Wearing garments of bark and grass, Rama, Laxmana and Sita left Ayodhya. The people of Ayodhya, ran behind the chariot. King Dasaratha also followed, but soon lost consciousness. When Rama reached the banks of the river Tamasa, they halted for the night. The people soon fell asleep. Rama pleaded with Sumantra, the charioteer, to take them away before the people woke up. They continued their journey till they reached the river Ganga. Here they came across the tribal leader Guha, who offered them his hospitality. Rama politely replied that they could not accept these comforts as they were to lead austere lives. Rama asked Sumantra to return to Ayodhya. Sumantra begged to follow his master, but Rama insisted that he should go back and look after the grief - stricken Dasaratha .

Guha ferried Rama, Laxmana and Sita across the Ganga. Sumantra returned to Ayodhya and found that the heart broken king had died.