said, “Put these on.” Rāma, the tiger among men, accepted the bark attire from Kaikeyī, set aside his fine clothes, and dressed himself as an ascetic. Lakshmana, too, before his father, laid aside his splendid garments and donned the ascetic’s covering. Sītā, clad in silk, gazed at the bark garment with fear, like a startled doe caught in a snare. The daughter of Janaka, blessed with auspicious marks, took the kusa-grass garment from Kaikeyī, her eyes downcast, troubled, and ashamed. Her eyes filled with tears, Sītā—devoted to righteousness—spoke to her husband, who shone like a king among Gandharvas: “How do the sages wear such bark garments in the forest?” Unskilled in such matters, Sītā fainted repeatedly. With trembling hands, she took a piece of bark and awkwardly placed it around her neck, standing embarrassed and unpracticed. Rāma, foremost among the righteous, quickly came to her and himself tied the bark garment over Sītā’s silk attire. Seeing Rāma do this, the women of the inner apartments wept, tears streaming from their eyes. Dependent on Rāma, they pleaded, “Child, this noble lady is not meant for such a forest dwelling. By your father’s command you go to the lonely forest; let us be fulfilled by seeing her. Go, dear child, with Lakshmana as your companion; this blessed lady is not fit to live in the forest as an ascetic. Grant us this request: let Sītā, radiant one, remain here; you, ever devoted to righteousness, do not wish to stay yourself now.” Hearing their words, Rāma, son of Dasharatha, tied the bark garment on Sītā, who was equal to him in character. When Sītā had taken the bark garment, the king’s venerable priest, his eyes brimming with tears, restrained Sītā and spoke to Kaikeyī: “You have gone too far, evil-minded Kaikeyī, disgrace of your lineage; having deceived the king, you do not abide by what is right. Sītā, lacking in proper conduct, must not go to the forest, O Queen; Sītā will perform her proper duties for Rāma here. For all who are married, their wives are their very selves; considering her as his own self, Rāma will protect the earth.” He continued, “Now, as Vaidehī departs for the forest with Rāma, we will follow them if this city is to be abandoned. The guards, the people, the kingdom, the city, and its attendants—all will go wherever Rāghava goes with his wife. Bharata and Shatrughna, clad in bark, will dwell in the forest, following Kakutstha, their elder brother. Then, with the earth emptied of people and only trees remaining, you alone will rule, wicked one, standing against the people’s welfare. For that will not be a kingdom where Rāma is not king; the forest will become the kingdom where Rāma dwells. Bharata does not wish to rule the land not given by his father, nor to live with you as a son, if he is truly born of the king. Even if you rise from earth to sky, he who knows the conduct of his ancestors will not act otherwise. Thus, by your greed for your son, you have wronged him; in this world, there is no one who is not devoted to Rāma. Today, Kaikeyī, you will see beasts, wild animals, birds, and trees all turning toward Rāma as he departs.” He implored, “O queen, give the finest ornaments to your daughter-in-law, removing the bark garment; Vasiṣṭha forbade that garment, saying it should not be given to her. For the residence of Rāma alone in the forest has been chosen by you, daughter of the king of Kekaya; yet she, always adorned, will live in the forest with Rāghava. Let the princess go, well attended by the finest vehicles and servants, with all kinds of garments and arrangements; she is not bound by your grant of the boon.” As Sītā, protected yet as if unprotected, put on the bark garment, all the people cried out, “Shame on you, Daśaratha!” Distressed by their outcry, the king lost faith in life, virtue, and his own honor. The Ikṣvāku king sighed deeply and spoke to his wife: “Kaikeyī, Sītā should not go wearing a garment of kuśa grass. She is delicate, young, and always accustomed to comfort; my teacher has truly said she is not fit for the forest. She does nothing for anyone, this ascetic daughter of the best king; standing in the midst of the people, wearing bark, she appears senseless, like some wandering mendicant.” He declared, “Let the daughter of Janaka cast off these garments of bark; I have never before made such a vow. Let the princess go to the forest as she wishes, taking all her ornaments and treasures.