66697602-The-Ramayana-R-K-Narayan

4
ENCOUNTERS IN EXILE
After Bharatha’s departure, Rama left Chitrakuta. Dwelling in
the proximity of Ayodyha, he feared, might encourage
people to come across the river and persuade him to return
home. He felt that such encounters would dilute the value and
purpose of his renunciation. He decided to move farther into
the forests. Though Lakshmana had built at Chitrakuta a hut
with mud, bamboo, palm leaves, wood, and other materials
available in the forest, and decorated and brightened the
floor and walls with coloured earth (so well designed and
constructed that Rama was constrained to ask in admiration,
“When did you learn to be such a fine house-builder?”)
Rama left this beautiful cottage and moved on. In the course
of their journey, they came upon several sages residing in
their ashrams, all of whom received Rama’s party as
honoured guests. Among these were Athri and his wife
Anusuya, who gave all her jewellery and clothes to Sita, and
compelled her to wear them then and there. Rama went on
to Dandaka forest, and then on to Panchvati (on the advice
of Sage Agasthya). On the way he noticed, perched on a
rock, Jatayu, the Great Eagle. Jatayu explained to Rama that
although he was now in the form of a bird his origin was
divine. He proved to be possessed of extraordinary ripeness