115. Rāma's Sandals as King in Nandigrama [Bhārata leaves Ayodhyā to Nandigrama and crowns the sandals there and starts ruling the kingdom as its representative.] After making his mothers go to their homes the very sad Bhārata, who was stable in his words told the elders. 115.1 "I am going to Nandigrama and so I am taking leave from all

116. Sages Leave Chitrakūṭa [When Rāma sees the sages of Chitrakūṭa worried, he asks the reason for it. They say they are afraid that Khara, the brother of Rāvaṇa, would trouble them. Then those sages leave Chitrakūṭa for a safer place.] After Bhārata went back, Rāma continued to live in that forest of penance and he observed the anxiety and

117. Rāma Visits Sage Atri [Rāma along with Lakṣmaṇa and Sītā leave Chitrakūṭa and on their way, they visit the hermitage of sage Atri. Sītā meets Anasūyā, the wife of that sage, who talks about the Dharma of a wife.] After the sages left that place Rāma started thinking and due to very many reasons he did not like to

118. Sītā Talks to Anasūyā [Sītā tells Anasūyā that she is familiar with the Dharma of wife. Anasūyā presents ornaments, cloths etc. to Sītā. She requests her to tell about her Svayamvara.] When Anasūyā spoke like this, Sītā, without any jealousy, started slowly telling her words full of reverence. 118.1 "It is a wonder that a great lady like you

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

1. Rāma Enters Daṇḍakāraṇya [Rāma along with Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa enters the Daṇḍaka forest. The poet then describes the forest as the house of several sages. Those sages receive Rāma, Lakṣmaṇa and Sītā hospitably and seek their protection.] That Rāma steeped in the knowledge of himself and one who cannot be defeated entered the great Daṇḍakāraṇya and saw several hermitages

2. Rāma Meets Virādha [Virādha a giant with horrifying form appears before Rāma and takes hold of Sītā and keeps her on his lap. Rāma is slightly scared as well as horrified. Lakṣmaṇa tells Rāma that he would kill Virādha.] That Rāma who was greatly satisfied, immediately after sun rise took leave of those saints, entered the forest. 2.1 That

3. Fight with Virādha [Virādha tells Rāma that he cannot be harmed by any weapon due to the boon of Brahma. Though Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa fight with him using arrows they are not able to harm him. Virādha caught hold of Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa and carries them inside the forest.] Afterwards Virādha completely filling up the forest asked, "Please tell

4. Virādha is Killed [Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa break the hands of Virādha. He falls down. Since weapons are not able to kill him, they prepare to bury him. He tells them that he is Dhumburu cursed by Kubera and would regain his form if killed by Rāma. He tells them to go to the hermitage of Sārabhaṅga and dies. Rāma