Everyone who witnessed her kindness said, ‘Rama’s mother that she is, no wonder she should be so loving.’ Seating Bharata in her lap, the mother wiped away his tears and said soothingly

‘I adjure you, my child, to compose yourself even now; knowing this to be an unpropitious time, sorrow no more. You know the course of destiny and fate to be unalterable; think no more then of your loss and vexation!

Blame no one, my son, for it is God who has set his face against me in every way and will not let me die even in the midst of so much sorrow; who knows what may be his pleasure with me now?

At his father’s command, dear son, Raghubira discarded his ornaments and his princely dress and put on the hermit’s garb (of the bark of trees) without either sorrow or exultation.

With a cheerful countenance, and without either joy or anger, he comforted all in every way and set out for the forest. When she heard of it, Sita followed him and would not stay behind, so profound was her devotion to Rama’s feet

Lakshmana also, when he heard the news, rose up and accompanied them; he would not be left behind even though Raghunatha tried his best to dissuade him. Then Raghunatha bowed his head to all and set forth with Sita and his younger brother (Lakshmana).

Thus Rama, Lakshmana and Sita left for the woods, whereas I neither accompanied them nor sent my spirit after them. All this took place before my eyes, and yet – luckless that I am – my should did not desert my body.