After living a year in Chitrakoot, Shri Ram, Devi Sita and Lakshman left for Dandakaranya, taking a cue from other tapasvis who were leaving the place because of the harassment of Khar, the cousin and a commander of Ravan who had made the survival of tapasvis difficult.

There was one more reason to leave Chitrakoot. This was the place where Bharat had come to take them back, but Shri Ram persisted with the exile. The memories of his loved ones was etched in the pain which made Shri Ram miss them.

He had thought that going to some other place would help avoid the painful reminders. On their way to Dandakaranya, the three stopped at the Ashram of Mahasati Anusuiya and her husband Saptrishi Atri.

Many years ago a draught had stuck chitrakoot, trees died, rivers dried while animals and birds suffered helplessly. To put an end to the suffering of scorched earth, Mahasati Anusuiya undertook intense tapasya.

The power of her austerities diverted the course of river Mandakini to the area, ending the draught and famine, making greenery flourish again.

Rishi Atri asked Devi Sita to seek the blessings of Anusuiya and requested his wife to bless her too. The Mahasati affectionately embraced Devi Sita.

Anusuiya was aware of the happenings in Ayodhya and Devi Sita's decision to follow her husband, giving up all the luxuries and privileges of royal life. No ordinary woman would've done this.

Anusuiya gifted Devi Sita her own invaluable garments and ornaments which would never wither or fade along with ointments.

After spending a night in the Ashram, the three made their way to Dandak van. From the moment they stepped in the forest, their journey was eventful.

A Rakshas named Viradh who got attracted to Devi Sita, abducted her with the intention to make her his wife. Shri Ram was so agonised that he blamed Kaikeyi for endangering Sita's life.

Lakshman ji motivated him to fight and not grieve. They brothers then attacked Viradh and after some struggle freed Devi Sita. They then killed the giant Rakshas.

After spending peaceful days in Chitrakoot, the three of them faced the dangers of forest life for the first time. Then the three went to the Ashram of Rishi Sharbhanga, where many Rishis seeked Shri Ram's help.

The man-eating Rakshas would harass them, disrupt the yagyas, ravage their ashram and even kill the sages who were peacefully living in the forest. This harassment was a source of entertainment for the Rakshasas.

The sages pleaded to Shri Ram to protect them. He readily agreed and assured protection to them. But this made Devi Sita anxious, the Rakshasas had done no harm to them, would killing them be righteous ? She pondered.

"Nath, meri samajh mei 3 prakar ke kriya kaamnao se utpan hoti hai. Asatya kehna, kisi anya ki stree ki ke prati vaasna ka bhaav rakhna aur unke prati hinsa karna jinhone apna kuch ahit nahi kiya. Aapka swayam pe niyantran hai aur aap anusaashit bhi hai, iss liye pehle 2 apraadh aap kar nahi sakte. Kintu mujhe chinta hai ki aap teesre apraadh ko karne jaa rahe hai." Devi Sita said.

"Tatparya ?" Shri Ram asked.

"Nath, Rishiyo ki baat maan ke aur swayam ko sashatra kar kadachit aap teesra apraadh karne jaa rahe hai. Rakshaso ne humara kya ahit kiya hai ? Jo aap unka vadh karne jaa rahe hai. Vanvas ka jeevan toh shaanti, tapasya, ahimsa aur kshama se jiya jata hai. Apne Kshatriya Dharma ka palan aap Ayodhya laut ke kar sakte hai." Devi Sita said.

Shri Ram had learned his lesson in Raj-dharm from Vishwamitra a long time ago. Being a prince Raj-dharm was his Swa-dharm, and one shouldn't deviate from it whether he or she is in forest or palace.

"Sitey, Rishi muni Rakshaso ke atank se peedit hai. Woh sadev iss bhaye mei rehte hai ki kaunsa Rakshas kab unn par akraman karde. Nirdosh Rishi Muniyo ke praan lena, keval manoranjan hetu, kya yeh paap nahi ? Ek Kshatriya Rajkumar hone ke karan mai nirdosho ko peedit hote nahi dekh sakta. Nirdosho ki suraksha sunishchit karna aur apraadhiyo ko dand dena mera dharm hai. Jiska palan mujhe karna hoga." Shri Ram said assertively.

Devi Sita nodded understanding from his perspective. Shri Ram smiled cupping her face.

"Priya Sitey, mai tumhari chinta ka samman karta hu. Mai jaanta hu tumne yeh baat prem aur sneh ke karan kahi hai. Mai bhi tumse atyant prem karta hu, apne praano se bhi adhik." Shri Ram said.

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Ab Rakshaso ke saath waisa hi hoga jo Danavo ke saath huya tha 🌝🌝

I can imagine Srinav cheering from behind for his sasur ji 🌝🌝✨✨

And ha Aranya kaand thoda speed se dikha rahi hu kyuki abhi Kiskindha kaand, Sundar kaand aur Yudh kaand baaki hai and next book mei Uttar Kaand ✨✨