TO THE FOREST

Thus Raama spoke to them in kindly tones. But they loved him all the more because of this and would not be consoled. Some Braahmanas, old in years and excellent in virtue, looking at the chariot wept and cried: "Why, O horses, do you carry our Raama into the forest? We have heard it said that horses are sharp of hearing. Listen to us then and bring back our Raama."

Hearing these words of yearning from old Braahmanas, Raama stopped the chariot. The three descended from it and went for ward walking.

The common people, leading citizens and wise elders, men of penance-why, even the birds on wings-tried to prevent Raama from going to the forest. The river Tamasa, says the poet, seemed to conspire with them, for now it flowed across his path. The chariot stopped on the river bank. Sumantra unyoked and watered the horses and let them loose to graze.

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