सर्गः ४१

In which Rāma spends first night on Tamasā, praises gentle Bharata, and slips away at dawn while citizens lose his track

Rāma halts on Tamasā bank and greets LakṣmaṆa — Calls first forest night no cause for grief — Pities empty wailing woods and mourning Ayōdhyā — Trusts righteous Bharata to console parents — Ceases grief recalling Bharata gentleness — Lives on water only though wild food abounds — LakṣmaṆa tells Rāma virtues to Sūta all night — Orders swift dawn flight while followers sleep — Fools seekers with northward feint then crosses Tamasā — Citizens lose track and return grieving to Ayōdhyā