Ayodhya Kand
Narration
When Lord Rama, having received permission for exile, set out from Ayodhya toward the forest, he eventually reached the banks of the sacred Ganga at Shringaverpur, where he decided to spend the night. There, Nishadraj Guha came to welcome him with great devotion.
Crossing the wide and beautiful land of Kosala, Lord Rama — the wise elder brother of Lakshmana — turned toward Ayodhya, folded his hands, and said softly,
“O noble city, crown jewel of the Ikshvaku kings, I bow to you. I bow to all the deities who dwell in you and protect you. Please grant me permission to go to the forest. After completing the years of exile and fulfilling my father’s command, I shall return to see you again and meet my parents.”
Then, the handsome, red-eyed Rama lifted his right arm, tears flowing from his eyes, and spoke sadly to the people of the land:
“You have shown me great kindness and affection, and endured much suffering for my sake. It is not right that you continue to grieve. Please go now and return to your own duties.”
Hearing this, the people bowed to Rama, circumambulated him, and wept bitterly. Their eyes still longed for one more glimpse of him, but soon Rama vanished from sight, just as the sun disappears at dusk.
Rama continued on his chariot, passing through the fertile and prosperous region of Kosala. The land was beautiful and peaceful, filled with generous people, sacred trees, groves, mango orchards, lakes full of clear water, and the sound of Vedic chants echoing in every village. Everywhere there was abundance and devotion.
As Rama went further, he came to the divine river Ganga — cool, pure, and serene, adored by sages, gods, and celestial beings. Her banks were lined with hermitages and gardens. Apsaras often descended to bathe in her waters; Gandharvas, Nagas, and Kinnaras glorified her. The roar of her waves striking the rocks sounded like her laughter; her foam was like her radiant smile. At places she was deep and still, elsewhere swift and roaring. Swans and cranes cried joyfully, and trees on her banks bent like garlands over her shining flow.
That holy river — born from the feet of Lord Vishnu, descended by Bhagiratha’s penance, and held first in Lord Shiva’s matted hair — flowed there near the town of Shringaverpur. Seeing her waves glistening, Rama said to his charioteer Sumantra,
“Suta, today we shall rest here, by the Ganga. Beneath that great Ingudi tree, blooming with fresh leaves and flowers, we will spend the night. From there, I shall behold the sacred river that blesses gods, humans, and all beings alike.”
Lakshmana and Sumantra agreed joyfully and guided the horses to that place. (This “Ingudi tree” — Didi, if you know more about it, please tell us sometime!) There, Rama, with Sita and Lakshmana, alighted from the chariot. Sumantra freed the horses and stood humbly beside Rama, who sat under the tree.
In Shringaverpur ruled Nishadraj Guha, born in the Nishada clan, a strong and noble king, dear to Rama as his own life. When he heard that Rama had entered his land, he came with his ministers and relatives. Seeing Rama and Lakshmana in bark garments, his heart filled with pain. Embracing Rama, he said,
“Lord, this land is yours, just as Ayodhya is. Please tell me — how may I serve you? You are a most precious guest. Who is so fortunate as I am to have you here?”
He offered fine food and drink of many kinds and said,
“Mighty-armed one, all this land is yours. We are your servants; you are our master. Please accept these best foods, drinks, and delicacies, as well as soft beds and fodder for your horses.”
Rama replied gently,
“My friend, your coming here on foot and your affection have already completed your worship of me. I am pleased simply to see you well. But I cannot accept any luxury now. During this time, I wear bark and deer-skin, live on fruits and roots, and follow the vow of forest life. What I can accept is only what is needed for the horses’ food and drink — for they were dear to my father, King Dasharatha. By caring for them, you will have fully honored me.”
Guha immediately ordered his men to bring grass, grain, and water for the horses. That evening, Rama performed his twilight prayers and took only water, brought by Lakshmana, as his meal. Then Rama spread a mat of grass upon the earth and lay down with Sita beside him.
Lakshmana stood nearby, holding his bow, alert and wakeful. Sitting under another tree with the charioteer Sumantra, he guarded Rama through the night. Thus the great, noble Rama — who had never known sorrow, who was born for happiness — spent that first night of his exile on the ground beneath the trees. For Lakshmana, too, the long night passed slowly, without sleep.
