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Having spent the night there, those princes—repressors of their foes—after paying their obeisance unto*the Maharshi, set out for the mountain. And seeing them about to ‘set forth, that Maharshi performed a propitiatory ceremony for them, even" as a father does on behalf of the sons begot from his own loins. And that mighty ascetic, Bharadwaja having truth for his prowess, addressed them, saying,—"O best of men, do you coming to the confluence of the Ganga and the Yamuna proceed along the Ka4lindi river flowing westwards. Arriving at the Kalindi running in a contrary direction, you will, O Raghava, behold a goodly bathing place well-worn by foot-passengers. There constructing a raft, do you cross over the river who is the daughter of the Sun. Next coming to a gigantic banian tree with green foliage, named Sy&ma, surrounded by various trees and inhabited by ascetics of accomplished purposes, let Sité with joined hands offer humble supplications to it. Having come to the tree and, whether staying under it or proceeding along, after passing only a Krosa, you will, O Rama, see a wood abounding in Sallakis, Vadaris, and other wild trees belonging unto the Yamuna. I went to Chitrakuta many a time by that road, which is beautiful, sandy, and free from forest-fire.’’ Having directed the way, the Maharshi paused. Thereupon ‘Rama, saying,—'’‘So be it,” asked him to stop. On the ascetic turning away, Rama spoke unto Lakshmana, ‘We had surely acquired religious merit, good betide you, since, the ascetic has shown compassion unto us.” Having thus conversed with each other, those foremost of men endowed with intelligence, placing Sita in their front, proceeded towards the river Kalindi. And having arrived at the Kalindi of rapid currents, they desirous of crossing over, began to think (as to the means). Then with heaps of dry wild wood

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covered with grass, they constructed a large raft. And the puissant Lakshmana tearing twigs from the ratan and the rose-apple, made a comfortable seat for Sita. Then Dagaratha’s son, Rama, made his bashful wife (in power) inconceivable like unto Sree herself, ascend the raft, and carefully laid beside Vaidehi her attires and ornaments as well as the - hoe and the basket. And first having placed Sita on the raft, those sons of Dagaratha ascended themselves, and with glad hearts began carefully to cross (the stream). Having come near the middle of the K4lindi, Sita prayed unto her, saying, —Hail to thee, O goddess! I cross thee. If my husband can successfully perform his vow, I will worship thee witha thousand cows and an hundred vessels of wine, hail unto thee, upon Rama’s return to the city ruled by Ikshwaku.’’ Having thus prayed to Kalindi with joined hands, that virtuous lady, Sita, reached the southern bank thereof. And by means of that raft they crossed that fleet-coursing daughter of the Sun, heaving with billows—the river Yamuna with her banks abounding with innumerable trees. Then renouncing the raft, and passing by the woods adjoining the Yamuna, they came upon a banian Syama by name, of cool shade and verdant foliage. On coming to the banian, Vaidehi saluted it saying,—“O mighty tree, I bow unto thee. May my husband fulfil his vow; and may we hehold Kaucaly4 and the illustrious Sumitra.’’ Having thus prayed with joined hands, the intelligent Sita went away. Seeing the blameless and beloved Sita ever conducting herself properly,—praying, R4ma said unto Lakshmana, “Do thou, O younger brother of Bharata, taking Sit& with thee, go forward. O best of men, furnished with weapons, I will go in thy wake. Do thou procure Vaidehi with whatever fruits or flowers may please her and she may wish to have.” Seeing every tree and shrub crowned with blossoms unseen before, that one belonging to the softer sex questioned Rama about it. And hearing: Sit&’s words, Lakshmana brought unto her (fruits and flowers)

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of beautiful and flower-scattering trees of divers kinds. And beholding streams with water flowing over glittering sands and resounding with cranes of various kinds, the daughter of king Janaka felt exceeding delight. And having proceeded just a Krosa, those brothers, Rima and Lakshmana, having killed many a sacred deer, began to range in the woods of the Yamuna. And having disported in the beautiful woods resounding with multitudes of peacocks and inhabited by elephants and monkeys, they looking as lively as ever, coming to the level banks of the river, took up their quarters there.