After bathing him and his brothers and rubbing their bodies with unguents, they lovingly entertained them at a banquet of the six flavours. Then finding it a suitable opportunity, Rama said to them in accents full of amiability, affection and modesty:

‘The king is about to start for Ayodhya and has sent us here to take leave of you. Therefore, mother, he pleased to give us leave and ever regard us with affection as your own children’.

The ladies of the gynaeceum were distressed to hear these words and were too overwhelmed with emotion to speak a word. They all clasped the princesses to their hearts and while entrusting them to their lords made humble submission to them.

With humble submission Sita’s mother entrusted her to Rama, and with folded hands prayed again and again, ‘Ah, my son, you, I doubt not, are all-wise, and to you are apparent the thoughts of all. May you know that Sita is dear as life to the king and myself, nay, to all her kinsfolk and all the people of the city; considering her amiability and her affection, O Tulasi’s lord, treat her as your own hand-maiden.

You, O Rama, are the fullness of all desires, the crest-jewel of the wise, lover to love; you are quick to recognize the virtue of your votaries and destroy evil, Lord all-merciful!’

So saying, the queen remained clinging to his feet, as though her speech were lost in the quicksand of love. On hearing her tender, affectionate address, Rama paid his mother-in-law every respect.

With folded hands he begged her leave to depart, and again and again did obeisance. Having received her blessing, the lord of Raghus bowed his head once more and then with his brothers took his leave.