Rāmāyana | Ayodhyā K| Chapter 119

119. Rāma Takes Leave of Sage Atri 

[After Sītā tells Rāma all that Anasūyā asked and showed him all that she gave, they take leave of the sage and go deep in to the forest.] 

Anasūyā, the follower of Dharma, after hearing that great story, hugged Sītā and kissed her on her head. 119.1 

"You have with clear words drawn a sweet picture about what happened during the Svayamvara and I now clearly know what happened and I firmly enjoyed, Oh sweet speaking Sītā." 119.2 

"The sun is drawing the peaceful night near him and is setting and the twittering of birds which were wandering everywhere in search of food during the day time and after seeing the twilight are returning for sleep and rest, is heard." 119.3-119.4 

"These sages who are wet with bating are returning with the water filled water pot and completely wet cloths made of bark." 119.5  "The sages have lit the fire for doing worship of the fire as per rules and the wafting smoke of the colour of the pigeon is being seen." 119.6 

"In spite of having sparse leaves, the trees appear dense and the four directions, which draw our senses apart do not shine brilliantly." 119.7 

"The nocturnal animals have started moving about and the domestic animals of the hermitage have started sleeping around the altar." 119.8 

"Oh Sītā, the night decorated by the orbit of stars has commenced and the moon appears to rise spreading the mantle of moon light." 119.9 

"I am giving consent for you to go now to Rāma. Go and be companion to Rāma and I would like to tell that I am greatly pleased with your sweet story telling." 119.10

"Oh Maithili, decorate yourself in my presence and cause me happiness by decorating yourself with these divine ornaments." 119.11 

Then Sītā decorated herself with those ornaments and looked like the daughter of devas and saluted Anasūyā with bent head and went to meet Rāma. 119.12 

The most eloquent Rāma after seeing Sītā well ornamented was greatly pleased with the loving presents given by that lady saint. 119.13 

Sītā the princess of Mithilā related everything to Rāma and showed him the cloths, jewels and garlands so lovingly given to her. 119.14 

Both Rāma and the great charioteer Lakṣmaṇa were extremely pleased seeing the honour done to Sītā which was very rare among human beings. 119.15 

Thereafter the descendent of Raghu who had a face like moon, having been extended a great hospitality by those great sages, passed the auspicious night happily. 119.16  

When the night came to an end Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa took bath and performed sacred offerings to the fire and after worshipping the forest took leave of those sages. 119.17 

Those sages who live in the forest and who follow Dharma told them that the forest was overwhelmed by movement of Rākṣasas. 119.18 

"Oh Rāma, in this great forest flesh eating Rākṣasas of different forms and blood drinking wild animals reside." 119.19 

"Oh Rāma in this great forest, they eat away impure or not vigilant sages and please prevent them." 119.20 

"There is a path in the forest through which sages collect food and fruits and through this path you can cross this impassable forest easily." 119.21

Then those sages saluted Rāma and they blessed the slayer of enemies Rāma, for a safe journey and after that Rāma entered the forest like a sun entering the cloud along with his wife and Lakṣmaṇa. 119.22 

This is the end of One Hundred and Nineteenth Sarga of Ayodhyā Kanda which occurs in Holy Rāmāyaṇa composed by Vālmīki as the First Epic. 

End of Ayodhyā Kanda.