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Sarg 55-On the Way to Chitrakoot

So they proceeded towards Chitrakoot. Muni performed some rites for their welfare - Swastyaayan etc and accompanied them for a distance as a father does for his son (and daughter-in-law). He said - "After approaching the Sangam you go through Yamunaa Bank which goes towards West. When you reach Yamunaa,  you cross it by making a raft. 

After that you will see a banyan tree - Shyaam Vat tree, whose leaves are green and several trees have joined it. There live many great people. Janak Dulaaree should worship that tree ask Var from it. It fulfills desires and wishes of all. You may stay there or go forward. After the distance of one Kos (Krosh) from there, you will see a Neel Kaanan (forest) with bamboo trees touching up on Yamunaa River and Sallak (Palaash) and Jujubey (Badaree) trees. I myself have gone from this way, it is very clean and there is no fear of forest fire." After guiding Raam Muni got silent. Raam greeted him with great Bhakti and proceeded on their journey. Bharadwaaj Muni came back to his Aashram. 

Now they all came out on the bank of Yamunaa. Both brothers built a raft on which Lakshman made a comfortable Aasan of soft branches of cane (Bent) branches and Jaamun (rose-apple) tree. Raam helped Seetaa to board the raft kept His things - two robes, jewelry, a shovel and a basket nearby Her along with weapons. When the boat was in the middle of the river, Seetaa prayed Yamunaa - "I am crossing you today with my husband and brother-in-law. When Raam and Lakshman will come back to Ayodhyaa, I will worship you with 1,000 cows and 100 pitchers of liquor."

Thus they arrived at the south bank of Yamunaa and came to Shyaam Vat tree. Seetaa prayed the tree - "Let my husband complete His vow, let me see Kaushalyaa and Sumitraa again." and She circumambulated the tree with joined palms.  Raam said to Lakshman - "You take Seetaa in front and I along with my weapons will follow you. [So Lakshman went in front, Seetaa in the middle and Raam was behind Seetaa.] Raam said to Lakshman - "Whenever Jaanakee expresses Her desire for any flower or fruit, or water, you may give it to Her."

Seetaa saw many trees, bush, creeper blooming, She had never seen before, so She asked about them. Lakshman brought several branches full of flowers. Seetaa got very happy to hear various sounds of cranes and swans also. Only after a couple of miles of walk Raam and Lakshman killed several deer in the river-forest of Yamunaa, ate them and stayed there overnight amongst the noise made by elephants and peacocks.

Sarg 56-Raam in Chitrakoot

Raam gently woke up Lakshman who was sleeping without break even after the night had passed and said  - "See and listen to these sounds of wild animals. It is time to make a move from here, so let us move from here now." Lakshman woke up completely, took bath in Yamunaa waters and then all proceeded forward towards Chitrakoot. Raam showed Seetaa Kinshuk (Palaash) trees blossomed with red flowers as if they were blazing up in that winter. They also saw cashew nut trees which were still laden with fruits.

Then they came to Chitrakoot. Raam said to Lakshman - "See Lakshman, Here are many beehives, Chaatak bird is crying and a peacock is responding, there are high peaks of hills, it looks beautiful. Let us find some ground-level space with many trees, fruits, clear water, and settle down there.

After deciding thus Raam, Seetaa and Lakshman went to Maharshi Vaalmeeki's Aashram. There he welcomed them, offered Aasan and asked their welfare. Raam told him everything which concerned him. Then He said to Lakshman - "You go and collect some woods to build something to live here." Lakshman brought several big trees and soon He built a leaf-hut. Raam got very happy to see it, as it was firmly built, and thatched and it looked beautiful too.

Raam said to Lakshman - "Bring the meat of an antelope, we will perform the purification ceremony while entering the house. It is done to live long. Boil the meat and we will worship the leaf-hut. This moment is of very distinctive character." Lakshman killed a holy black antelope and made certain that its limbs are completely cooked brought it to Raam and and asked Him to worship because Raam knew the Mantra. Raam worshipped all Devtaa methodically, purified Himself and entered the hut. After taking bath Raam offered sacrifices to Rudra Devtaa and Vishnu Devtaa after Vaishwaadev worship. Lakshman erected worshipping altars wherever they were needed in the leaf-hut.

Raam, Lakshman and Seetaa satisfied spirits by offering flowers, roots, fruits and cooked meat, water, prayers, Kush grass etc to them. Then they entered the leaf-hut for residential purpose. Chitrakoot was so beautiful with many kinds of trees, birds, animals, and Maalyavatee River that they forgot the grievances of their exile..

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