Rama was a fair and just king and his people admired him for his wisdom and strength. One day, one of his spies told him that the people of Ayodhya were unhappy because they believed that he should not have accepted Sita after Ravana had kidnapped her. Rama was very sad but decided that he would have to send Sita away in order to keep his people happy.

Rama called for Laxmana and asked him to take Sita and leave her on the banks of the Ganga near Sage Valmiki's ashram. Laxmana was astonished at the request but could not disobey Rama. Next morning, Laxmana took Sita along with him to the river and told her that Rama had asked him to leave her there. Sita was shocked and fell unconscious. When she regained consciousness, she told Laxmana that she would do as Rama wishes and asked him to return. Laxmana left her with a heavy heart and returned to Ayodhya.