But in this case we find that one commits the offence and another reaps the fruit; most mysterious are the ways of the Blessed Lord. Who in the world can comprehend them? (Kaikeyi is now the offender sitting in judgment on an innocent person like you banishing you to the woods; she commits the crime and you suffer the penalty.)

The king in his anxiety to detain Rama tried every honest expedient, but when he discovered Rama’s intention and saw that he was bent on going, a champion of righteousness, strong-minded and foresighted as he was,

- the king clasped Sita to his bosom and most lovingly admonished her in every possible way, telling her of all the unendurable hardships of forest life and reminding her of the comforts she might enjoy if she chose to stay with her husband’s parents or at her father’s house.

But Sita’s soul was attached to Rama’s feet; neither home seemed attractive to her nor the forest repulsive. Everyone else too warned Sita with stories of the manifold troubles to be encountered in the forest.

The minister’s (Sumantra’s) wife and the guru’s – both prudent dames – lovingly and tenderly said, ‘Nobody has exiled you to the forest; do as you are bidden by your lord’s parents and the guru.’

This advice, soothing, friendly, agreeable and tender though it was, did not sound pleasing to Sita’s ears; she was only troubled by it, like the chakavi when touched by the rays of the autumn moon.

Sita was too embarrassed to make any reply. But Kaikeyi flared up on hearing it, and bringing hermits’ robes and ornaments and vessels, she placed them before Rama and addressed him in soft accents, -