The companions have reached the river Ganges and Guha; the Nisada chief; has come to greet them along with some of his people from their nearby town. Rama asks him to provide a boat so that they can cross the river. He tells Sumantra to take the chariot back to Ayodhya; with a last cheerful message to his father and mother that they will surely see the three of them again. Rama and Laksmana have divested themselves of their crowns and now mat their hair with the juice of a banyan tree in the manner of ascetics. Guha's men row them across the mighty Ganges; while in the middle of the stream Sita prays to the river goddess that eventually they may safely return to Ayodhya. On the far shore; having hunted for deer; Laksmana cooks the meat on skewers; while Rama and Sita pluck fruit from a great banyan tree.Udaipur; c. 1653.From: Ramayana.Add. 15296 (1); f. 66London; British Library.