Again and again Rama folded his hands and addressed each one present there in gentle tones: ‘He alone is my best friend who endeavours to make the monarch happy.

So act, O all you thoughtful and considerate citizens, that none of my mothers is smitten with grief at my absence.’

Thus did Rama exhort them all and cheerfully bowed his head before his guru’s lotus feet. Invoking Ganesha, Gauri (Parvati) and Mahesha. Rama set forth with their blessing.

As he sallied forth, there was great lamentation and a mournful wailing throughout the city, terrible to hear. Evil omens appeared in Lanka, and Ayodhya was plunged in grief, while mingled joy and sorrow possessed the hosts of heaven.

When the spell of unconsciousness broke, the king awoke to life and calling Sumantra, thus began, ‘Rama has gone to the forest, and yet my life flits not.

I wonder what joy it hopes to get by still clinging to this body? What more grievous pain than this can my soul endure to draw my breath out of my body? Then, composing himself, the king said, ‘Follow him, my friend, with your chariot.

Very delicate are the two princes, and Janaka’s daughter, too, is delicate; take them up into the chariot, show them the forest, and after four days return.