Finding Śrī Rāma firm in his obedience to the command of his parents, Kausalyā (Śrī Rāma’s mother) urges him to take her alongwith him. On being told, however, that it was incumbent on a matron whose husband was alive to remain with the latter and serve him, she consents to Śrī Rāma’s departure to the forest.

Enraged to hear the exhortation of Śrī Rāma, Laksmana urges in reply that the word of their father was worth ignoring inasmuch as it was divorced from righteousness and, further emphasizing the predominance of personal effort over destiny, persuades Śrī Rāma to take up arms against those who interfere with his installation and occupy the throne of Ayodhyā by force. Śrī Rāma, however, pacifies Laksmana and impresses on him the imperative necessity of their carrying out the command of their father.

Śrī Rāma pacifies Laksmana, denying the instrumentality and laying the entire who was angry with Kaikeyī, by of Kaikeyī in his banishment blame on his own fate.

Consoling Kausalyā in her grief over the impending exile of Śrī Rāma, Prince Laksmana opposes the idea of Śrī Rāma’s leaving for the forest and, censuring Daśaratha, makes up his mind to accompany his eldest brother. Kausalyā too deters Śrī Rāma from going into exile, branding Kaikeyī’s command as unjust. Śrī Rāma, however, justifies the command on the ground of its being countenanced by the Emperor and requests his mother to grant him leave and perform auspicious rites connected with his departure.

Even as Śrī Rāma issued forth from the palace of Queen Kaikeyī, the inmates of the gynaeceum burst into a piteous wail, extolling the princeís virtues. Mother Kausalyā embraces and pronounces her benedictions on Śrī Rāma as the latter approaches her and falls at her feet. On being apprised of the circumstances that had brought him there, she falls to the ground overwhelmed with grief, and weeps bitterly expressing her deep sorrow.

Having agreed to leave for the forest, Śrī Rāma proceeds to take leave of his mother Kausalyā.

Questioned by Śrī Rāma as to what preyed on his father's mind, Kaikeyī tells him all that had happened in the meantime and sternly urges him to depart for the woods.

Śrī Rāma drives in state to his father’s gynaeceum, beholding en route the charms of Ayodhyā, hearing the blessings and encomia of his friends and relations and ravishing the eyes of all on-lookers, and on reaching his destination sends back his retinue and seeks the presence of his royal father alone.

Seeking the presence of Śrī Rāma, Sumantra communicates to him the Emperor’s command asking Sumantra to bring Rāma with him, and departs. Mounting his gold chariot and accompanied by Laksmana, who holds an umbrella over the formerís head and waves a pair of chowries in order to fan him, and followed by a number of elephants and horses, Śrī Rāma drives in state to see Daśaratha, listening en route to his own glory sung by jubilant men and women.

While going out of the gynaeceum to bring Śrī Rāma, Sumantra sees Vasistha and others as well as a number of kings waiting at the gate and hastens back to announce their presence to the king. He is, however, sent back to fetch Śrī Rāma and forthwith enters the latter's apartments.