My father, steadfast in his promise, resolved to give me to Rāma. With reverence, he raised the excellent vessel of water, preparing for the sacred ceremony. Yet, at that very moment, Rāghava did not accept what was being offered, unaware of his father, King Daśaratha’s intentions. Then, after respectfully addressing my aged father-in-law, King Daśaratha, my own father gave me to Rāma, who knows his own self. Alongside me, my virtuous younger sister, the lovely Urmilā, was also given by my father as wife to Lakṣmaṇa. Thus, at that self-choice ceremony, I was given to Rāma, and from that day I have been devoted in righteousness to my husband, the foremost among the strong. Thus concludes the one hundred eighteenth sarga of the glorious Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa in the ancient and noble Rāmāyaṇa composed by Vālmīki. Anasūyā, wise in dharma, listened to my story with great attention. Moved, she embraced me warmly and kissed me on the head. “The words you spoke were clear, well-formed, and sweet,” she said. “I have heard from you all about the self-choice ceremony, O sweet speaker, and I am truly delighted by your tale.” The sun had set, and the auspicious night had arrived. At dusk, the sounds of birds settling to sleep after their day’s search for food filled the air. Ascetics, their garments still wet from bathing, gathered together, holding water jars. When the seers had offered their prescribed oblations into the sacred fires, smoke tinged red like a dove’s body rose, stirred gently by the wind. The trees, though sparse in leaves, grew dense all around, obscuring the directions even in this distant place. Creatures of the night moved about everywhere, while the forest animals of the hermitage lay down at the sacred bathing places. The night had fully advanced, O Sītā, adorned with stars. The moon, wrapped in its own veil of moonlight, rose in the sky. Anasūyā then said, “Go now, I give you leave; be an attendant to Rāma. I am satisfied by your sweet words. Now, Maithilī, adorn yourself before me; bring me joy, dear child, shining with divine ornaments.” Thus adorned, Sītā, equal to a daughter of the gods, bowed her head to Anasūyā and went towards Rāma. Rāghava, best among speakers, saw Sītā thus adorned and rejoiced at the gift of affection from the ascetic woman. Then Maithilī Sītā told Rāma everything—the gift of affection from Anasūyā: the garments, ornaments, and garlands. Rāma and the mighty Lakṣmaṇa were filled with joy upon witnessing the honor shown to Maithilī, an honor so rare among humans. Rāma, his face radiant like the moon, spent that auspicious night, having been welcomed by ascetics and perfected beings. When the night had passed, the two tigers among men performed the fire rituals for the ascetics and took leave of the forest-dwelling hermits. Those righteous ascetics spoke to them about the dangers of the forest, which was overrun by rākṣasas. “O Rāghava, in this great forest dwell rākṣasas, man-eaters of many forms, and wild beasts who feed on blood. O Rāghava, these creatures attack ascetics devoted to righteousness, whether they are careless or have leftovers; protect them. This is the path of the great sages who gather fruits in the forest; by this way, O Rāghava, it is proper for you to enter the difficult woods.” Thus, having received blessings from those ascetic Brāhmaṇas with joined palms, Rāghava, together with his wife and Lakṣmaṇa, entered the forest like the sun entering a mass of clouds. Thus ends the one hundred and nineteenth sarga in the Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, the first great poem, consisting of twenty-four thousand verses. Let the first sarga be heard in the Araṇya Kāṇḍa of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa. Encircled by kuśa grass and bark garments, endowed with divine splendor, the hermitage shone like the blazing orb of the sun in the sky, hard to behold. It was a refuge for all beings, its courtyard always clean, teeming with many deer and surrounded by flocks of birds. Constantly honored and attended by groups of Apsarases, it was adorned with spacious fire-altars, ladles, vessels, deerskins, and kuśa grass. Kindling sticks, water pots, fruits and roots graced the place, which was covered with great forest trees bearing auspicious, sweet fruits. Sanctified by offerings and oblations, the hermitage resounded with the chanting of Brahman, encircled by various flowers and a lotus pond filled with lotuses. It was inhabited by self-restrained ascetics who subsisted on fruits and roots, clad in bark and black antelope skins, shining like the sun and fire, and by ancient sages. Adorned by noble sages of pure diet, the place resembled the abode of Brahmā and resounded with the chanting of Brahman. Graced by learned and highly fortunate Brāhmaṇas, the illustrious Rāghava beheld that circle of hermitages. The great-souled sages, endowed with divine knowledge, approached after stringing their mighty bows, having seen Rāma. Pleased, they greeted the illustrious Vaidehī; seeing the righteous one shining like the rising moon, they rejoiced. Seeing Lakṣmaṇa and the renowned Vaidehī, those resolute ascetics welcomed them with auspicious blessings.