As Rama prepared to depart for his exile in the forest, he requested that both the spade and basket be brought along, for he must dwell in the wilderness for fourteen years. Kaikeyi herself, undaunted before the assembled people, brought forth garments made of bark and presented them to Rama, saying, “Put these on.” Rama, the lion-hearted Raghava, accepted the bark attire from Kaikeyi, set aside his fine clothing, and donned the ascetic’s robes. Lakshmana too, in the presence of his father, relinquished his splendid garments and took up the ascetic’s covering without hesitation. Sita, adorned in silk, gazed upon the bark garment with trepidation, like a frightened doe confronted with a snare. The auspicious daughter of Janaka, overwhelmed and ashamed, took the kusa-grass garment from Kaikeyi with downcast eyes. Tears filled Sita’s eyes as she, wise and devoted to righteousness, addressed her husband, who shone like a king among Gandharvas. She asked, “How do the sages dwelling in the forest wear such bark garments?” Unskilled in such matters, Sita fainted repeatedly. Holding a piece of bark in her hand, she awkwardly tried to drape it around her neck, standing embarrassed and unpracticed. Seeing her distress, Rama, foremost among the righteous, swiftly came to Sita and himself tied the bark garment over her silk attire. Witnessing Rama dress Sita in the ascetic’s garb, the women of the palace wept, tears streaming from their eyes. Dependent on Rama, they pleaded with him, radiant as he was: “Child, this noble lady is not meant for such a forest dwelling. By your father’s command you go to the lonely forest; let our seeing her be fulfilled, O Lord. Go to the forest, dear child, with Lakshmana as your companion; this blessed lady is not fit to dwell in the forest like an ascetic. Grant us this request, son: let Sita, the radiant one, remain here; you, ever devoted to righteousness, do not wish to stay now yourself.” Despite their pleas, Rama, son of Dasharatha, tied the bark garment on Sita, who was equal to him in virtue. When Sita had taken the bark clothing, the king’s venerable priest, his eyes wet with tears, restrained her and spoke to Kaikeyi: “You have gone too far, evil-minded Kaikeyi, disgrace of your lineage; having deceived the king, you do not abide by what is right. Sita, lacking in proper conduct, must not go to the forest, O Queen; Sita will perform her proper duties for Rama here. For all who are married, their wives are their very selves; considering her as his own self, Rama will protect the earth.” The priest continued, “Now, as Vaidehi departs for the forest together with Rama, we will follow them from here, if this city is to be abandoned. The guards too will go wherever Raghava goes with his wife, along with the people who live by him, the kingdom, the city, and its attendants. Bharata, together with Shatrughna, clad in bark, will dwell in the forest, following Kakutstha, their elder brother, as he lives there. Then, with the earth emptied of people and only trees remaining, you alone will rule, wicked one, standing against the welfare of the people. For that will not be a kingdom where Rama is not king; that forest will become the kingdom where Rama 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 born of the king. Even if you rise from the earth to the sky, he who knows the conduct of his ancestors will not act otherwise. Thus, by you, greedy for your son, a wrong has been done to your son; in this world, there is no one who is not devoted to Rama. Today, Kaikeyi, you will see beasts, wild animals, birds, and trees all turning toward Rama as he departs.” He then addressed the queen: “Give the finest ornaments to your daughter-in-law, removing the bark garment; but Vasishta forbade that garment, saying it should not be given to her. For the residence of Rama 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 Raghava. 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 Sita, protected yet as if unprotected, put on the bark garment, the people cried out, “Shame on you, Dasharatha!” Distressed by their outcry, the king lost faith in life, virtue, and his own honor. The Ikshvaku king sighed deeply and spoke to his wife: “Kaikeyi, Sita should not go wearing a garment of kusa 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. 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. By me, who am unworthy of life, a cruel vow has been made and strictly kept. But you, out of childishness, have accepted this; do not let it burn you up, like fire consumes a dry reed.” Thus unfolded the poignant scene of Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana, as the hearts of all in Ayodhya were stirred by their devotion, the pain of separation, and the injustice wrought by Kaikeyi’s demands.