Among all the sons of King Dasharatha, Rama shone brightest. His radiant splendor made him the delight of his father, and among all beings, he stood out as the most virtuous—like the self-born creator, Brahma, among the gods. This was no ordinary birth, for at the request of the gods, who longed for the destruction of the mighty Ravana, the eternal Vishnu himself took birth in the world of men. Kausalya, Rama’s mother, glowed with pride and joy beside her son of immeasurable brilliance, just as Aditi, foremost among the gods, shone with Indra, the wielder of the thunderbolt. Rama was endowed with beauty, strength, and modesty, unrivaled on earth, and his virtues matched those of King Dasharatha himself. His mind was always calm. He spoke gently first, and even when harsh words were addressed to him, he never responded in kind. Rama was content with a single act of kindness, and, considering himself, he did not remember even a hundred wrongs done to him. He continually sought the company of virtuous elders, those advanced in character, wisdom, and age—even among those skilled in the arts of warfare. Wise and sweet-spoken, Rama was pleasant in speech and powerful, yet never amazed by his own great strength. He never uttered untruths, was learned, honored his elders, and was beloved by the people—who loved him in return. Compassionate and master of his anger, he honored the Brahmanas, showed mercy to the distressed, was knowledgeable in dharma, and always self-controlled and pure. With a mind befitting his noble lineage, Rama valued the duties of a Kshatriya highly and cherished the heavenly rewards that came from fulfilling them. He did not delight in anything inauspicious, nor did he enjoy discordant speech; his words were always reasoned, spoken in succession like a master of speech. Healthy, youthful, eloquent, and handsome, he knew the proper place and time for everything, and he was recognized as the best among men—a singularly virtuous soul. Endowed with the highest virtues, Rama was dear to the people, like the vital breath moving outside the body. He had bathed in all disciplines and vows, and knew the Vedas and their branches properly. As the elder brother of Bharata, he even surpassed his father in archery. Of noble birth and virtuous, he was never distressed, truthful, upright, and well-trained by elders and by wise twice-born men who understood dharma and wealth. Rama knew the essence of dharma, desire, and wealth. With keen memory and intelligence, he was skilled in worldly customs and expert in proper conduct. Quiet and reserved in appearance, he kept counsel secret, supported by companions, and neither his anger nor his joy was ever wasted. He knew the proper time for renunciation and restraint. Firm in devotion and steady in wisdom, Rama never accepted falsehood, nor was he harsh in speech. Tireless and vigilant, he was aware of his own and others’ faults. Learned in the scriptures, grateful, and discerning of the nature of men, he was skilled in both restraint and favor, always 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. Rama had attained excellence among all branches of weaponry, both pure and composite. Upholding both wealth and righteousness, he pursued happiness and was never indolent. He 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, he was esteemed as a great chariot-warrior in the world, 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. None could despise Rama, nor was he subject to the sway of time. Thus, endowed with the highest virtues, the prince, son of the king, was esteemed in all three worlds for his forbearance, equal to the earth itself. In wisdom, he was like Brihaspati, and in strength, like Indra, the lord of Shachi. With virtues beloved by all people and pleasing to his father, Rama shone forth, radiant like the sun with its rays. His conduct and prowess were unconquerable, like a lord of the world, and the earth herself desired him as her protector. Seeing his son endowed with these many incomparable virtues, King Dasharatha, the scorcher of foes, was filled with deep thought. In his old age, after a long life, the king wondered how Rama might become king while he himself was still alive. Supreme affection for Rama constantly turned in his heart, and he longed for the day he would see his beloved son anointed as king. For Rama desired the growth of the world and had compassion for all beings. He was dearer to the people than Dasharatha himself, like the rain-bringing cloud. In strength, Rama was equal to Yama and Indra; in wisdom, to Brihaspati; in steadfastness, to the mountain king; and in virtue, he surpassed even his father. Dasharatha thought, “If I could see my son ruling this entire earth at this age, it would be as if I attained heaven.” With these and many other rare and immeasurable virtues—difficult to find even in other princes and surpassing those of the world—Dasharatha, after consulting with his ministers, considered installing Rama as crown prince. Then the wise king perceived dreadful omens of fear arising in the sky, in the atmosphere, and on earth, and he also noticed old age in his own body. He understood that the great-souled Rama, whose face was like the full moon and who dispelled his sorrow, was beloved by the people of the world. For the welfare of himself and his subjects, and at the proper time, that righteous king, with devotion and affection, acted swiftly, setting in motion the events that would lead to Rama’s installation as crown prince.