As Sita wandered through the forest, she marveled at many beautiful, blossoming trees she had never seen before. With gentle wonder, she asked Rama about them, eager to know the names and stories of these new delights. Lakshmana, quick to fulfill Sita’s wishes, led her to a nearby river whose banks were adorned with varied sands and echoed with the calls of swans and cranes. There, King Janaka’s daughter found joy gazing at the sparkling waters. After traveling about a krosha further, Rama and Lakshmana, having slain many noble deer, continued their journey through the Yamuna forest. They enjoyed the beauty of the woods, alive with peacocks and elephants, and eventually reached a pleasing riverside grove where they settled, free from sorrow. With the fifty-fifth sarga concluded, the story continued. When the night had passed, Rama, the scion of Raghu, gently awakened Lakshmana, who was still asleep. “Saumitri,” he said, “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. Look at the 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 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 Citrakūṭa.” 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 pointed out a lovely bank covered with trees and vines. “Gentle one,” he said, “this place is 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 hands joined in reverence, Sita, Rama, and Lakshmana approached the hermitage and greeted the great sage Valmiki. Delighted and knowing righteousness, Valmiki welcomed them warmly, inviting them to be seated. Rama, the mighty-armed elder brother of Lakshmana, properly introduced himself to the sage and then spoke: “Lakshmana, bring strong and excellent wood; build a dwelling, dear one, for my heart delights in staying here.” Hearing his brother’s words, Saumitri brought various kinds of wood and built a leaf hut, skillfully tying it together. Seeing the completed hut, well-tied and beautiful, Rama spoke to his attentive younger brother, “Let us offer the meat of a deer here in the hut, Saumitri; the ritual for settling a dwelling must be performed by those who wish for long life. Kill a deer and bring it quickly, Lakshmana, for this must be done; remember the rule prescribed in the scriptures, which is righteous.” Understanding his brother’s command, Lakshmana, slayer of enemies, did as instructed. Rama spoke again, “Let this black antelope be prepared as an offering; we shall perform the sacrifice. Hurry, gentle one, for this moment is fleeting, and the day is surely passing.” Lakshmana, powerful son of Sumitra, killed the pure black antelope and cast it into the blazing fire. When he saw that it was cooked, thoroughly roasted and without blood, Lakshmana, tiger among men, spoke to Raghava, “This black antelope is now fully prepared, O noble one, cooked as it should be. Like a god among men, offer the sacrifice, for you are skilled in the rites.” Rama, self-controlled, virtuous, and learned in sacred chants, bathed and then recited all the concluding mantras of the sacrifice in summary. Having worshipped all the hosts of gods, Rama, pure and of immeasurable brilliance, entered the shelter, his mind filled with joy. He performed the Vaiśvadeva offering, as well as the fierce and the Vaiṣṇava rites, and began auspicious ceremonies to pacify the dwelling. Having properly recited the prayers and bathed in the river according to rule, Rama performed the highest offering to remove sin. Raghava established altars, shrines, and sanctuaries appropriate to the hermitage. With forest garlands, fruits, roots, ripe meats as prescribed, and water for libations, as well as sacred darbha grass and kindling, as taught in the Vedas, the two Raghavas, together with Sita, satisfied the beings. Marked by auspicious signs, they entered the beautiful shelter, their hearts at peace in their new home.