The chariot halted on the banks of the Tamasa River that night. Everyone slept, exhausted, from walking and from grief. While Sumantra unhitched the horses and watered and fed them. Rama, Seeta and Lakshmana said their evening prayers. Rama told Lakshmana and Seeta the value of keeping a fast as a way to become more strong-willed. Lakshmana laid out some grass for Rama and Seeta to sleep on while he stood guard all night along with Sumantra. As dawn broke, Rama spoke gently to Sumantra, “Everyone is asleep right now. Once they wake up, they will once again try to persuade me to return to Ayodhya. So, it is better I cross the river immediately.” Sumantra very quietly drove them deep into another part of the forest. When the citizens awoke, there was no sign of Rama and the others. Dejected, they returned to Ayodhya.
At Tamasa River
