For the happiness of both myself and the king, Rama said to Sumantra, “Return to the city with the chariot. As you have been instructed, speak to each person as is fitting.” Having spoken thus, and after consoling the charioteer again and again, Rama turned to Guha and addressed him with firm and purposeful words. “Guha,” Rama said, “it is not proper for me to remain now in the inhabited part of the forest. I must dwell in a hermitage, for such is the rule prescribed for me.” With resolve, Rama continued, “Therefore, embracing the ascetic’s vow for the welfare of my father, Sita, and Lakshmana, I shall proceed.” He then asked Guha to bring the milk of the banyan tree, stating, “After my matted locks are made, I will depart.” Guha quickly brought the banyan milk as requested. Using it, Rama fashioned matted locks for both himself and Lakshmana. The long-armed prince, a tiger among men, thus assumed the appearance of an ascetic. Clad in garments of bark and with their hair coiled in matted locks, Rama and Lakshmana shone like twin sages. Having adopted the path of hermits with Lakshmana, Rama, steadfast in his vow, spoke to Guha, his companion, “Be ever vigilant, Guha, regarding the army, the treasury, the fortresses, and the people, for the protection of the kingdom is most difficult.” Taking leave of Guha, the scion of Ikshvaku swiftly departed, undisturbed, with Sita and Lakshmana. Standing on the riverbank, Rama, desiring to cross the swift-flowing Ganga, turned to Lakshmana and said, “O tiger among men, board this boat, which is ready, and gently help Sita, the noble lady, to embark after you.” Lakshmana, hearing his brother’s command and without objection, first helped Maithili, Sita, to board the boat, and then ascended himself. Then Rama, the illustrious elder brother, boarded as well. Guha, chief of the Nishadas, urged his kinsmen to set forth. Rama, radiant and full of splendor, once aboard, recited sacred prayers for his own welfare, as prescribed for both Brahmins and Kshatriyas. Along with Sita and Lakshmana, he ritually sipped water according to the scriptures and bowed to the river, radiant and delighted. Having taken leave of Sumantra, Guha, and their followers, Rama directed the boatmen to proceed. At their urging, the boat, expertly steered, sped swiftly across the water, propelled by the strong strokes of the oar. When they reached the middle of the Bhagirathi, Sita, faultless and pure, joined her palms and prayed to the river, “This is the son of Dasharatha, the great and wise king. May he, protected by you, O Ganga, fulfill his father’s command. After dwelling for fourteen full years in the forest, together with his brother and me, he will return again. Then, O blessed and gracious goddess, when I have returned safely, I will joyfully worship you, O Ganga, for the fulfillment of all my desires.” She praised the goddess further: “O Tripathaga, you behold the world of Brahma; as the consort of the ocean king, you are seen in this world. Therefore, O beautiful goddess, I bow to you and praise you. When Rama, the tiger among men, regains his kingdom and returns safely, I will give a hundred thousand cows, garments, and fine food to the Brahmins to please you. With a thousand jars of wine and offerings of meat and rice, I will worship you with devotion when I have returned to the city. All the deities who dwell on your banks, and every sacred ford and shrine, I will worship them all. May I, joined again with my strong-armed husband and his brother, re-enter Ayodhya from the forest, O sinless one.” Thus praying, Sita quickly reached the southern bank of the Ganga. Upon reaching the shore, Rama, the bull among men, left the boat with his brother and the noble Sita. He then spoke to Lakshmana, the son of Sumitra, “Be vigilant for our protection, whether among people or in solitude. Especially in the unseen solitude of the forest, protection must be ensured. Go ahead, Saumitri, and let Sita follow you. I will walk behind, guarding you both. Today, Vaidehī will experience the hardship of forest life. No action is easily accomplished before its time; today she will indeed know the hardship of forest dwelling. Today she will enter the forest, deserted of people, without fields or gardens, filled with difficulties and steep descents.” Hearing Rama’s words, Lakshmana set out ahead, followed by Sita, and Rama, delight of the Raghu lineage, walked behind. Having swiftly crossed to the far shore of the Ganga, Lakshmana gazed intently at Rama, but as the journey stretched on, his gaze faltered and, distressed, he shed tears. That great-souled one, whose power rivaled the guardians of the world, having crossed the mighty river, gradually approached prosperous villages, rich with beautiful crops and joyful calves. There, the brothers killed four great beasts—a boar, a rṣya, a spotted deer, and a mighty stag. Taking the sacred meat, eager and hungry, they went quickly to the lord of the forest for shelter. Let the next chapter be heard.