The Road to the Forest (Ramayana Series 33)

Hearing the words of Śrī Rāma, Lakṣmaṇa replied respectfully, “O wise one! I too feel that this is the proper course. Please mount the chariot at once.”

Then Śrī Rāma said to Sumantra, “Sumantra! Harness the horses to the chariot quickly. Let us depart from here at once and proceed swiftly toward the forest without any delay.”

Immediately the charioteer fastened the horses and made the chariot ready for the journey. With folded hands he said, “The chariot is prepared for travel. Please ascend it at once along with Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa.”

Following Sumantra’s words, Śrī Rāma, accompanied by Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa, mounted the chariot and soon crossed the River Tamasa, whose waters flowed swiftly with swirling currents.

After crossing the Tamasa, Śrī Rāma alighted from the chariot and reached a broad path that was auspicious, free from thorns, without hardships, and safe even for those who feared the dangers of wild creatures. In order to mislead the citizens of Ayodhya who were following them, Śrī Rāma instructed Sumantra:

“O charioteer! Drive the chariot northward for some time. After travelling in that direction for a while, turn it back and return. Drive the chariot carefully in such a way that the people of the city will not know which direction we have taken.”

Hearing these words, Sumantra obeyed exactly as instructed. Being well-versed in the science of omens, he first turned the chariot toward the northern direction as an auspicious sign before continuing the journey. Thus Śrī Rāma, the illustrious scion of the Raghu dynasty, seated with Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa, proceeded deeper toward the forest.

When night passed and dawn arrived, the citizens of Ayodhya who had followed Rāma awoke from sleep. Not seeing their beloved prince, they were overcome with grief and stood helpless, not knowing what to do. With tear-filled eyes and sorrowful hearts, they lamented deeply. Having failed to accompany Śrī Rāma further, they felt their lives had lost purpose. Returning to Ayodhya in despair, they went to their homes and wept with their families for the noble prince.

Meanwhile, the lion-like Śrī Rāma continued his journey through the night, remembering the command of his father. When dawn arrived, he performed the morning Sandhyā worship and resumed his journey. Proceeding further, he reached the southern boundary of Northern Kosala.

Crossing the sacred Vedaśruti River, whose waters flowed auspiciously, Rāma advanced toward the southern direction, a region once sanctified by the presence of Sage Agastya. Travelling further along that path, he crossed the Gomati River, whose waters ultimately join the mighty Ganga, and whose banks were rich with fertile lands and grazing cattle.

Continuing his journey in the chariot drawn by swift horses, Śrī Rāma next crossed the Syandikā River, whose surroundings echoed with the melodious cries of peacocks and swans.

While travelling, Śrī Rāma showed Sītā the prosperous kingdom of Kosala, which had once been granted by Emperor Manu to King Ikṣvāku, the great ancestor of their dynasty. The land was rich in grain, wealth, and flourishing territories.

Then the noble Rāma said to Sumantra in gentle words:

“O charioteer! When shall I return from the forest and once again roam with my parents along the banks of the River Sarayu, wandering in the flower-laden groves and forests? It is said that royal sages of old would hunt in the forests for recreation. Though this sport has long been practiced by kings and warriors skilled in archery, I do not particularly desire it. Yet, after returning from the forest, I wish to spend a little time in those beautiful groves by the Sarayu, enjoying the forests as the kings of old once did.”

Thus, while expressing his thoughts in sweet and thoughtful words to Sumantra, Śrī Rāma—the noble descendant of the Ikṣvāku dynasty—continued his journey toward the forest.