Rāma, the noble descendant of Kakutstha, accustomed to the comforts of palace life yet now weary from his journey, spent a blissful night in the serene hermitage of the sage Bharadvāja. Sītā was with him, and together with Lakshmana, they found joy and rest in that sacred place. As dawn broke and the night gave way to morning, Rāma—the tiger among men—approached the venerable Bharadvāja, whose ascetic power shone brightly. With humility, Rāma addressed the sage, saying, “O truthful one, we have spent the night in your hermitage. Now, we seek your permission to depart from this dwelling.” With the coming of the new day, Bharadvāja spoke warmly to Rāma: “Go to Citrakūṭa, a place rich with honey, roots, and fruits. I believe that mountain is most suitable for your dwelling, O mighty Rāma. It is adorned with flocks of birds and frequented by Kinnaras and serpents. The calls of peacocks echo through its valleys, and lordly elephants roam its slopes. Citrakūṭa is sacred and beautiful, abundant in roots and fruits, with herds of elephants and groups of deer wandering everywhere. You will see these herds, O Rāghava, at the forest’s edge, along riverbanks, slopes, and mountain streams. As you roam with Sītā, your heart will rejoice on that auspicious earth, vibrant with the calls of cranes and cuckoos, and filled with intoxicated deer and elephants. There, you will find a most delightful hermitage.” Thus begins the fifty-fifth sarga of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa. After spending the night in the hermitage, the two princes—Rāma and Lakshmana, destroyers of foes—paid their respects to the great sage Bharadvāja and set out toward the mountain. The sage blessed them for their journey, watching them depart as a father would his sons. Radiant in ascetic power, Bharadvāja spoke further to Rāma, steadfast in truth and valor: “Having reached the confluence of the Gaṅgā and Yamunā, O best of men, follow the Kālindī river, which flows westward. When you reach the swift-flowing Kālindī and see the ancient, sacred ford, behold it well. There, after making a raft, cross the shining river. You will then come upon a great banyan tree with green foliage—grown large, surrounded by many trees, dark and frequented by perfected beings. At this tree, Sītā should offer her joined palms and utter auspicious blessings. After reaching that tree, you may rest or move on; then, after traveling about a krosha further, you will see the blue forest. It is beautiful, mixed with palāśa and jujube trees, and with bamboo from the Yamuna. I myself have taken this path to Citrakūṭa many times. It is pleasant, gentle, and free from forest fires.” Having described the way, the great sage turned back. Rāma respectfully replied, “So be it,” and dismissed the sage. As Bharadvāja departed, Rāma spoke to Lakshmana, “We are truly blessed, O Saumitri, that the sage shows us such compassion.” The two mighty and wise brothers conferred together. Placing Sītā at the front, they walked toward the river Kalindi. Upon reaching its swift-flowing waters, they gathered wood and made a sturdy raft. Lakshmana covered it with dry bamboo and wrapped it with roots, then gathered branches of cane and jambu trees. He fashioned a comfortable seat for Sītā, and Rāma, son of Dasaratha, seated his beloved as if placing her on a throne of fortune. They placed their bows and arrows on the raft, along with Sītā’s garments and warm coverings. Rāma placed the hard quivers with their weapons, and, seating Sītā first, the two brothers took hold of the raft. With courage, the sons of Dasaratha crossed the river. As they reached the middle of the Kalindi, Sītā offered her salutations, praying, “Farewell, O goddess! May I cross you safely; may my vow of fidelity be preserved. I will worship you with a thousand cows and a hundred jars of liquor. Farewell, when Rāma returns to the city protected by the Ikshvakus.” With joined palms, Sītā prayed to Kalindi. Having reached the southern bank, the beautiful Sītā crossed the shining, swiftly flowing, wave-covered river by raft. With many trees lining its banks, they crossed the Yamuna river. Leaving the raft behind, they set out from the Yamuna forest. They sat beneath a dark banyan tree, cool and lush with green leaves. Approaching that banyan, Vaidehi spoke: “Salutations to you, great tree! May my vow of fidelity be fulfilled, may I see Kausalya and the illustrious Sumitra again.” Sītā, joining her palms, circled the tree, making her request. Seeing Sītā’s devotion, Rāma spoke lovingly and dutifully to Lakshmana: “Take Sītā and go ahead, O Bharata’s younger brother. I will follow behind, armed, best among men. Whatever fruit or flower Janaka’s daughter desires, give to Vaidehi wherever her heart delights.” As they proceeded, Janaka’s daughter walked between the two brothers. Sītā, lovely as an elephant-cow between two mighty tuskers, walked between Rāma and Lakshmana, gazing with wonder at each tree, bush, and flowering vine that adorned their path.