After the departure of Rāma, the tranquil-minded and illustrious son of Daśaratha, famed throughout the land, respectfully placed his mighty bow into the hands of the immeasurable Varuṇa. Then, bowing to the revered sages led by Vasiṣṭha, Rāma approached his father, who was troubled, and spoke gently to him, the delight of the Raghu lineage. He said, “Jāmadagnya Rāma has gone; let the fourfold army now proceed toward Ayodhyā, protected by you as its lord.” Hearing these words, King Daśaratha, overwhelmed with affection, embraced his son Rāghava with both arms and kissed his head. The king was filled with joy and delight upon learning that Rāma had departed peacefully, feeling as though he and his beloved son had been born anew. With renewed happiness, Daśaratha ordered the army to advance and swiftly returned to the city, splendid with banners and flags, alive with the sound of drums and musical instruments. The royal road was beautifully sprinkled and strewn with heaps of flowers, and the townspeople, bearing auspicious items, greeted the king at the city’s entrance. Daśaratha entered Ayodhyā, a city adorned and bustling with crowds, welcomed from afar by its citizens, Brahmins, and city dwellers. Surrounded by his sons and glorious companions, the illustrious king entered his cherished palace, magnificent as Mount Himavat. Within the palace, the king rejoiced among his own people, honored with every desire fulfilled. Kausalyā, Sumitrā, and the fair-waisted Kaikeyī also rejoiced, as did the other royal women. Engaged in welcoming the brides, they received Sītā, greatly fortunate, and the illustrious Urmilā. The royal women took both daughters of Kuśadhvaja, adorned with auspicious words and offerings, dressed in fine garments. All of them quickly worshipped the shrines of the gods, and at that time, all the royal sons paid their respects to those worthy of honor. The women, joyful, delighted in private with their husbands, having accomplished marriage, skilled in arms, possessing wealth and friends. The best of men, attentive to their father, served him faithfully. Then, after some time, King Daśaratha addressed his son Bharata, the delight of the Raghu line: “This is the son of the king of Kekaya, residing here, dear son. Your heroic maternal uncle Yudhājit has come to take you.” Hearing this from Daśaratha, Bharata, son of Kaikeyī, prepared to depart, accompanied by Shatrughna. Taking leave of his father and Rāma, the doer of untroubled deeds, Bharata and Shatrughna went to their mothers. Yudhājit, upon finding Bharata and Shatrughna, was greatly delighted. The hero entered his own city, pleasing his father. With Bharata departed, Rāma and the mighty Lakṣmaṇa remained. At that time, they honored their father, who was like a god, placing his commands foremost and carrying out all the duties of the citizens. Rāma performed all that was pleasing and beneficial, fulfilling his duties toward his mothers with utmost restraint. He attended to the duties owed to his teachers at the proper times, bringing joy to Daśaratha, as well as to the Brahmins and townsfolk. Because of Rāma’s noble character and conduct, all the inhabitants of the realm were delighted. Steadfast in truth and valor, Rāma became renowned among them. He was the most virtuous among beings, like the self-born creator, and together with Sītā, he enjoyed many seasons. Rāma was thoughtful, his mind fixed upon her, and she was placed in his heart; Sītā, dear to Rāma, was his wife, chosen by his father. Her virtues and beauty caused their affection to grow ever stronger, and her husband occupied twice the place in her heart. Even what is hidden was revealed, as heart spoke to heart—especially for him, the Maithili Sītā, daughter of Janaka, equal to the gods in form, radiant like fortune herself. United with the noble princess, Rāma shone greatly, filled with joy, like Viṣṇu, lord of immortals, radiant with fortune. Now listen to the first chapter. Bharata stayed in his maternal uncle’s city, honored and respected, cherished by the lord of horses with the affection of a son. While residing there, the two brothers, Bharata and Shatrughna, were freely gratified, yet their minds often turned to their aged father, King Daśaratha. The mighty king too remembered his two sons, Bharata and Shatrughna, who were away, equal to Indra and Varuṇa. All four sons, the best among men, were dear to him, as if they were four arms sprung from his own body. Among them, Rāma, radiant in splendor, was his father’s delight; like the self-born creator among beings, he became the most virtuous. For, at the request of the gods who desired the destruction of Rāvaṇa, the eternal Viṣṇu was born in the world of men. Kausalyā shone with that son of immeasurable brilliance, just as Aditi, the best among the gods, shone with the wielder of the thunderbolt. Rāma was endowed with beauty, strength, and modesty; unrivaled on earth, his virtues matched those of Daśaratha. He was always calm in mind, spoke gently first, and even when harsh words were spoken to him, he did not respond in kind. He was satisfied with a single act of kindness, and, considering himself, did not remember even a hundred wrongs.