Dasaratha bound by his duty turned back, but the people of Ayodhya followed Rama deep into the woods.Rama cajoled his tearful subjects to go back saying "Show the same love and respect that you have shown me to Bharata. That virtuous prince will do everything in his power to make you happy for though young in age he is as old as the hills in wisdom and knowledge.Gentle but valiant, he will dispel all your fears. Endowed with every sublime quality he has all the makings of a monarch.It is your duty and mine, as that of all those like you to obey the royal commands.If you wish to please him see that he does not miss me or grieve for me." The more Rama tried to convince them to return home, the more stubborn they grew, wanting none but Rama as their master.

Soon the river Tamasa hove into sight meandering across his path. Even the river seemed reluctant to let Rama pass. Sumantra unharnessed the horses so that they could quench their thirst and graze on the green river bank.

SARGA- 46

Halting on the shores of Tamasa, Rama said, "Lakshmana, the first day of our exile is ending, let us spend this night here. In Ayodhaya our father weeps and Ayodhya weeps with him. May their incessant tears not render our parents blind! I am glad of your insistence in accompanying us for I need help to guard Sita." Even the horses, seemed to rue the day they were fated to have driven Rama to the forest and not to his coronation. Lakshmana made a bed of dry leaves and grasses on which Rama and Sita rested for the night. The sun rose on Lakshmana and Sumantra, who had discoursed on Rama's virtues the entire night with no thought of sleep. Rama awoke to see his faithful subjects who followed him, asleep on the forest floor. Witnessing their loyalty a great sadness came over him. "Lakshmana!" he said, "look at these citizens of Ayodhya, ready to abandon their homes, families and their lives to be with me.Let us leave now, a king should not cause, but alleviate the suffering of his people. Let us free them of their hardship, by leaving before they come awake." Lakshamana agreed and Sumantra readied the chariot as they quietly sped away, taking care to cover their tracks so as to encourage the citizens to return to Ayodhya.