There is, O lord, a very charming and holy spot called Panchavati. Sanctify, Lord, the forest of Dandaka (where it is situated) and relieve it of the great sage’s (i.e., Shukracharya’s ) grievous curse.

There abide, O lord of the house of Raghu, and show your grace to all the sages.’ On receiving the sage’s permission, Rama set out and speedily drew near to Panchavati.

After meeting the king of the vultures and variously strengthening the ties of love that held them together, the Lord stayed near the Godavari, where he built himself a cottage of leaves.

From the time that Rama took up his abode there the hermits lived happily an without fear. The hills, woods, streams and lakes were suffused with new beauty and day by day grew lovelier.

The many birds and beasts were full of joy, and the bees, with their sweet buzzing charmed the ear. Not even Shesha (the Serpent King) could describe the forest which was adorned by Rama in his manifest form.

One day, as the Lord was sitting at ease, Lakshmana addressed him in guileless words: ‘O Lord of gods and men and sages, and of all animate and inanimate creation! I ask you as my own special master.

- instruct me, my Lord, and tell me how I may adore the dust of your feet to the exclusion of everything else. Tell me of spiritual wisdom and dispassion and Maya (Illusion); tell me of that bhakti (devotion) which you make an occasion for extending your mercy.