Hermitages of the Dandaka Forest

Beyond Chitrakuta, Ram, Sita, and Lakshman entered the deep Dandaka forest. It was not an empty wilderness. Ascetics lived in many hermitages, tended sacred fires, gathered forest food, studied, and welcomed travellers. Deer moved without fear near the paths, and birds called above the pools. The residents offered the three visitors roots, fruit, flowers, and a safe place to rest.

Not every meeting was peaceful. A powerful forest warrior named Viradha blocked their way and seized Sita by force. Ram and Lakshman first ordered him to release her and then used their arrows. A boon prevented weapons from killing him. In the struggle, the brothers broke his arms and restrained him beneath the earth. Defeated, Viradha recovered an earlier memory. He said that he was the gandharva Tumburu, trapped in this form by a curse. He directed the travellers toward Sage Sharabhanga and was released from the curse.

Near Sharabhanga's hermitage, Ram glimpsed Indra's celestial chariot departing. The elderly sage explained that he had waited to see Ram. He then entered a ritual fire, left his aged body, and rose in a radiant youthful form toward a higher world.

Ascetics gathered there showed Ram the remains of people killed in attacks and asked for protection. Violent bands had entered hermitages, destroyed food, and taken lives. Ram promised to defend them.

The travellers reached Sage Sutikshna's hermitage and received affectionate hospitality. Across the many hermitages of Dandaka, there was now something in place of fear — a promise that while Ram remained in this forest, no innocent ascetic would go undefended.