स ष्ट्चाअष्टौ च वर्षाणि वत्स्यामि विजने वने | आसेवमानो वन्यानि फलमूलैश्च चर्तयन् || २-२०-३१
http://www.giirvaani.net/giirvaani/vr/ayodhya/sarga20/ayodhyasans20.htm saH= such of myself;aasevamaanaH= has to satisfy vanyaani = with things existing in the forest;vartayam= live phala nuulai = with roots and fruits vatsyaami = reside in vijane vane = forest;of people shaTcha= ashhToucha = for fourteen varshhaaNi = years."I have to satisfy with the things existing in the forest and subsist with roots and fruits in a solitary forest for fourteen years." Regards,S.KarthikVandemataram
It is known that Raman was sent to forest for 14 years. But why he choose South India (south to Vindyamalai). Any particular reason mentioned in ramayanam?
I think If you are not sighted for more than 13 years you are legally a dead person. Sri Rama sacrificed his throne to fulfil the boons of Kaikeyi, to live unseen for 14 years in dense forests of Vindhyas & South India and enable Bharatato claim the throne ! The forest cover in UP and other nearby areas were not dense I believe !