Though the Lord Rama and Lakshmana and Sita did their utmost to persuade him, the ferryman would accept nothing. The compassionate Lord then bestowed on him the boon of unalloyed devotion and bade him farewell.

Then the lord of the house of Raghu bathed in the Ganga and after worshipping a clay image of Shiva, bowed his head to the deity. With folded hands Sita addressed the celestial river (Ganga), ‘Mother, pray accomplish my desire,

- that I may return in safety with my husband and his brother and again adore you.’ In response to Sita’s prayer, steeped as it was in the nectar of love, the holy stream made gracious answer

‘Listen, O Sita, beloved consort of Raghubira! Who in the world knows not your glory? Those on whom you look become guardians of the spheres, and all the mystic powers wait upon you with folded hands

By deigning to address your petition to me you have shed on me a favour and highly exalted me. Yet, O venerable lady, bless you I must, just in order to prove my utterances true

With your beloved lord and his brother you shall return in safety to Ayodhya. Every wish of your heart shall be accomplished and your fair fame shall spread throughout the world.’

Sita rejoiced to hear Ganga’s benedictory words and to find that the divine river was propitious. Then the Lord bade Guha return home. At this his face grew pale and there was anguish I his heart