25. Kauśalya Bids Farewell to Rāma [Kauśalya advices Rāma about forest life, prays for his safety and bids him farewell.] After abandoning her tiresomeness, Kauśalya purified herself by touching pure water, and performed auspicious ceremonies to Rāma. 25.1 "Oh best among the Raghu clan, since I am not able to dissuade you, you may go now, but return speedily. Please

26. Rāma Tries to Bid Farewell to Sītā [Seeing the dejected Rāma, Sītā is upset and worried. Rāma tells her as to what happened and asks her permission for him to go. He tells her as to how she should live after he leaves to the forest.] After saluting Kauśalya, who did rituals for his welfare, that follower of Dharma

27. Sītā Requests Rāma to Take Her to Forest [Sītā tells that without Rāma, even heaven would be like hell to her. She tells that if Rāma is present, she will enjoy her life in the forest. She says that she would prefer to die, if she is left out in Ayodhyā.] Hearing all this, the sweet talking daughter of

28. Rāma's Advice to Sītā [Rāma then tells large number of realistic reasons which would make life in forest difficult for a lady and says, he will not take her with him.] That expert in Dharma who liked Dharma spoke to Sītā, thinking about the difficulties in the forest and not willing to take her there. 28.1 That Soul of

29. Sītā Pleads with Rāma [Sītā tells Rāma that astrologers had predicted that she would live in the forest. She further tells him that she would be safe as he would protect her.] Hearing these words, Sītā who was made sorrowful by Rāma, with flowing tears from the eye told slowly as follows. 29.1 "All those difficulties that you mentioned

30. Rāma's Permission to Sītā [Sītā lashes out at her husband and makes it clear that she would not live without him. Understanding her spirit, Rāma permits her to accompany him and tells her to distribute all her luxurious possessions among her servants and Brahmins.] To Rāma who was trying to appease the daughter of Janaka regarding living in the

31. Rāma's Permission to Lakṣmaṇa [Lakṣmaṇa requests permission to accompany Rāma and Sītā. Initially Rāma protests saying that Kaikeyi would trouble Kausalya and Sumitrā. Lakṣmaṇa points out the virtues of Bhārata and says that their mothers would be safe. Lakṣmaṇa is permitted to accompany Rāma and Sītā.] Lakṣmaṇa, the delight of the Raghu clan, who had already come there already,

32. Rāma Distributes Wealth [Rāma distributes all his matchless and enormous wealth to all the Brahmins including Sujajñā, Vasiṣṭha and a poor learned Brahmin called Trijaṭā.] After hearing that auspicious command that he liked, Lakṣmaṇa went and entered the home of Sujajñā. 32.1 Lakṣmaṇa went and saluted that Brahmin who was near the fire sanctuary and told him, "Oh friend,

33. Rāma Goes to Daśaratha's Palace [Rāma, Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa walk down to the palace of Daśaratha. All people on the way are saddened and decide to go with Rāma wherever he goes.] After giving away plenty of wealth to the Brahmins, Rāma, Lakṣmaṇa along with Sītā went to see their father. 33.1 The dazzling weapons that they were holding