| Raama spent the night in Bharadwaaja's
aashrama. Getting up in the morning, they paid their respects to the Maharishi and, taking
leave of him, set out for the Chitrakoota hill. The munitreated them affectionately as if
they were his own children and sent them forth with his blessings after explaining to them
the way they should take through the forest.
The three followed his topographical
instructions closely and in due course came upon the river Kaalindi. They constructed a
raft with logs and bamboos and creepers of the forest and on it Lakshmana
made a seat for Seeta with little twigs and leaves on which she &t. The passage of the
river was accomplished in safety.
In midstream Seeta offered salutations to
the river goddess and prayed that Raama might fulfil his vow and the three be enabled
safely to return home. |
