Rama gladly accepted the news of his banishment and went to meet his mother Kausalya. Seeing her son she cried out loud, "How can you bear the hardship of living in a forest for fourteen long years?" Rama smiled and assured her that fourteen years would pass very quickly.

As Rama began preparing for his departure, Sita came to him. She begged Rama to take her with him but he refused. Sita replied, "My Lord, not being with you for fourteen years will be greater hardship. My duty is to be by your side always."

Like Sita, Laxmana too decided to follow the footsteps of his brother. "How can I leave my dear brother to face the dangers all by himself?" he argued.

Seeing Sita and Laxmana's determination, Rama had no choice but to agree to their wish.