After spending a peaceful night beneath the shelter of a great tree, Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana awoke with the first rays of the spotless sun. With the dawn, they set forth from that place, journeying toward the sacred confluence where the Bhagirathi Ganga meets the Yamuna. Their path led them into a vast, dense forest, filled with wonders that the illustrious trio had never seen before. As they traveled, they marveled at the many lands and delightful sights, passing through groves and seeing trees of every kind. When the day was nearly spent, Rama turned to Saumitri—Lakshmana—and pointed out a column of smoke rising near Prayaga. “Look, Saumitri,” he said, “that smoke must mark the sacred fire of a sage, the sign of divine Agni.” The sound of water mingling together reached their ears, and Rama realized they had arrived at the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna. Nearby, logs split by forest dwellers lay scattered, and the ashram of Bharadvaja was surrounded by many kinds of trees. With hearts uplifted, the two archers continued on, accompanied by Sita, and soon reached the dwelling of the sage at the holy confluence. As Rama entered the ashram, his presence startled the deer and birds that lived there. After walking for a while, he approached the revered sage Bharadvaja. The three—Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita—stood respectfully at a distance, wishing to see the sage. Inside, they found the great-souled Bharadvaja surrounded by his disciples. The sage, steadfast in his vows and radiant with the vision gained through austerity, was engaged in his sacred fire offering. Seeing this, Rama, along with Saumitri and Sita, greeted him reverently with joined palms. Rama then introduced himself: “Revered one, we are the sons of Dasharatha—Rama and Lakshmana. This is my wife, Vaidehī, the virtuous daughter of Janaka. She, blameless, has accompanied me into this lonely forest of asceticism. Saumitra, my dear younger brother, has followed me, sent into exile by our father. He is firm in his vows and has come with me to the forest. Instructed by our father, we have entered this forest of austerity, where we shall live righteously, subsisting on roots and fruits.” Hearing these words, the righteous Bharadvaja brought offerings—a cow, water, and other gifts—for them. Scorched by his own austerities, the sage provided them with various forest foods—roots, fruits—and prepared a dwelling for their comfort. Surrounded by deer, birds, and other sages, Bharadvaja welcomed Rama with honor and warmth. After receiving the offerings and being seated, Rama listened as Bharadvaja spoke with righteousness: “O descendant of Kakutstha, after a long time I see you here. I have heard of your exile, which is without cause. Here, at the confluence of these great rivers, lies a secluded, holy, and delightful place. Let the blessed ones dwell here happily.” Rama, devoted to the welfare of all, replied with auspicious words: “O revered one, people from the city and countryside are nearby. If they see me here, I believe they will visit this hermitage. Many will come to see Vaidehī and me; for this reason, I do not wish to reside here. But there, at the edge, is an excellent hermitage site. Vaidehī, the daughter of Janaka, deserving of happiness, will find delight there.” Hearing these words, the great sage Bharadvaja responded to Rama: “Ten krośas from here lies a mountain where you may dwell. It is holy, frequented by great sages, and pleasant to behold from all sides. It is known as Citrakūṭa, frequented by cows, langurs, monkeys, and bears, and resembles Gandhamādana. As far as a man can see the peaks of Citrakūṭa, he attains auspiciousness and his mind does not turn to evil. Many sages have spent a hundred autumns there; by their austerity, with skulls as headgear, they have ascended to heaven. I think this secluded dwelling will be comfortable for you. Whether here or in the forest, stay, O Rama, together with me.” Bharadvaja, knowing righteousness, welcomed Rama, his dear guest, along with Sita and Lakshmana, offering all they desired. As Rama arrived at Prayaga to meet the great sage, the blessed night passed as they recounted many wondrous tales. The descendant of Kakutstha, weary and accustomed to comfort, spent the night happily with Sita and Lakshmana in the delightful hermitage of Bharadvaja. When the night had passed, Rama, the tiger among men, approached Bharadvaja and spoke to the sage blazing with ascetic power: “Having spent the night in your hermitage, O truthful one, we now seek your permission to depart from this dwelling.” With the dawn, Bharadvaja said, “Go to Citrakūṭa, abundant with honey, roots, and fruits. I think that place is suitable for your dwelling, O mighty Rama—adorned with various flocks of birds, frequented by Kinnaras and serpents.” Thus, having received the sage’s blessings and guidance, Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana prepared to journey onward to Citrakūṭa, the holy mountain, to continue their exile in righteousness.