Seeing my distress, Raghunatha summoned up courage and addressed me thus in sweet accents: “Friend, give my salutation to my father and embrace his lotus feet again and again.

Then fall at his feet and submit to him thus: ‘Father, be not worried on my account; by your grace and goodwill and as reward of your virtuous deeds my journey to the woods will be happy and full of blessings.

By your grace, dear father, I shall have every comfort on my journey in the forest, and, having obeyed your command, shall come back safe to behold your lotus feet again.’ Then comfort all my mothers ad fall at their feet again and again and with profuse entreaties make every effort – says Tulasidasa – to make the king of Kosala pass his days happily.

Clasping my guru’s lotus feet again and again, give him this message: ‘Pray so exhort the lord of Ayodhya that he may no longer grieve for me.’

Beseech all the citizens and the people of the household and convey to them, friend, my submission: ‘He is my best benefactor who ensures the king’s happiness.’

Again, when Bharata comes, give him this message: ‘Abandon not the path of rectitude when you ascend the throne; cherish your subjects I thought and word and deed, and serve each queen-mother with equal respect.

Again, brother, fulfil your brotherly duty to the end, doing all service to our parents and kinsmen; and, brother, so (lovingly) tend your father that he may never sorrow on my account.’ ”