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Chapter Thirty-Four
529. Seeing them gone, the princess was distraught, her mind filled with anxiety. She cried out in despair, overcome by the deepest sorrow. 55. "Oh, great men," she thought, "have you stolen my heart and left me asleep? How cruel you are to leave me!" 56. With great effort, she suppressed her grief and mounted her noble elephant. She entered the city of Kubera, dwelling there with a heart filled with sorrow, as before. 57. Then, guided by the auspicious garland, their hearts purified by her grace, Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana reached the banks of the Narmada River. 58. Crossing the river, enjoying their playful journey, they traversed many beautiful lands and reached the great forest of Vindhya. 59. They traveled along a path carved by the passage of a massive army, and were stopped by herdsmen and plowmen who warned them not to proceed further. 60. This forest, filled with a heavy fragrance, was adorned with trees like teak, embraced by vines, making it as beautiful as the garden of Nandana. In other places, the forest was scarred by fire, with scorched trees near the edges, making it appear as ugly as a lineage tainted by a wicked son. 61-62. As they continued, Sita said, "Look, in the midst of the Karanja forest, a crow sits on the top of a thorny tree on the left, cawing repeatedly. He is saying, 'There will be a battle soon.' And over there, another crow sits on a milk-tree, announcing, 'We will be victorious.'" 63-64. "Therefore, let us wait for a moment, for I do not find the prospect of victory after a battle very pleasing." 65. After a brief delay, they continued their journey, but the same omen appeared again nearby. 66. Despite Sita's warnings, Rama and Lakshmana continued on their way. They encountered an army of Mlechchas, but upon seeing the fearless Rama and Lakshmana, armed with their excellent bows, the army fled in terror within a moment. 67.