Rama Dwells in the Dandaka Forest

By the power of their gift to worthy recipients (patradana), Rama, Lakshmana and Sita came into wealth of gems and gold, and a wondrous chariot like a celestial vimana was made for them, golden and jewel-studded, with lovely pillars, a railed terrace, an inner chamber, strings of pearls, large arched windows, the fragrance of sandal and camphor, and beds, seats and garments, drawn by four elephants. Riding in it with Jatayu, fearless and harming none, they roamed at will, staying a day in one place, fifteen days in another and a month elsewhere, eager like a new disciple to linger everywhere, until they entered the heart of the Dandaka forest.

The forest, frightening to cowards, had strange peaks, sparkling waterfalls and rivers and countless trees, banyan, pipal, tamarind, plantain, walnut, deodar, kadamba, ashoka, jamun, mango, champa, nagakesara, sandal, cardamom, clove and many more, besides self-grown grains and sugarcane, so that it seemed a Nandana garden whose swaying shoots, humming bees and calling birds welcomed Rama. Rama showed Sita its sights through Jain similes: a priyangu creeper clinging to a bakula tree is like compassion adorning the Jain dharma, a snake fleeing back into its hole at the sight of a peacock is like lust fleeing discernment, a lion roused from its cave by their chariot is like knowledge that, at the guru's call, leaves heedlessness behind to practise right conduct, the lofty Dandaka mountain touching the sky gives the forest its name, and from it flows the Krauncharava river like the Jina's teaching from his lips.

Rama compared the river's sweet water to Sita's speech, its depth to her mind and its course to the sea to virtuous princesses following their husbands after marriage, and Sita joyfully replied that the river was clear but not as pure as his mind, the forest not as dense and fragrant as he, nor the mountains as lofty and steady, and that a heart devoted to him would never turn elsewhere, which delighted both brothers. Descending from the elephant chariot at a lovely spot on the bank, Lakshmana brought sweet fruits and the brothers sported in the water as Indra, the Naga lord and Chakravartis do, Sita singing while Rama kept time and Lakshmana circled around him as the forest animals watched intently; then they ate and rested in bowers of creepers, Sita's hand resting on Jatayu's head.

Rama told Lakshmana that this place, with its many trees, sweet fruits, clear river, bowers, the gem-rich Dandaka mountain and countless spots for recreation, untrodden by others, was a source of joy, so they would found a beautiful city near the mountain; then Lakshmana should go to fetch their two grieving mothers, or else Rama himself would go while Lakshmana stayed with Sita and Jatayu. Lakshmana bowed with folded hands and said that whatever Rama commanded would be done.

But Rama observed that summer had passed and the dreadful rainy season had come, with clouds roaring like the ocean, the ten directions dark as the Anjana mountains and lightning-lit downpours like the rain of gems the gods shower at a Tirthankara's birth; he likened the dark clouds to Lakshmana's own hue and their rain to his showers of gifts, and clouds that pour on mountains while forsaking the fields to rich men who squander wealth on courtesans instead of worthy recipients and the needy. With rivers in flood, mud everywhere, fierce winds and countless trasa (moving) creatures being born, great men do not travel in this season, so with Lakshmana's assent the brothers spent the rains happily in that lovely place, where even in the wilderness merit brought them blessings.