Ayodhya Kaanda
73 - Sri Rama, Sita and Laksmana proceed to the woods and slip past the citizens buried in slumber
Chaupais
Description
All stood restless due to their separation from Sri Rama; they looked like so many pictures drawn here and there. The city resembled an extensive and thick forest full of fruits and the many men and women residing therein represented so many birds and beasts. God assigned Kaikeyi the role of a Bhila woman who set the whole forest in a fierce blaze. The people could not bear the fire of separation from the Chief of Raghus and they all ran away in distress. They all came to this conclusion in their mind: "There can be no happiness without Rama, Laksmana and Sita. The whole community will live where Rama takes up his abode; without the Hero of Raghu's race we have no business in Ayodhya." Having thus firmly resolved they followed Him forsaking their happy homes, which were the envy of gods. Can the pleasures of sense overpower those who hold the lotus feet of Sri Rama dear to their heart?