After some time, Rāma was approached by the royal charioteer, who respectfully said, “The king wishes to see you; after hearing this, you may go or not as you see fit.” Hearing these words, a sense of urgency filled Rāma’s heart. Without delay, he made his way once more to the palace to see his father, King Daśaratha. Word quickly reached Daśaratha that Rāma had arrived. Desiring to speak kindly and lovingly, the king had Rāma brought into his private chamber. As the illustrious Rāghava entered, he saw his father from afar. With joined palms, Rāma bowed deeply in reverence. The king raised him up, embracing him warmly, offered him a seat, and then began to speak to his beloved son. “Rāma,” Daśaratha said, “I am old, long-lived, and have enjoyed pleasures as I wished. I have performed hundreds of sacrifices, giving abundantly as my heart desired. Today, O best of men, you are my incomparable and cherished son, born as I wished. I have given, learned, and achieved all that I desired. O hero, I have experienced happiness, and I am free of debts—to the gods, seers, ancestors, priests, and to myself. There is nothing left for me to do for you except your consecration. Therefore, whatever I tell you now, you ought to carry out for me.” The king continued, “Today, all the people desire you as their king; thus, my son, I will consecrate you as crown prince. Moreover, today I have seen ominous dreams—fiery meteors with thunderous sounds are falling from the sky. Astrologers inform me that my star is afflicted by cruel planets—by the Sun, Mars, and Rāhu. Generally, when such omens arise, the king meets death and encounters terrible calamity. Therefore, Rāghava, before my mind becomes confused, you must be consecrated; for the thoughts of living beings are indeed fickle.” Daśaratha explained further, “Today, the moon has reached Pūrvāṣāḍhā before Puṣya; tomorrow, astrologers will certainly announce the conjunction with Puṣya. Therefore, be consecrated during Puṣya; my mind urges me strongly. Tomorrow, I will consecrate you as crown prince, O scorcher of foes. From today onward, you must spend the night with self-restraint, together with your wife, lying upon a bed of darbha grass. Your friends, alert, will guard you today on all sides; for undertakings of this kind encounter many obstacles.” He added, “Since Bharata is away from the city, the time for your consecration has arrived, in my opinion. Indeed, your brother Bharata follows the conduct of the virtuous; he honors his elder, is righteous, compassionate, and has mastered his senses. Yet, I believe the minds of men are unstable; but among the virtuous who are steadfast in righteousness, their actions shine, O Rāghava.” Thus instructed and permitted regarding the consecration to occur the next day, Rāma bowed to his father and departed for his own house. Upon entering his residence, as the king had ordered, Rāma immediately proceeded to his mother’s inner chambers. There, he saw his mother Kausalyā, humble, dressed in fine linen, silent and seated in the shrine, praying for prosperity. Sumitrā and Lakṣmaṇa had already arrived, and Sītā too had been brought, having heard the joyful news of Rāma’s impending consecration. At that moment, Kausalyā stood with her eyes closed, surrounded by Sumitrā, Sītā, and Lakṣmaṇa. Hearing that her son would be anointed as crown prince under the Puṣya constellation, she restrained her breath and meditated upon Janārdana. While she was still engaged in her observances, Rāma approached, greeted her reverently, and spoke words that delighted her: “Mother, my father has appointed me to the duty of protecting the people; tomorrow I will be consecrated, as per my father’s command. Sītā too must observe a fast tonight with me; thus have my teachers instructed me, for my father has told me so. Whatever auspicious rites are appropriate for tomorrow’s consecration, arrange those today for me and for Vaidehī as well.” Hearing this, Kausalyā, whose long-cherished wish was being fulfilled, spoke to Rāma with words choked by tears of joy: “My child Rāma, may you live long; your adversaries are vanquished. You, endowed with prosperity, bring joy to my kinsfolk and to Sumitrā as well. O son, you were indeed born under an auspicious star, for by your virtues you have pleased your father, Daśaratha. Truly, my patience has not been in vain, O lotus-eyed one, for this royal glory of the Ikṣvāku line will now rest upon you, my son.” Thus addressed by his mother, Rāma looked upon his brother Lakṣmaṇa, who sat with joined palms in humility, and spoke with a gentle smile: “Lakṣmaṇa, rule this earth together with me; this royal fortune has come to you, whom I consider my second self. Saumitri, enjoy the pleasures and fruits of sovereignty; both my life and the kingdom I desire for your sake.” Having spoken thus to Lakṣmaṇa, Rāma bowed to his mothers, took leave of Sītā, and returned to his own residence. Thus is recited the fifth sarga of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa.