Manu, the ancient progenitor, brought forth the human race through the great sage Kasyapa, dividing them into four orders: Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras, O best of men. From Manu’s mouth were born the Brahmins, from his chest the Kshatriyas; the Vaishyas came from his thighs, and from his feet arose the Shudras—so the scriptures declare. From Manu’s creation also sprang all the trees bearing virtuous fruits, as well as those without fire within them. Vinata and Shuki became his granddaughters, while Kadru and Surasa were sisters. Kadru gave birth to a thousand serpents, O supporter of the earth, and Vinata bore two sons: Garuda and Aruna. From Aruna, I was born, and my elder brother is Sampati. Know me as Jatayu, son of Syeni, O subduer of foes, Jatayu declared. If you wish, I will be your companion here, for this dense forest is frequented by beasts and demons. While you and Lakshmana are away, I will protect Sita, dear child. Hearing these words, Raghava honored Jatayu, embraced him joyfully, and bowed, remembering the tales his father had often told him of their friendship with the mighty bird. Then, entrusting Maithili Sita to Jatayu’s care, Rama set out for Panchavati with Lakshmana, his heart eager to destroy his enemies as fire consumes moths. Now, listen to the fifteenth sarga in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Araṇyakāṇḍa. Having reached Panchavati—a land teeming with serpents and deer—Rama, radiant in his splendor, spoke to his brother Lakshmana. “We have arrived, as the sage directed, at the very place he described. This is Panchavati, gentle one, a forest blossoming with flowers. Survey the surroundings, for you are skilled in the ways of the forest. In which place do you think our hermitage should be built?” He continued, “Find such a place, Lakshmana, where Vaidehi, you, and I may delight, and which is near a source of water. Let it be where the forest is charming, the water delightful, and where firewood, flowers, sacred grass, and water are close at hand.” Thus addressed, Lakshmana, with joined palms, spoke humbly in Sita’s presence, “O Kakutstha, I am ever dependent on you, even if you remain here a hundred years; but tell me to build the hermitage myself in a pleasing place.” Greatly pleased by Lakshmana’s words, Rama thoughtfully chose a place endowed with every virtue. He approached that delightful spot, took Lakshmana by the hand, and said, “This land is level and splendid, covered with blossoming trees. Here, gentle one, you should properly build the hermitage. Nearby is a lovely lotus pond, fragrant and shining like the sun, adorned with blooming lotuses. As the sage Agastya, pure in soul, described, this is the beautiful Godavari, surrounded by flowering trees. It is filled with swans and cranes, graced by chakravaka ducks, neither too far nor too close, and frequented by herds of deer. Charming hills are seen, tall and full of many caves, resounding with peacocks and covered with blossoming trees. They are adorned with sala, palmyra, tamala, date, and jackfruit trees, as well as nivara, tinisha, and punnaga trees. Mango, ashoka, tilaka, ketaka, and champaka trees grow here, along with flowering shrubs and vines of many kinds. There are also chariot, sandalwood, nipa, parnasa, and lakucha trees, along with dhava, ashvakarna, khadira, shami, kimshuka, and patala trees. This place is holy, delightful, and rich with many animals and birds; here, O Saumitri, we shall dwell together with this bird.” Thus instructed by Rama, Lakshmana, destroyer of foes and mighty in strength, quickly built his brother’s hermitage. He constructed a spacious leaf-hut with a firm earthen floor, well-supported by long posts and beautifully made with bamboo. He spread shami branches, tied them securely, and covered the hut well with kusa, kasa grass, reeds, and leaves. Leveling the pleasant ground, Lakshmana, for Raghava’s sake, made a most excellent and admirable dwelling. Then Lakshmana went to the Godavari river, bathed, gathered lotuses, and returned fulfilled. After making an offering of flowers and performing the rites of peace as prescribed, he showed Rama the hermitage he had built. Seeing that beautiful dwelling, Rama, together with Sita, felt the highest joy in the leaf-hut. Greatly delighted, Rama embraced Lakshmana with both arms and spoke to him, full of deep affection and warmth, “I am pleased with you for this great deed you have done, O noble one. It is for this reason that I have given you this embrace. O Lakshmana, one who understands the feelings of others, who is grateful, and who knows righteousness—such a son as you, my father did not have.” Having spoken thus, Raghava, the increaser of prosperity, remained happily in that fruitful place. For some time, that righteous one dwelled there, attended by Sita and Lakshmana, as happily as a god in heaven. Now, listen to the sixteenth sarga in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Araṇyakāṇḍa.