When King Daśaratha heard of Rāma’s return, his heart soared with delight. In that moment, it felt as though both he and his beloved son had been granted new life. Eager with joy, the king ordered his army to advance and made his way swiftly to the city, which was adorned with banners and flags and echoed with the jubilant sounds of drums and musical instruments. The royal road had been carefully sprinkled and decorated, strewn with heaps of fragrant flowers. Awaiting Daśaratha at the city’s entrance, the townspeople greeted him, bearing auspicious offerings in their hands. As the king entered, he found the city teeming with crowds, beautifully adorned and alive with excitement. Citizens, Brahmins, and city dwellers welcomed him from afar, their faces radiant with happiness. Accompanied by his sons and noble companions, the illustrious Daśaratha entered his beloved palace, splendid and majestic like Mount Himavat. Within the palace, he rejoiced among his people, honored and fulfilled in every desire. Kausalyā, Sumitrā, and Kaikeyī, the fair-waisted queens, shared in the joy, their hearts filled with happiness. The royal women, engaged in welcoming the new brides, received Sītā, greatly fortunate, and the illustrious Urmilā. With auspicious words and offerings, clad in fine garments, they also welcomed both daughters of Kuśadhvaja into the family. All the women quickly worshipped the shrines of the gods, and at that time, all the royal sons paid their respects to those worthy of honor. In the privacy of their chambers, the women delighted with their husbands, their marriages accomplished. The princes, skilled in arms and possessing wealth and friends, were filled with joy. The best among them, attentive to their father, served him with devotion. After some time, King Daśaratha spoke to 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, Bharata, son of Kaikeyī, prepared to depart. Accompanied by Shatrughna, he took leave of his father and Rāma, who performed his duties without trouble. Together, Bharata and Shatrughna went to their mothers, and Yudhājit, upon finding them, was greatly pleased. The hero entered his own city, and his father rejoiced. With Bharata departed, Rāma and the mighty Lakṣmaṇa remained. At that time, they honored their father, who was like a god to them. Placing his commands above all, they carried out every duty of the citizens. Rāma performed all that was pleasing and beneficial, fulfilling his obligations toward his mothers with utmost restraint. He attended to his teachers at the proper times, bringing satisfaction to Daśaratha, the Brahmins, and the townsfolk. Because of Rāma’s noble character and conduct, all the people of the realm were delighted. Rāma, steadfast in truth and valor, became renowned among them, the most virtuous among beings, like the self-born creator. Together with Sītā, he enjoyed many seasons, his mind ever thoughtful and fixed upon her. Sītā, chosen by his father, was dear to Rāma and held a special place in his heart. Her virtues and beauty caused their affection to grow ever stronger, and Rāma occupied twice the place in her heart. Their love was so profound that even what is hidden was revealed, as heart spoke to heart. Especially for Rāma, Sītā, the Maithili princess, daughter of Janaka, equal to the gods in form and radiant like fortune herself, was his cherished companion. United with the noble princess, Rāma, son of the royal sage, 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 as if he were his own son. While residing there, Bharata and Shatrughna were freely gratified, yet the heroic brothers remembered their aged father, King Daśaratha. The king, mighty in splendor, also remembered his two sons, Bharata and Shatrughna, who were away, equal to Indra and Varuna. All four of his 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, Rāma 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, a son whose 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. He continually conversed with virtuous elders, those advanced in character, wisdom, and age, even among those skilled in weapons. Wise, sweet-spoken, pleasant in speech, powerful yet not amazed by his own great strength, Rāma never spoke untruth. He was learned, honored elders, beloved by the people, and the people loved him in return. Compassionate, master of anger, honoring brāhmaṇas, merciful to the distressed, knowledgeable in dharma, always self-controlled and pure—such was Rāma, the embodiment of virtue and the joy of his father’s heart.