In the city of Ayodhyā, a wave of devotion swept through the people. Women, elders, and young maidens, all with focused minds, worshipped the gods morning and evening for Rāma’s sake, praying earnestly that their wishes might be fulfilled by divine grace. Their hearts longed to see Rāma, dark as a blue lotus and destroyer of all enemies, established as the crown prince—King Dasharatha’s excellent son. They implored the king, the bestower of boons, to quickly anoint his son, who was like the lord of gods, devoted to the welfare of all people and endowed with noble virtues, for the happiness of all. Now begins the third sarga of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa. The king, having received the people’s lotus-like joined palms, spoke words that were both pleasing and beneficial. He declared, “I am supremely delighted, and my power is unmatched, since you wish my eldest beloved son to be installed as crown prince.” He continued, “This auspicious month of Caitra has arrived, holy and with blossoming groves. Let everything be prepared for Rāma’s installation as crown prince.” When the king finished speaking, a great clamor arose among the people; and when the noise gradually subsided, the king turned to Vasiṣṭha, the foremost sage. Dasharatha said, “Whatever is required for Rāma’s consecration, with all its arrangements—today, O venerable one, you should command everything.” Hearing the king’s words, Vasiṣṭha, the best of sages, ordered those standing before the king, their hands joined in reverence, to bring gold and other jewels, tributes, and all medicinal herbs. He instructed them to gather white garlands, parched grains, honey and clarified butter separately, unworn garments, a chariot, and all kinds of weapons. The fourfold army was to be prepared, along with an elephant of auspicious marks, both fly-whisks, the white umbrella, and the banner. A hundred golden water jars, a bull with golden horns, and a complete tiger skin were to be arranged. Vasiṣṭha commanded that whatever else was desirable should also be prepared, and that everything be presented at dawn in the king’s fire-chamber. He ordered the gates of the inner palace and the whole city to be adorned with sandalwood garlands and fragrant incense. Excellent, wholesome food with curds and milk as condiments was to be provided in abundance for hundreds of thousands of Brahmins, as much as they desired. After honoring the foremost Brahmins, ghee, curds, parched grains, and abundant gifts were to be given to them the next morning. As soon as the sun rose, the auspicious rites would begin, Brahmins would be invited, and seats arranged for them. Banners would be fastened and the royal road sprinkled; all the doorkeepers and courtesans would be adorned. Those bearing food and gifts would stand in the second courtyard of the royal residence, and at temples and shrines. Those fit to bear garlands would be stationed separately, while those with long swords and leather belts, fully armed and splendidly dressed, would be present. The valiant men would enter the great royal hall. Thus, having given these instructions, the two Brahmins completed the arrangements. They did everything as ordered, reported to the king, and, approaching the lord of the world, said, “It is done.” Pleased and filled with joy at their faithful execution, the radiant king then spoke to Sumantra: “Let Rāma, who is self-controlled, be brought here quickly by you.” Sumantra agreed and went at the king’s command. He brought Rāma in a chariot, being the best among charioteers. As they sat together, Rāma saw King Dasharatha. Kings from the east, north, west, and south, as well as foreigners, Aryans, and others dwelling in forests and mountains, all waited upon Dasharatha as the gods do upon Indra. Among them, that royal sage shone like Indra among the Maruts. Standing on the palace terrace, Dasharatha saw his son approaching, renowned in the world for his valor, resembling a king of the Gandharvas. Rāma, long-armed, of great strength, moving like a proud elephant, with a face radiant as the moonstone, was exceedingly pleasing to behold. With beauty, nobility, and virtues that captivated the eyes and hearts of men, he delighted the people scorched by heat, as rain delights the earth. Even as Rāma approached, the king could not have enough of gazing at him. Then Sumantra helped Rāghava descend from the excellent chariot. With joined palms, Sumantra followed behind Rāma as he went toward his father. The joy of the Raghu line approached that palace, shining like a peak of Kailāsa. Rāghava swiftly ascended to see the king in that palace; approaching with joined hands, he bowed before his father. Announcing his own name, Rāma bowed at his father’s feet. Seeing him bowed with hands joined at his side, the king drew his beloved son close, grasping his joined hands, and offered him a splendid seat adorned with gems and gold. The king directed Rāma to that beautiful, highest seat. Having attained that excellent seat, Rāghava shone forth. By his own radiance, pure as the sun rising on Mount Meru, he illumined that assembly, which became resplendent. Like the autumn sky, pure with planets and stars, shines with the moon, so did that assembly glow. Seeing his beloved son, the king was satisfied.