“The NiƒŒda showed great hospitality and the party spent that night in the village of Si˘garaura (ݾ˘gaverapura). At daybreak they sent for the milk of the banyan tree and the two brothers coiled up their matted hair in the shape of a crown. Then RŒma’s friend (Guha) called for a boat and after helping S¶tŒ to board it Ýr¶ RŒma followed suit. Lakƒma˜a placed on it in an orderly way the two bows and quivers and himself boarded the boat on receiving the Lord’s command. Seeing my distress the Hero of Raghu’s race summoned up courage and addressed me in sweet accents: ‘Sire, convey my obeisances to dear father and clasp his lotus feet again and again. Then, falling at his feet submit to him thus: ‘Father, be not worried on my account. By your grace and goodwill and as a reward of your meritorious acts my journey to and sojourn in the woods will be happy and full of blessings. (1—4)