The Blessings of Atri and Anasuya

After Bharat left, Ram felt that people from Ayodhya would keep coming to Chitrakoot, and that its memories would trouble his heart. So he decided to go further south into the forests. On the way they reached the ashram of the sage Atri. Atri welcomed Ram with the love of a father.

Atri's wife was Devi Anasuya, a great ascetic and a pativrata. It is said that once, during a terrible drought, her penance alone made fruits and flowers grow in the forest and set the Mandakini river flowing. Sita bowed to her with respect, and Anasuya embraced Sita like a daughter.

Anasuya told Sita that her choice to follow her husband into the forest was truly great. She spoke to Sita about standing together in joy and sorrow, about patience, and about living family life with love. Sita listened humbly and said that being with Ram was her greatest happiness.

Pleased, Anasuya gave Sita divine clothes, ornaments and an angarag that would never fade and whose fragrance would never leave. Then, at Anasuya's request, Sita told the whole story of her swayamvar and wedding. Anasuya listened with great affection.

The next morning the sages told Ram about the road ahead. They warned that next came Dandakaranya, a vast forest where demons harassed the sages. Ram, Sita and Lakshman took the blessings of Atri and Anasuya and set off into the deep forest.