IN THE FOREST

Living at Chitrakoot did not make Rama happy anymore because everything there reminded him of dear Bharata. So they abandoned their hut in Chitrakoot and went to the Dandaka Forest.

The holy men who lived in this forest were troubled by some demons. So while the holy men performed rituals, Rama and Lakshmana kept guard. The two brothers killed several demons with their arrows, and the remaining demons ran away, too Lakshmana also killed the demon Viradha. The saints and the sages of the forest were thus saved from the cruelties of the demons by these two brothers.

Sage Agastya, the elder brother of Sage Vashistha, had been waiting for Rama for a long time. When Rama, Sita and Lakshmana visited the sage in his hermitage, he gave Rama a divine bow of Vishnu and advised him to move to Panchavati.

On their way, they met almighty vulture called Jatayu. Jayayu said, "O sons of Dashratha, I am your father's friend. Whenever you need my help just call me."

On reaching Panchavati, Rama, Sita and Lakshmana found it to be a beautiful place. They decided to stay there.

Lakshmana built a bamboo hut near River Godavari. When it was complete, he bathed in the river and then he prayed to the gods and placed a lotus flower in front of the door of the hut.

 Rama warmly hugged Lakshmana for making such a large and comfortable hut. The three started living there in peace.