The moment Rama was about to step into the boat, the boatman said, “I have heard of you and of your powers. You turned a rock into a woman with the dust of your feet. My wooden boat is the only source of my livelihood. If you step into it and it turns into a female, I will lose my means to earn.” Rama smiled at his simplicity and said, “Wash my feet with water from the Ganga, so there will be no dust on them.”
Happily, the boatman washed Rama’s feet, applied that water to his lips and asked for forgiveness if he had done something wrong.
He seated the three of them in his old boat and ferried them across the river. When they reached the opposite bank, Seeta took off her jewelled ring and offered it to the boatman. “No, mother! I will not accept this. My life’s ambition has been fulfilled by seeing you and being blessed by you,” exclaimed the boatman who fell at Rama’s feet seeking his blessing. Rama blessed the boatman and the latter was elated. The boatman told Rama all about the forest.
Before carrying on their journey they bathed in the sacred Ganga; afterwards Rama made a Shivalinga of mud and worshipped it. Seeta offered her prayers to river Ganga who blessed her that she would return to Ayodhya safe and sound. Tears of joy were rolling down Seeta’s cheeks.
They walked in a single file along the banks of the Ganga. Lakshmana led the way with Seeta in the middle and Rama at the end. Thus they always made sure that Seeta was safe. At Prayagaraj, they bathed at the confluence of rivers known as Triveni and walked on to reach the ashrama of Sage Bharadwaja. Sage Bharadwaja affectionately hugged Rama. They all took food and drinks there and spent that night in the Sage’s hermitage.
Rama and Sage Bharadwaja talked about many things. During their conversation, Rama asked him where in the forest they could live safely and peacefully during the exile. Sage Bharadwaja suggested that they should go to Chitrakoot. Rama thanked him for his guidance. The next morning, Rama, Seeta and Lakshmana headed towards Chitrakoot.
