Bamavijaya, 21

ed to take Lakshuman with him, went to his wife, Sita,
and said, " I am going to the forest of the demons for
fourteen years; and until I return to Ayoclya, 1 ask you to
live with Kausalya. I cannot take you with me in the
forest, as you are delicate and will not be able to bear 'hard-
ship with me." " T shall follow you, " replied Sita, " and
share any misfortune that may befall you. I, therefore,
go down on my knees and implore you not to leave me
here alone. " "Whereupon Rama consulted Yashista and
promised Sita that he would also take her with him. Lastly
he went to take his leave of Dasharatha, when the king
said with tears in his eyes, " I feel much for thee. the
wicked and wretched woman has done this all, and I do
not think that I shall live until thou returnest to Ayodya.
I shall die of grief for thee. As I cannot tell thee to break
the promise given by thee to Kayakayi, I give thee my cons-
ent to go to the forest. Child, take with thee all necessary
things and pass thy days in happiness." "Father/' replied
Kama, "I do not want any thing. I shall dress myself in
valkalyas* and pass my days in meditation." As soon as
Rama spoke these words, Kayakayi brought valkalyas and
placed them before Rama., Sita and Lakshuman, who dress-
ed themselves in them and set out for the forest with the
minister, Sumant. They arrived at Shramga Yera, where
Rama sat down for rest on the grass under the shade of a
tree near a beautiful river and, having refreshed himself
there, requested a fisherman called Guhaka, who was his
devotee, to convey him with Sita and Lakshuman to the
other side of the river. Guhaka asked him who he was,
when he informed him that he was Rama, the eldest son
of Dasharatha. Whereupon the fisherman, having embraced
Mm, conveyed him with Sita and Lakshuman to the
other side of the river, when Sumant took his leave of tho
grince and returned to Ayodya. Rama then went to the
: Barks of a tree.