that Sita was innocent and so 1 accepted her.

But the terrible things people are saying make

me unhappy. 1 would give up my life, even renounce all of you, for the fear of a scandal.
How can 1 hesitate or do anything less in Sita's case? So you see why 1 am so upset .
.. Tomorrow morning, Lakshamana, tell Sumantra to hove the chariot ready. Take Sita and
leave her just outside the borders of the kingdom! The Sage Valmiki's hermitage lies on the
banks of the Tamasa, on the far shores of the Ganga. Leave her in that desolate place
and come back quickly. She has already said she would like to visit the sages who live by
the Ganga. Let her wishes be fulfrlled."

~ :q~

~~
.
,. . .. -

wma 'Jtacr&rea<R ~~,

\3U~Q'tl W("tld1Litcet RttS(e:n<ffi: ~16?4'31: 11

Do you, O Lakshamana, next morning, ascending the chariot

driven by Sumantra, take away Sita to another country.
Rama sent away his brothers with tears in his eyes. When the night had passed, Lakshamana called for Sumantra with a heavy heart and pale face. He asked Sumantra to
yoke swift horses to the finest chariot and to place a comfortable seat for Sita to sit. He
asked Sumantra to bring the chariot so that Sita could be token to the sages' settlements.
Sumantra prepared a chariot with fine, soft cushions in it and brought it around and informed
Lakshamana that the chariot was ready.
Lakshamana went into the palace and said to Sita, "The king has asked me to take you to
the banks of the Ganga, to the sages' settlements there." Sita was delighted and was eager
to leave. She prepared for her departure by taking all her lovely clothes and jewels. "1 will
give these to the wives of the sages," she said to Lakshamana as he helped her into the
chariot.
"1 see bad omens, Lakshamana!" said Sita. "My eye twitches, my limbs trembie and my heart
is uneasy. My enthusiasm wanes, my courage falters and the whole world seems devoid of
happiness. 1 hope everything is alright with your eldest brother and all your other brothers
as well as with all my mothers-in -law. May all be well with citizens and all creatures!" Sita
joined her palms and invoked the blessings of the gods. Lakshamana bowed his head and
repeated, "May all go well!" even though his heart was heavy.
They reached the banks of the Gomati and rested for the night. In the morning, Lakshamana
said to Sumantra, "Yoke the horses quickly! 1 want to bathe in the Ganga!"
He asked Sita to climb into the chariot and with horses that traveled as swiftly as thought,
they had reached the banks of the Ganga by mid-day.