Travel to Panchavati
Sage Agastha looked at Rama “Child! You with Sita and Lakshamana came here to meet me and did namaskaram, I am very pleased wth that. Due to the strenuous walking I am able to see the sweat in your body. Janaki (Sita) who has been brought up in opulence (Lad Pyaar) seems to be more strained and is evident she wants to relax. She has never undergone any sorrow. Despite living in this forest of regular troubles and tribulations, owing to the deep affinity she has for her husband she is not bothered about them.She coming with you to the Forest is a Bold action. It is your duty to see to it that She does not undergo much trouble and made comfortable. It is normal behavior of Women to enjoy while husband is well off and leave him when he is suffering.Their behaviour changes Like Lightning often. Their Manam {Chitha (Memory) + Inner Conscience Mind + Intellect (Bhuddhi) + Ego} is cruel like Weapons. They will forget the Affection of Long time in fraction of a second. Their impetuousness in doing tasks swiftness and Speed without enquiring can not be matched even by Air or Garuda (God of Eagle); But these sinful traits, not one of them is with Sita. Further she is worthy of celebration by the Pious. Like Arundahti she is first amongst Pathivratha (pure pristine and Noblest, Chaste, Loving, Humble dotting Wife not falling prey to Fame, Money or Power).This Ashram with august presence of you three is honoured” - said Sage Agasthya.
Rama said “Lord! I am blessed by you and have got enriched. You are noble and fulfill aspirations of those who come near you .isn’t it a great honour to satisfy you with our Virtues, aren’t we indeed Bhagysaali (extremely Blessed and obtained charmingly Great Good Fortunes)? Still show us a place where we can live in Solitude and Sukham (Comfort, Luxury, Joy, Fun, Cheer, Love, Affection and fulfilled Desires with relevance to Forest Life). It should be with lot of Trees and with water facilities” - Prayed Rama. Then Agasthya deeply thought of future events likely to take place and considered the most appropriate place and decided and said “Rama! about ½ mile from here there is a place called Panchavati. There you will get fruits, roots in abundance. Many Animals wander there without endangering. There you can make a hermitage and live comfortably. Major part of the tenure of your Forest Life which you promised to Dasaratha is over. After completion of your Pledge you will return to Ayodhya and live comfortably. Like Yayathi crossed this ocean of Life by his eldest son, so has Dasratha been blessed by begetting you as son and has crossed this ocean of birth and became Dhanya ( enriched spiritually, emotionally, happily in this and outer world). So far whatever happened I came to know with the Power of my Penance and also due to my affinity for Dasaratha. I requested you to stay with us here. You replied that you would like to have a place where you can live in solitude. From that I inferred your intentions (indicating Kara Dhooshana’s Slaying to happen). You can go to Panchavati. That is a beautiful place. It is very close to Godhavari river; it is filled with Unique birds and animals. It is apt place where you will get all the things you need. Sita will live happily there. You and your wife can live in solitude. There you will rescue the Thapasivis (Saints performing penance ) from Danger. There can you see the illuppai Tree grove? From there on the right there is a path one Banayan Tree and then, if you climb a Mound, one hill will appear. Panchavati is near that. You can take it that place will have Flowers all the time as a Landmark” - said Sage Agasthya.
Then they worshipped the Sage and did Pradhakshinam (Going around in clockwise direction) and did Namskara and took permission to leave with Ambara (Quivers hosting the Arrows) on their back and with Bow in their hands went on that path shown by Sage Agasthya towards Pancahvati. (Slokas 28).
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