Swiftly the car reached the most charming forest of Dandaka, the abode of many a great sage like Kumbhaja (the jar-born Agastya) and others; Rama visited the hermitage of them all.

After receiving the blessing of all the seers, the Lord of the world arrived at Chitrakuta; and, having gladdened the hermits there, the chariot again sped swiftly on.

Rama next pointed out to Janaki the beautiful Yamuna, the noble river that wishes away the impurities of the Kaliyuga. Then beholding the holy Ganga, Rama said, ‘Sita, make obeisance.

Now have a look at Prayaga, most sacred of all holy places, the sight of which drives away the sins committed in a myriad lives. See again the all-sanctifying Triveni (the confluence of the Ganga, the Yamuna and the subterranean Sarasvati), the dispeller of sorrow and a ladder to Hari’s realm; and now behold the most holy city of Ayodhya, which heals all the three kinds of pains and destroys the sickness of birth and death.

The gracious Rama and Sita did obeisance to the city of Ayodhya. Tears rushed to his eyes and the hair of his body bristled as again and again he experienced unbounded joy.

Then the Lord landed at Triveni and bathed there with much joy, and both he and the monkeys bestowed a variety of gifts on the Brahmans.

The Lord Rama then gave this instruction to Hanuman: ‘Assume the guise of a Brahman student and go into the city of Avadh. Tell Bharata of my well-being, and then return with all the news of him.’