As the previous episode of the Ramayana closes, the narrative resumes with Rama, the wise elder brother of Lakshmana, journeying through the delightful and vast lands of Kosala. With reverence, Rama folds his palms and speaks to his charioteer as they head toward Ayodhya. He bids farewell to the city, praising it as the best among cities, protected by the noble Kakutstha lineage, and salutes the deities who guard and dwell within its walls. Rama promises that, when his exile in the forest is fulfilled and his duty to the king is discharged, he will return to Ayodhya, reunited with his mother and father. Overcome with emotion, his eyes reddened with tears and his face sorrowful, Rama raises his right arm and addresses the people of the region. He acknowledges their compassion and kindness, and urges them to return home, for prolonged suffering is worse than evil; their purpose has been fulfilled. The people, lamenting terribly, salute and circumambulate the great-souled Rama. They linger, standing here and there, their hearts unsatisfied in longing. As their cries echo, Rama departs from their sight, like the sun disappearing at nightfall. Continuing his journey, Rama observes prosperous villages filled with grain and wealth, inhabited by generous and virtuous people who live free from fear. The villages are beautiful, surrounded by sacrificial posts, adorned with gardens and mango groves, blessed with abundant water, and bustling with contented, healthy people and herds of cattle. Rama, the tiger among men, passes through distinguished lands ruled by kings, where the air resounds with the chants of Brahmins. In his chariot, he travels through joyful, flourishing, and lovely regions, crowded with gardens and fit for the enjoyment of monarchs. Amidst this beauty, Rama beholds the divine Ganga, flowing in three streams—holy, pure, free from weeds, and frequented by sages. The river’s banks are adorned with splendid hermitages and graced by joyous Apsarases at the proper times, attended by lakes. Gods, Danavas, Gandharvas, Kinnaras, and the wives of Nagas and Gandharvas beautify her shores. Hundreds of divine playgrounds and tens of thousands of celestial gardens line her banks, famed as the divine lotus-lake, ascending to the heavens for the gods. The Ganga laughs in places, her waters crashing and foaming, while in other spots her currents braid and swirl. Sometimes she is calm and deep, elsewhere agitated by swift flows, roaring profoundly or echoing with terrifying noise. Gods bathe in her waters, spotless lotuses shine, broad sandbanks stretch out, and pure sands cover her shores. Her banks resound with the calls of swans, cranes, and chakravaka birds, always filled with the joyful songs of intoxicated birds. Riverside trees garland her in some places, blooming lotuses cover her in others, and clusters of lotus plants crowd her waters. Kumuda buds cluster on her surface, and in places she seems intoxicated, scattered with flower pollen. Free from muddy gatherings, Ganga shines with jewel-like clarity. Her banks are frequented by wild elephants and the finest tuskers from the four directions and the forest. Divine elephants trumpet, and her forests resound, making her beautiful even without adornment, like a beloved woman yet to wear her finest ornaments. Her waters teem with fruits, flowers, tender shoots, thickets, and birds, and are inhabited by porpoises, crocodiles, and serpents. She is the divine Ganga, sprung from Vishnu’s feet, sinless and destroyer of sin, fallen from the matted locks of Shankara, blazing with the radiance of the ocean. Rama, mighty-armed, approaches the Ganga, queen of rivers, whose banks echo with the cries of cranes and waterfowl, as he nears the city of Shringibera. Seeing the river swirling with waves and eddies, Rama says to Sumantra, “Let us stay here tonight.” He points to a great ingudi tree nearby, abundant with flowers and leaves, and suggests they rest beneath its shade. Rama expresses his desire to behold the best of rivers, sacred and honored by all, whose waters are revered by gods, demons, gandharvas, beasts, humans, and birds. Lakshmana and Sumantra agree, and bring the horses to the ingudi tree. Rama, the joy of the Ikshvakus, approaches the lovely tree, and together with Sita and Lakshmana, descends from the chariot. Sumantra also dismounts, unyokes the noble horses, and stands near Rama with hands joined in reverence. At this moment, Guha, the king of the Nishadas and Rama’s friend and equal, renowned for his strength, approaches. Hearing that Rama, the tiger among men, has entered his territory, Guha comes forth, surrounded by his aged ministers and kinsmen. Seeing Guha standing at a distance, Rama and Saumitri approach him. Guha, distressed, embraces Rama and declares, “This land is yours as much as Ayodhya, Rama; what can I do for you?” Guha marvels at the fortune of hosting such a beloved guest. He quickly brings various kinds of excellent food and drink, offers water for washing, and welcomes Rama warmly, saying, “Welcome, mighty-armed one! This entire land is yours. We are your servants; you are our lord. Rule our kingdom well. Here are foods to eat, to enjoy, to drink, and to taste, as well as the finest beds and fodder for your horses.” Thus, the sacred journey continues, with Rama welcomed by Guha at the banks of the divine Ganga, as night approaches in Shringibera.