Through the Dandak Forest to Panchavati

As soon as they entered the Dandak forest, a fearsome demon named Viradh seized Sita and tried to carry her away. Ram and Lakshman fought and destroyed him. Further on they visited the sage Sharbhang, who gave up his body only after seeing Ram. There many sages came to Ram and told him how the demons were killing ascetics.

According to the Ramcharitmanas, the sages showed Ram a heap of bones. These were the remains of sages whom the demons had eaten. Ram's eyes filled with tears, and he raised his arm and vowed to free the earth of these demons. So began one of the great purposes of the exile.

Ram stayed for years in the ashrams of different sages, including that of the sage Sutikshna. According to Valmiki, nearly ten years passed this way. Then they reached the great sage Agastya. Agastya gave Ram a divine bow, a quiver that never empties and a sword, and advised him to live at Panchavati on the banks of the Godavari river.

On the way to Panchavati they met a huge vulture: Jatayu. Jatayu said he was an old friend of King Dashrath. He said, ‘When you two brothers go out, I will guard Sita.’ Ram honoured him as he would his father's friend.

Panchavati was a beautiful place: five banyan trees, the Godavari flowing nearby, forests full of flowers and herds of deer. Lakshman lovingly built a fine parnashala. Ram embraced him. In the Manas, it is here that Lakshman asks Ram about knowledge, detachment and devotion, and Ram explains them in simple words.