Lakshmana’s Vigil and Guha’s Compassion
Seeing Lakshmana awake and guarding his brother, Nishadraj Guha felt deeply moved. He said,
“Prince, a soft bed is ready for you — please rest. We are forest dwellers, used to hardship; you were raised in comfort and deserve rest. Let us stay awake and protect Rama and Sita. By serving Rama tonight, I shall gain fame, virtue, wealth, and happiness. I and my people will guard him with our bows all night long.”
Lakshmana replied,
“O pure-hearted Guha, your faith and protection make this place safe for us. But how could I sleep when my brother — whom gods and demons together cannot face in battle — lies here on the bare ground with Sita? My father, King Dasharatha, will not survive this sorrow. Mother Kaushalya, tormented by Rama’s absence, may perish; my own mother Sumitra will not remain after her. And Ayodhya, filled with Rama’s devotees, will lose its joy and brightness.”
Speaking thus, Lakshmana wept. Guha too was overwhelmed with grief, like an elephant struck by fever, and tears streamed from his eyes.
Rama Sends Sumantra Back
When dawn came, Rama said to Lakshmana,
“Dear brother, the night has passed; the sun will soon rise. The cuckoo is calling, and peacocks are crying in the forest. Let us now cross the Ganga.”
Lakshmana called Guha and Sumantra and asked them to prepare the boat. Guha ordered his minister to bring a strong and beautiful boat with oars and a skilled helmsman. When it arrived, Guha bowed and said to Rama,
“Lord, the boat is ready. Please tell me what else I can do for you.”
Rama replied kindly,
“You have fulfilled my wish, dear friend. Load our things, and let us cross quickly.”
Then Rama and Lakshmana put on their armor, tied their quivers and swords, and went with Sita toward the riverbank. Sumantra bowed and said,
“Lord, what are your orders for me now?”
Rama touched his shoulder and said,
“Sumantra, return to King Dasharatha. Tell him we have gone to the forest as commanded, and that he should not grieve for us. Care for him well — he is aged and sorrowful. Tell Mother Kaushalya that her son is safe and calm, and give my respects to all the queens, even to Kaikeyi. Tell Bharat that when he returns, he must accept the kingdom and serve all mothers equally. That will please our father and bring peace to all.”
Sumantra, weeping, said,
“How can I return alone to Ayodhya without you? When the people see this empty chariot, their hearts will break. Let me come with you; otherwise, I shall enter fire with this chariot.”
But Rama comforted him,
“Sumantra, I know your love, but you must go. Kaikeyi will only believe I’ve gone if she sees you return. That will ensure peace in the kingdom. Please do this duty for me.”
Sumantra bowed and, though his heart was heavy, accepted the command.
Rama’s Transformation and Crossing the Ganga
Then Rama said to Guha,
“Friend, it is not proper for me to stay in a place where many people come and go. I must now dwell in the deep forest as an ascetic. Bring me the milk of the banyan tree, so that I may make matted locks of hair, as the forest-dwellers do.”
Guha brought it at once. With that sap, Rama and Lakshmana tied up their hair into matted locks and, wearing bark garments, looked like sages — serene and radiant.
After instructing Guha to guard his kingdom well, Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana stepped into the boat. Guha ordered his men to row. The boat glided swiftly over the shining current. In midstream, Sita joined her palms and prayed:
“O Mother Ganga, these are the wise sons of King Dasharatha. Please protect them as they fulfill their father’s command. After fourteen years, may they safely return to Ayodhya. When that day comes, I shall worship you with joy — with gold, grains, and garments — and offer you a thousand gifts.”
Having prayed thus, Sita bowed to the river. The boat reached the southern bank. Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita stepped ashore, offered final salutations to the holy Ganga, and began their journey southward toward the forest of Prayag.
As they disappeared into the woods, Sumantra stood long on the riverbank, gazing after them until they vanished from sight. Tears filled his eyes, and his heart was heavy.
Meanwhile, Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita walked on together through the new land — Rama following behind, ever watchful, Lakshmana leading to protect the way, and Sita walking between them, entering at last into the great, silent forest.