Guided by the sage’s wisdom, Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana journeyed through a forest grown dense and dark with many trees, a place frequented by perfected beings. There, Sita offered her blessings with joined palms, invoking auspiciousness for their path ahead. Following the sage’s instructions, they reached the great tree where Sita had prayed. They could choose to rest or continue on, and after traveling about a krosha farther, the blue forest came into view. This beautiful stretch, adorned with palāśa and jujube trees and bamboo from the Yamuna, was a familiar path for the sage, who had walked it many times toward Citrakuta. The sage described it as pleasant, gentle, and free from forest fires, and then, having guided them, turned back. With reverence, Rama and his companions bid the sage farewell. Rama, grateful for the sage’s compassion, spoke to Lakshmana, “We are truly blessed, O Saumitri, that the sage shows us such kindness.” The two brothers, wise and mighty, conferred together. Placing Sita at the front, they made their way to the river Kalindi. Upon reaching its swift-flowing waters, they gathered wood and constructed a sturdy raft, covering it with dry bamboo and wrapping it with roots. Lakshmana, strong and resourceful, collected branches of cane and jambu trees, fashioning a comfortable seat for Sita. Rama seated her with care, as if placing her upon a throne of fortune. They arranged their bows and arrows on the raft, and at Sita’s side, her garments and warm coverings. Rama placed the hard quivers alongside the weapons. With Sita seated first, Rama and Lakshmana took hold of the raft and began their crossing. As the two heroic sons of Dasaratha reached the middle of the Kalindi, Sita offered her salutations to the river. With joined palms, she prayed, “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 Rama returns to the city protected by the Ikshvakus.” Thus, Sita expressed her devotion to Kalindi. Reaching the southern bank, Sita, beautiful and steadfast, completed the crossing by raft over the shining, swiftly flowing river covered with waves. With many trees lining its banks, they crossed the Yamuna, leaving the raft behind as they set out from the Yamuna forest. They soon found shelter beneath a dark banyan tree, cool and lush with green leaves. Approaching the tree, Vaidehi—Sita—spoke, “Salutations to you, great tree! May my vow of fidelity be fulfilled, may I see Kausalya and the illustrious Sumitra again.” She circled the tree with joined palms, making her request. Seeing Sita’s pure devotion, Rama, ever loving and dutiful, said to Lakshmana, “Take Sita and go ahead, O Bharata’s younger brother. I will follow behind, armed. Whatever fruit or flower Janaka’s daughter desires, give to Vaidehi wherever her heart delights.” Thus, as they continued, Sita walked between the two brothers—lovely as an elephant-cow between two mighty tuskers—gazing at each tree, bush, and flowering vine. She saw many beautiful, blossoming trees she had never seen before and gently asked Rama about them. Eager to fulfill Sita’s wishes, Lakshmana led her to a river adorned with varied sands and the calls of swans and cranes. There, Sita delighted in gazing at the river. After traveling a krosha further, Rama and Lakshmana hunted noble deer and wandered through the Yamuna forest. Enjoying the beauty of the forest, filled with peacocks and elephants, they reached a pleasing riverside grove and settled there, free from sorrow. With the passing of night, as Lakshmana still slept, Rama gently awakened him. “Saumitri, listen to the sweet sounds of the forest creatures; it is time for us to set out, O great ascetic.” Awakened at the right time, Lakshmana cast off sleep, drowsiness, and all fatigue. All rose, touched the auspicious water of the river, and followed the path indicated by the sages toward Chitrakuta. Setting out at the proper time with Saumitri, Rama spoke to Sita, whose eyes were like lotus petals, “Vaidehi, see the trees all around, blooming as if aflame, the silk-cotton trees heavy with their own flowers at the end of winter. See the blooming bhallātaka trees, untouched by people, bowed down with fruit and leaves; surely I will be able to live here.” Rama pointed out to Lakshmana, “Look, honeycombs the size of baskets hang from every mountain, filled with honey by the bees. Here the natyūha bird cries out, and the peacock answers, in this delightful forest thick with beds of flowers. See this mountain, its peaks towering, followed by herds of elephants and echoing with flocks of birds, its slopes varied and beautiful. On this lovely level ground, covered with many trees, we shall enjoy ourselves, dear one, in the sacred woods of Citrakuta.” Thus, with reverence and delight, Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana journeyed onward, embracing the beauty and sanctity of their path.