In the forest of Daṇḍaka, Rāma gently advised Sītā, “Keep your mind pure, dear one, and practice righteousness amidst these austerities. You know all things—even the truths of the three worlds. This exile came to me through a woman’s fickleness; who could instruct you in dharma? Consider with Lakṣmaṇa what pleases you, and act without delay.” Now, let us hear the tenth chapter. Vaidehī, Sītā, spoke these words to her husband out of deep devotion. Hearing her, Rāma, ever steadfast in righteousness, replied warmly to Jānakī, “You have spoken what is truly beneficial, O lady—words full of affection, befitting your noble lineage and knowledge of dharma, O daughter of Janaka. What more can I say, when you yourself remind me: ‘The bow is borne by Kṣatriyas so that cries of distress do not arise’?” He continued, “The afflicted sages of Daṇḍaka, steadfast in their vows, have come to me seeking refuge, knowing me as their protector. Living in the forest according to the seasons, subsisting on roots and fruits, they find no happiness, O gentle Sītā, because of the cruel deeds of the rākṣasas. These fierce rākṣasas, eaters of human flesh, devour the ascetics dwelling here. The foremost of the twice-born ones approached me, saying, ‘Let us rely upon you.’ Hearing their plea, I responded, ‘May you all be gracious to me; I feel a profound sense of modesty.’ When such brahmins came to me as guests, I asked them, ‘What should I do?’” They pleaded, “We are greatly afflicted, O Rāma; protect us! Especially during offerings and festivals, O sinless one, the formidable rākṣasas harass us. Ascetics devoted to austerity are oppressed by these night-dwellers. You are our supreme refuge as we seek a way out. By our austerity, we could destroy the rākṣasas, but we do not wish to break the discipline we have long acquired. Austerity is always beset with obstacles and is difficult to practice, O Rāghava. Therefore, even when devoured by rākṣasas, we do not curse them. Those ascetics dwelling in Daṇḍaka, afflicted, ask you to protect us, together with your brother, for we are under your guardianship.” Rāma said, “Having heard all this, the promise I made to the sages in Daṇḍaka, O daughter of Janaka, I cannot break while I live. It is always my cherished truth never to act otherwise towards the sages. I would even abandon my life, or you, Sītā, along with Lakṣmaṇa, but having made a promise—especially to brāhmaṇas—I cannot forsake it. Therefore, I must certainly protect the sages. Even if it had not been spoken, O Vaidehī, how could I pledge again? Out of affection and friendship, you have spoken these words to me. I am fully satisfied with you, Sītā; for one who is not worthy is not instructed. This is fitting for your noble lineage, O beautiful one. You are my companion in righteousness, more precious to me than life itself.” Having thus spoken to his beloved Sītā, the daughter of the king of Mithilā, the great-souled Rāma, bearing his bow, together with Lakṣmaṇa, went to the delightful hermitages. Let us now hear the eleventh chapter of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Araṇyakaṇḍa. Rāma walked ahead, Sītā, radiant, was in the middle, and behind followed Lakṣmaṇa, holding his bow. They wandered together, observing rocky slopes, forests, and enchanting rivers. Along the riverbanks, they saw cranes and chakravāka birds, and lakes filled with lotuses, teeming with waterfowl. Herds of deer bounded together, intoxicated and horned; buffaloes, wild boars, and elephants hostile to trees roamed. After a long journey as the sun set, they came upon a beautiful lake, ten yojanas wide. It was crowded with lotuses and water-lilies, adorned with herds of elephants, filled with cranes, swans, and kadamba birds, teeming with aquatic life. In this charming lake with clear waters, they heard the sounds of singing and instruments, though no one was seen. Curious, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa approached the sage named Dharmabhṛt. “O great sage,” Rāma asked, “hearing this wondrous thing, all of us are curious. Please tell us what this is.” Addressed thus by Rāghava, the sage devoted to righteousness began to recount the power of the lake. “The great sage Māṇḍakarṇi performed intense austerity for ten thousand years, subsisting only on air, while residing in the water. Then all the gods, led by Agni, became disturbed and gathered to discuss among themselves. ‘This sage desires a place among us,’ they said, troubled in mind. To obstruct his austerity, all the gods appointed five chief apsarases, radiant as lightning. By those apsarases, the sage, who had seen the highest and lowest, was brought under the sway of passion, fulfilling the gods’ purpose.” Thus, the story flows from Rāma’s promise to the sages, his journey with Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa through the forest, to the wondrous tale of Māṇḍakarṇi’s austerity and the divine intervention that followed.