Ayodhya Kaanda
73 - Sri Rama, Sita and Laksmana proceed to the woods and slip past the citizens buried in slumber
Chaupais
Description
Then Sumantra delivered to them the king's message and with humble submission persuaded Sri Rama to ascend the chariot. Having mounted the chariot Sita and the two brothers set out on their journey mentally bowing their head to Ayodhya. Finding Ayodhya masterless with the departure of Sri Rama all those who had assembled there followed in their wake with an agitated mind. Sri Rama remonstrated in many ways, an ocean of compassion that He was; and the crowd turned homewards. But dragged by the affection they bore for Him they came back and joined the party once more. Ayodhya presented a most dismal appearance as though it were the dark night of final dissolution of the universe. The men and women of the city looked like ghastly creatures and were frightened to see one another. Their houses appeared like so many crematories, their retainers like ghosts, and their sons, relations and friends like messengers of death. Trees and creepers in the gardens withered, while streams and ponds repelled the eyes