Hari Om.
Let us begin the eighth sarga of the araNya kAnDam by offering our prostrations at the lotus feet of SrIrAma and our sathguru.
Following the assurances given to orders of sages about protecting them from the clutches of the deadly demons, the trio along with some of the sages move forward to the hermitage of sutIkshNa as suggested by sage Sarabhanga before he entered the fire. They go along the river and cross a few, beholding trees in full bloom, fruit laden and finally reach the hermitage situated in a lonely place. Just like sage Sarabhanga, sage sutIkshNa has also been anxiously awaiting the arrival of rAma. After the meet and greet and the traditional welcome, rAma requests to show him a place fit to dwell in the forest. The present hermitage was fine but for the frequent visits of the wild beasts, who even if they recede respectfully cause anxious moments to the inmates after amusing them! So rAma figured out that that place was not fit to stay since when he punishes the wild beasts which come thus it will break the dharma followed in that hermitage. As the discussion about the dwelling place proceeded, it was time for the evening sandhyA vandanam. rAma performed that and after the trio partook dinner at the hermitage, they retired for the night. Onwards…
Having retired there the previous night after receiving due hospitality from the sage sutIkshNa, rAma, sItA and lakshmaNa woke up the next morning in the hermitage. Completing their morning ablutions in cool and waters fragrant with the lily flowers in the early morning, performed oblations in the fire and appropriately invoked the forest gods, the refuge of the ascetics. Then they worshipped the Sun god and having beheld him purified their minds. Then they approached the head of the hermitage, sage sutIkshNa and spoke sweetly –
“We have been showered great hospitality by your hospitable self and so spent a wonderful night at your hermitage. We would now request to take leave of you as the accompanying sages are hastening us. We are in a hurry to see the range of hermitages of the meritorious Rshis of the danDaka forest.
त्वरामहे वयं द्रष्टुं कृत्स्नमाश्रममण्डलम्।
ऋषीणां पुण्यशीलानां दण्डकारण्यवासिनाम्।।3.8.6।।
Kindly permit us to accompany these great ascetics, ever engaged in dhArmic deeds with great self restraint and are lustrous like the flameless fire. We would like to move along before the Sun becomes unbearably hot, so kindly permit us”.
Saying so, the trio fell at the feet of the sage sutIkshNa and sought leave of him. The great sage raised them all, tightly embraced rAma and affectionately said –
“Safe travels, O rAma to you and sItA who follows you like the shadow. Yes, of course, you must see these wonderful hermitages of the Rshis of the danDaka forest who are realized souls.
अरिष्टं गच्छ पन्थानं राम सौमित्रिणा सह।
सीतया चानया सार्धं छाययेवानुवृत्तया।।3.8.11।।
Go and behold the beautiful forests of the danDaka forests with trees in full bloom, laden with fruits of all kinds, with its delightful flora and fauna, sanctuaries of birds, clear waters filled with lilies and water ducks, forests dotted with peacocks everywhere, go and enjoy the delightful and sylvan regions of the danDaka forest. Sure, O lakshmaNa, you too go along with rAma. You may come back to my hermitage after having seen all around”.
rAma agreed and along with lakshmaNa circumambulated the sage respectfully and got ready to take leave. As they set out, sItA bestowed on the brothers their auspicious bows, quivers and the swords.
ततश्शुभतरे तूणी धनुषी चायतेक्षणा।
ददौ सीता तयोर्भ्रात्रोः खङ्गौ च विमलौ ततः।।3.8.18।।
The two brothers armed themselves, having tied the quiver and the swords in their due places and wielding the majestic bows set forth. The handsome and glorious duo resplendent with their glow wielding their bows moved on along with sItA.
Here we conclude the the eighth sarga of the araNya kAnDam of SrImath vAlmiKi rAmAyaNam and humbly offer it at the lotus feet of SrIrAma. Hari: Om!
jAi SrIrAma.
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Next: 3.9. sItA raises red flag
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rAmabhaktisAmrAjyam 
