Having consigned the charge of Sītā to the hands of the female ascetics, the great and illustrious ascetic Vālmīki, followed by his disciples, speedily proceeded towards his holy hermitage.
मुहुर्मुहुश्च वैदेही परिदाय महायशाः। स्वमाश्रमं शिष्यवृतः पुनरायान्महातपाः॥