Having ritually sipped water in accordance with the sacred scriptures, Rama, together with Sita and Lakshmana, radiant and delighted, offered their respectful bows to the holy river Ganga. With reverence, they took leave of Sumantra, Guha, and all their assembled companions. Rama then boarded the waiting boat, instructing the boatmen to set off. Urged onward, the boat, skillfully guided by the helmsman and propelled swiftly by the oar’s steady strokes, began its journey across the wide waters. As they reached the midpoint of the sacred Bhagirathi, the faultless Sita, palms joined in devotion, addressed the river with heartfelt words: "This is the son of Dasharatha, the great and wise king. O Ganga, may you protect him so that he may fulfill his father's command. After dwelling for fourteen full years in the forest, together with his brother and me, he will return again." Sita promised, "O blessed and gracious goddess, when I have returned safely, I will joyfully worship you, O Ganga, for the fulfillment of all my desires. You, O goddess Tripathagā, are seen in this world as the consort of the ocean king, and you behold the world of Brahma. Therefore, I bow to you and praise you, O beautiful one, when the tiger among men regains his kingdom and returns in safety. I will offer a hundred thousand cows, garments, and fine food to the Brahmins to please you. With a thousand jars of wine and meat-rice offerings, I will worship you with devotion when I have returned to the city. All the deities who dwell on your banks, and the sacred fords and shrines that exist, 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, the noble Sita soon reached the southern bank of the Ganga. Upon arrival, Rama, the bull among men, disembarked from the boat with his brother Lakshmana and the noble Vaidehī, Sita. Rama then turned to Lakshmana, the joy of Sumitra, and said, "Be ever vigilant for our protection, whether among people or in solitude. Protection must certainly be ensured, especially in the unseen solitude of the forest. Go ahead, Saumitri, and let Sita follow you. I will walk behind, guarding you and Sita. Today, Vaidehī will experience the hardship of forest life. No action is easily accomplished before its time; today, Vaidehī will indeed know the hardship of forest dwelling. Today she will enter the forest, deserted of people, devoid of fields and gardens, full of difficulties and steep descents." Hearing Rama’s words, Lakshmana set out ahead, with Sita following, and Rama, the delight of the Raghu lineage, walking behind. Having swiftly crossed to the far shore of the Ganga, Lakshmana gazed intently at Rama; but as the journey lengthened, his gaze turned back, and the noble ascetic, distressed, shed tears. That great-souled one, whose strength 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 hastened to the lord of the forest for shelter. As the next chapter begins, Rama approached a tree and, noticing the western twilight, spoke to Lakshmana: "Today is the first night spent outside the city; separated from Sumitra’s son, you should not feel anxious about it. From today onward, we must remain vigilant through the nights without weariness, for Sita’s safety depends upon us, Lakshmana. Let us somehow pass this night, O Saumitri, spreading out bedding on the ground made from what we ourselves have gathered." Though accustomed to luxurious bedding, Rama lay down upon the earth and spoke auspicious words to Lakshmana: "Surely tonight the great king sleeps in sorrow, Lakshmana; but Kaikeyī, having fulfilled her desire, must be satisfied. That queen Kaikeyī, for the sake of the kingdom, would not even hesitate to give up her life upon seeing Bharata return. Helpless and aged, deprived of me, what will the self-indulgent king, now under Kaikeyī’s sway, do?" Rama continued, "Seeing this misfortune and the king’s confused mind, I believe that desire outweighs both wealth and righteousness. For who, even if ignorant, would abandon his son for the sake of a woman, as our father has done to me, Lakshmana, always obeying her? Indeed, Bharata, son of Kaikeyī, is fortunate with his wife; he alone will enjoy the prosperous Kosala kingdom as a sovereign. He will become the sole face of the entire kingdom, with our father aged and me dwelling in the forest. Whoever abandons wealth and righteousness to follow desire quickly falls into misfortune, as King Daśaratha has. I think, gentle one, that Kaikeyi has come for the end of Dasharatha, for my exile, and for the kingdom for Bharata. I hope now Kaikeyi, intoxicated by her good fortune, does not harass Kausalya and Sumitra because of me." Thus, in the twilight of the forest, Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana spent their first night in exile, their hearts full of longing, concern, and unwavering resolve.