Bharata and Shatrughna, honored and respected, remained in the house of their maternal uncle, the lord of horses, cherished by him with the affection reserved for a son. While enjoying the comforts and pleasures of their stay, the heroic brothers still remembered their father, the aged King Dasharatha. Far away, Dasharatha, mighty in splendor, also thought lovingly of his sons Bharata and Shatrughna, who were equal in greatness to Indra and Varuna. All four of his sons—Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata, and Shatrughna—were the best among men and dearly beloved to him, as if they were four arms sprung from his own body. Among them, Rama, radiant in brilliance, was his father’s delight. He shone among beings like the self-born creator, standing out as the most virtuous. For, at the request of the gods who sought the destruction of Ravana, the eternal Vishnu himself was born in the world of men. Kausalya, Rama’s mother, shone with her son of immeasurable brilliance, just as Aditi, the foremost among the gods, radiates with the wielder of the thunderbolt. Rama was endowed with beauty, strength, and modesty, unrivaled on earth—a son whose virtues matched those of Dasharatha. He was always calm of mind, speaking gently at first, and even when harsh words were spoken to him, he never responded in kind. Content with a single act of kindness, he did not remember even a hundred wrongs done to him. He continually conversed with virtuous elders, those advanced in character, wisdom, and age, even among those skilled in weapons. Wise and sweet-spoken, Rama always spoke first with pleasant words. Though powerful, he was never amazed by his own strength. He never spoke untruth, was learned, honored elders, and was beloved by the people, who loved him in return. Compassionate and a master of anger, he honored brahmanas, was merciful to the distressed, knowledgeable in dharma, always self-controlled and pure. With a mind befitting his noble lineage, he highly valued the kshatriya duty and, with great affection, considered its heavenly reward. He did not delight in what was inauspicious, nor enjoy discordant speech, but spoke successively reasoned words, like a master of speech. Healthy, youthful, eloquent, and handsome, Rama knew the proper place and time, and was recognized as the best among men—a singularly virtuous soul. Endowed with the highest virtues, the prince was dear to the people, like the vital breath moving outside the body. Having bathed in all disciplines and vows, knowing the Vedas and their branches properly, the elder brother of Bharata even surpassed his father in archery. Of noble birth, virtuous, undistressed, truthful and upright, Rama was well-trained by elders and by twice-born men who understood dharma and wealth. He knew the essence of dharma, desire, and wealth, possessed memory and intelligence, and was skilled in worldly customs and expert in proper conduct. Quiet and reserved in appearance, secret in counsel, supported by companions, his anger and joy were never wasted, and he knew the proper time for renunciation and restraint. Firm in devotion, steady in wisdom, he never accepted falsehood nor spoke harshly, was tireless and vigilant, and ever aware of his own and others’ faults. Learned in the scriptures, grateful, and discerning of the nature of men, Rama was skilled in both restraint and favor, acting justly and wisely. He excelled in gathering and supporting the virtuous, in assigning positions and imposing discipline; he knew the means of acquiring wealth and was aware of expenditures and their proper uses. He had attained excellence among all branches of weaponry, both pure and composite; upholding both wealth and righteousness, he pursued happiness and was never indolent. Rama understood the divisions of practical arts and crafts, and was skilled in the training and management of elephants and horses. Foremost among those who knew the science of archery, esteemed as a great chariot-warrior in the world, he was adept in attack, combat, and the arrangement of armies. Invincible in battle—even to the enraged gods and demons—he was free from envy, had conquered anger, and was neither arrogant nor jealous. Rama was not to be despised by any being, nor was he subject to the sway of time; thus endowed with the highest virtues, he was the prince, son of the king. He was esteemed in all three worlds for his forbearance, equal to the earth itself; in wisdom, like Brihaspati, and in strength, like the lord of Shachi. Thus, with virtues beloved by all people and pleasing to his father, Rama shone forth, radiant like the sun with its rays. Such was his conduct and prowess, unconquerable, like a lord of the world; the earth herself desired him as her protector. Seeing his son endowed with these many incomparable virtues, King Dasharatha, scorcher of foes, was filled with deep thought. In his old age and long life, the king wondered: How might Rama become king while I am still alive? This supreme affection for him turns constantly in my heart: When shall I see my beloved son anointed as king? For Rama desires the growth of the world and has compassion for all beings; he is dearer to the people than Dasharatha himself, like the rain-bringing cloud. In strength he is equal to Yama and Indra, in wisdom to Brihaspati; in steadfastness to the mountain king, and in virtue he surpasses even his father. If Dasharatha could see his son ruling this entire earth at this age, it would be as if he had attained heaven. Thus, with these and many other rare and immeasurable virtues, difficult to find even in other princes and surpassing those of the world, Rama stood as the shining jewel of the royal house.