With her face bathed in tears, Sita gently kept imploring Rama, "It has been prophesied that I would have to live in the forest, for a period of time in my life. That time is now and my parents have impsressed it upon me, that I should always follow you. With you by my side even the gods will not dare to harm me. The weak may dread the jungles but what frightens you who are so fearless? As decreed, a woman, who in this life has been given in holy matrimony to a man by her parents, belongs to him even after her death. Does it not behove you to leave without me, your devoted wife in prosperity and adversity. If despite my grief my wishes are disregarded, I shall cast myself into the fire".

All of Sita's anguished pleas left Rama unmoved. His immense love for her made him reluctant to lay bare, the innocence of his cherished wife to the merciless jungle. Rama's rejection only doubled Sita's sorrow and her tears flowed unchecked.