With deep resolve, Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana prepared for their journey across the Yamuna. They carefully placed bows and arrows upon the raft, and at Sita’s side, arranged her garments and warm coverings. Rama himself set the hard quivers and weapons on the raft, then gently seated Sita before he and Lakshmana took hold of the raft and began their crossing. The two heroic sons of Dasaratha made their way across the river. As they reached the middle of the Kalindi, Sita, full of reverence, offered her salutations to the goddess Yamuna. With palms joined, 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 sought the goddess’s blessings. Having reached the southern bank, the beautiful Sita, with Rama and Lakshmana, crossed the shining, swiftly flowing, wave-covered river by raft. The river’s banks were lined with many trees, and after crossing, they left the raft behind and set out from the Yamuna forest. They soon found shelter beneath a dark banyan tree, cool and lush with green leaves. Approaching the banyan, Sita spoke with devotion, “Salutations to you, great tree! May my vow of fidelity be fulfilled, may I see Kausalya and the illustrious Sumitra again.” With joined palms, Sita circled the tree, making her heartfelt request. Witnessing Sita’s pure devotion, Rama, ever loving and dutiful, spoke to Lakshmana, “Take Sita 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.” And so, Janaka’s daughter walked between Rama and Lakshmana, lovely as an elephant-cow between two mighty tuskers, her gaze lingering on each tree, bush, and flowering vine. Sita 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 about a krosha further, Rama and Lakshmana, having slain many noble deer, wandered through the Yamuna forest. They enjoyed the beautiful woods, filled with peacocks and elephants, and finally reached a pleasing riverside grove, where they settled, free from sorrow. Thus ends the fifty-fifth sarga in the Ayodhya Kanda of the glorious Valmiki Ramayana. When the night had passed and Lakshmana was still asleep, Rama, the scion of Raghu, 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 the fatigue of their journey. Together, they 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. Look, Lakshmana, 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 area 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 Chitrakuta.” Walking together with Sita, they reached the charming mountain, Chitrakuta, delightful to the mind. Arriving at the mountain, teeming with many kinds of birds, abundant in roots and fruits, beautiful and rich with lakes and water, Rama said, “This lovely bank, gentle one, is covered with many trees and vines; rich in roots and fruits, it seems well suited for our life. Great sages dwell on these rocky heights; let this be our dwelling for now, dear one, and let us enjoy ourselves here.” With joined hands in reverence, Sita, Rama, and Lakshmana approached the hermitage and greeted the sage Valmiki. The great sage, delighted and knowing righteousness, honored them, saying, “Be seated,” and welcomed them warmly. Then Rama, the mighty-armed elder brother of Lakshmana, properly introduced himself to the sage and spoke, “Lakshmana, bring strong and excellent wood; build a dwelling, dear one, for my heart delights in staying here.” Hearing these words, Saumitri brought various kinds of wood and built a leaf hut, beautiful and well-tied. Seeing the completed hut, Rama spoke with affection to his attentive younger brother, marking the beginning of their new life in Chitrakuta.