Upon hearing that Rāma had arrived, King Daśaratha, wishing to speak kindly with his beloved son, had Rāma brought into his private chamber. As the illustrious Rāghava entered the palace, he caught sight of his father from afar and, with palms joined in reverence, bowed down before him. Daśaratha gently raised Rāma as he bowed, embraced him warmly, offered him a seat, and then began to speak again. “Rāma,” the king said, “I am old and have lived a long life, enjoying pleasures as I wished. I have performed hundreds of sacrifices with abundant gifts, fulfilling all my desires. 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 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. Today, all the people desire you as their king. Thus, my son, I will consecrate you as the crown prince. Moreover, today, O Rāma, I have seen ominous dreams: fiery meteors with thunderous sounds 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. 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. 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 addressed and permitted regarding the consecration to occur the next day, Rāma bowed to his father and departed for his house. Entering his own residence, as ordered by the king for the consecration, he immediately went out and proceeded to his mother's inner chambers. There, he saw his mother Kausalyā, humble and 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 time, 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 with reverence, and spoke these words, delighting 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 thus spoken to Lakṣmaṇa, Rāma bowed to his mothers, took leave of Sītā, and went to his own residence. Now, the fifth chapter of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa, is recited. Having instructed Rāma regarding tomorrow’s consecration, King Daśaratha summoned the chief priest Vasiṣṭha and spoke to him: “Go, O descendant of Kakutstha, and have him observe a fast today with his wife, O possessor of austerities, for the sake of auspiciousness and attainment of the kingdom.