Sita's ever-serene face, luminous like the moon, never ceased to enchant Rama. Every time he beheld her, his lotus like eyes opened wide in wonder at her breath taking beauty. Reveling in her company aware of her intense love of nature Rama led Sita on to the banks of the river Mandakini. Its crystal clear waters were filled with lotus, vibrant with color and the call of heron and swan. Rama said, "The river seems to beckon me to bathe in it. The charm of this place rivals Kubera's Saugandhika Lake. Sita come bathe with me among the lotuses, whose beauty will pale into insignificance in your divine aura. Vanquished, they will submerge themselves into the water of Mandakini. From now on, think of the beasts of the forest as the citizens of Ayodhya, this river as Sarayu and Chitrakuta as the city of Ayodhya. Going through the ritual baths with you three times a day, living on honey and fruits, I desire neither kingdom nor kinsmen. No man seeing these elephants, lions and monkeys will tire of this forest, nor fail to wonder at its gorgeous display of nature's best blooms, birds and all its other bounties.