Urged onward by the boatman and those present, the boat—skillfully guided and driven swiftly by the oar—cut across the waters of the Ganga with great speed. As they reached the middle of the sacred Bhagirathi, Sita, pure and devoted, folded her hands and spoke reverently to the river goddess. She prayed, “O Ganga, this is the son of Dasharatha, the great and wise king. May you protect him so he may fulfill his father’s command. After dwelling for fourteen years in the forest, together with his brother and me, he will return again. O blessed and gracious goddess, when I have returned safely, I will joyfully worship you for the fulfillment of all my desires. You, O Tripathaga, behold the world of Brahma, and 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 the tiger among men regains his kingdom and returns in safety, I will offer you a hundred thousand cows, garments, and fine food to the Brahmins, wishing 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.” Having thus spoken her heartfelt vows, Sita, the faultless one, swiftly reached the southern bank of the Ganga. Upon reaching the shore, Rama, the bull among men, stepped out of the boat with his brother Lakshmana and the noble Sita. There, the mighty-armed Rama addressed Lakshmana, son of Sumitra, urging him, “Be ever 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 both you and Sita. 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, devoid of fields and gardens, full of difficulties and steep descents.” Hearing Rama’s words, Lakshmana set out ahead, followed by Sita, with Rama, the delight of the Raghu lineage, bringing up the rear. Having crossed swiftly to the far shore of the Ganga, Lakshmana gazed intently at Rama, but as the journey lengthened, he turned his gaze back, and the ascetic, distressed, shed tears. The great-souled Rama, whose power rivaled the guardians of the world, having crossed the mighty river, gradually approached prosperous villages abundant with beautiful crops and joyful calves. There, the two brothers hunted and 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. As twilight deepened in the west, Rama approached a great tree and, observing the setting sun, spoke to Lakshmana, “Today is our first night spent outside the city; though separated from Sumitra’s son, you should not be anxious. 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 beds, Rama lay down upon the earth and spoke auspicious words to Lakshmana. “Surely tonight the great king sleeps in sorrow, Lakshmana; but Kaikeyi, having fulfilled her desire, must be satisfied. That queen Kaikeyi, 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 Kaikeyi’s sway, do? 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, who always obeyed her? Indeed, Bharata, son of Kaikeyi, 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 Dasharatha 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. Let not Queen Sumitra, because of me, dwell in sorrow; you, Lakshmana, should return to Ayodhya at the proper time. I alone will go to Dandaka with Sita; for the mother who is left without support, you will be her protector, Lakshmana.” Thus, Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana, having crossed the Ganga and entered the forest, began their life in exile, upholding righteousness and duty amidst hardship and uncertainty.