Rāma, the eldest son of King Daśaratha, was a man of extraordinary qualities. Wise and gentle, he spoke first with sweetness and warmth, his words always pleasant and powerful, yet he was never proud or astonished by his own great strength. Truthfulness was his constant companion; he never uttered a falsehood. Learned and respectful, he honored his elders and was dearly loved by the people, who cherished him as he cherished them. Compassionate by nature, Rāma was a master of his own anger and honored the brāhmaṇas. He showed mercy to those in distress, was deeply knowledgeable in dharma, and maintained self-control and purity at all times. With a mind that reflected the nobility of his lineage, he held the kṣatriya’s duty in the highest regard and, with great affection, considered the heavenly rewards that came from its fulfillment. Rāma found no joy in inauspicious things nor in discordant speech. His words were always reasoned and measured, spoken as if by a master of eloquence. Healthy and youthful, he was strikingly handsome, articulate, and always aware of the right place and time for his actions. Among men, he was recognized as the very best, a singularly virtuous soul. Endowed with the highest virtues, Rāma was as dear to the people as the vital breath is to the body. He had performed all the necessary disciplines and vows, mastered the Vedas and their branches, and, as the elder brother of Bharata, even surpassed his father in the art of archery. Noble by birth, virtuous, untroubled, ever truthful and upright, he was thoroughly trained by elders and wise twice-born men in the ways of dharma and wealth. He understood the essence of righteousness, desire, and prosperity, possessing a sharp memory and keen intelligence. Rāma was skilled in worldly customs and an expert in proper conduct. Quiet and reserved, he kept his counsel secret, supported by loyal companions. His anger and joy were never wasted, and he knew exactly when to renounce or restrain. Firm in devotion and steady in wisdom, Rāma never accepted falsehood and was never harsh in speech. Tireless and vigilant, he was ever aware of both his own faults and those of others. Learned in the scriptures, grateful, and discerning of people’s true natures, he was skilled in both restraint and generosity, always acting justly and wisely. He excelled in gathering and supporting the virtuous, in assigning roles and maintaining discipline. Rāma knew the means of acquiring wealth and was mindful of expenditures and their proper uses. He had attained excellence in all branches of weaponry, both pure and composite. Upholding both wealth and righteousness, he pursued happiness and was never idle. Rāma understood the various arts and crafts and was skilled in the training and management of elephants and horses. Among those who knew the science of archery, he was foremost, esteemed as a great chariot-warrior. He was adept in attack, combat, and the arrangement of armies. Invincible in battle, even against enraged gods and demons, Rāma was free from envy, had conquered anger, and was neither arrogant nor jealous. No being could despise him, nor was he subject to the sway of time. Thus endowed with the highest virtues, Rāma, the prince and son of the king, stood apart. He was esteemed in all three worlds for his forbearance, equal to the earth itself; in wisdom he rivaled Bṛhaspati, and in strength, he was like Indra, the lord of Śacī. With these virtues, beloved by all and pleasing to his father, Rāma shone forth, radiant like the sun surrounded by its rays. His conduct and prowess were such that he was unconquerable, like a lord of the world, and the earth herself longed for him as her protector. Seeing his son endowed with so many incomparable virtues, King Daśaratha, the vanquisher of foes, was filled with deep thought. In his old age and after a long life, the king pondered: “How might Rāma become king while I am still alive?” His heart was ever turned toward his beloved son with supreme affection: “When shall I see my dear Rāma anointed as king?” For Rāma desired the growth and welfare of the world and had compassion for all beings. He was even dearer to the people than Daśaratha himself, like the rain-bringing cloud is to the earth. In strength, he equaled Yama and Indra; in wisdom, he was like Bṛhaspati; in steadfastness, like the mountain king; and in virtue, he surpassed even his father. The king thought, “If I could see my son ruling this entire earth at this age, it would be as if I attained heaven itself.” With these and many other rare and immeasurable virtues—difficult to find even among other princes and surpassing those of the world—King Daśaratha, seeing his son thus adorned, consulted with his ministers about installing Rāma as crown prince. But then, the wise king observed dreadful omens of fear appearing in the sky, the atmosphere, and on earth, and he also noticed the signs of old age in his own body. He also understood that the great-souled Rāma, whose face was like the full moon and who dispelled his sorrow, was beloved by all the people of the world. For the welfare of himself and his subjects, and at the proper time, that righteous king, filled with devotion and affection, acted swiftly. He summoned the chiefs from various cities and regions of his vast land. Adorned and resplendent, King Daśaratha received them with appropriate honors and gifts, just as the lord of creatures welcomes his subjects. However, in his haste, the king did not summon the ruler of Kekaya or Janaka, knowing they would hear the good news later. When Daśaratha, the subduer of enemy cities, had taken his seat, the renowned kings entered. After the seats had been distributed, the assembled kings, observing proper decorum, sat facing him. Surrounded by honored and disciplined kings, as well as city-dwellers and country folk who had taken their seats, the king shone like the thousand-eyed Lord Indra among the immortals. This is the second sarga. Listen.