King Daśaratha, his hair silvered with age and his life rich with fulfillment, sat before his son Rāma and spoke with heartfelt candor. “Rāma, I am old and long-lived,” he began, “and I have enjoyed every pleasure as I wished. I have performed hundreds of sacrifices, giving abundantly as my heart desired. Today, O best of men, you, my incomparable and cherished son, stand before me—born as I wished, the fruit of my prayers. I have given, I have learned, and I have accomplished all that I set out to do.” Looking upon Rāma with deep affection, the king continued, “O hero, I have tasted happiness in full measure. I am free of all debts—to the gods, the seers, the ancestors, the priests, and even to myself. There remains but one thing left for me to do for you: your consecration. Therefore, whatever I tell you now, you must fulfill for my sake. “Today, all the people desire you as their king. Thus, my son, I will consecrate you as the crown prince. Moreover, Rāma, I have seen ominous dreams—fiery meteors, accompanied by thunderous sounds, are falling from the sky. The astrologers inform me that my star is afflicted by cruel planets—by the Sun, Mars, and Rāhu. When such omens appear, it is generally a sign that the king may face death or terrible calamity. “Therefore, Rāghava, before my mind grows confused, you must be consecrated. The thoughts of living beings are indeed fickle, and I do not wish to delay. Today, the moon has entered Pūrvāṣāḍhā before Puṣya; tomorrow, the conjunction with Puṣya will be announced by the astrologers. Thus, be consecrated under the Puṣya star; my mind urges me strongly. Tomorrow, O scorcher of foes, I will anoint you as crown prince. “From this day onward, you must spend the night with self-restraint, together with your wife, lying upon a bed of darbha grass. Your friends, alert and vigilant, will guard you on all sides, for such undertakings are often beset with obstacles. Since Bharata is away from the city, I believe the time for your consecration has arrived. “Indeed, your brother Bharata follows the conduct of the virtuous—he honors his elders, 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 by his father to be consecrated on the morrow, Rāma bowed reverently and departed for his own residence. Entering his house as ordered by the king, he immediately made his way to his mother’s inner chambers. There, Rāma beheld his mother Kausalyā, humble and serene, dressed in fine linen, sitting silently in the shrine, praying for her son’s prosperity. Sumitrā and Lakṣmaṇa had already arrived, and Sītā too had been brought, her heart uplifted by the joyful news of Rāma’s consecration. At that moment, Kausalyā stood with eyes closed, surrounded by Sumitrā, Sītā, and Lakṣmaṇa, her mind absorbed in prayer. Hearing that her beloved son would be anointed as crown prince under the auspicious Puṣya constellation, she restrained her breath and meditated upon Janārdana. While she was still engaged in her sacred observances, Rāma approached, greeted her with reverence, and spoke words that filled her heart with delight. “Mother, my father has appointed me to the duty of protecting the people; tomorrow, by his command, I will be consecrated. Sītā too must observe a fast tonight with me, as my teachers have instructed, for so has my father decreed. Whatever auspicious rites are appropriate for tomorrow’s consecration, please arrange them today for both me and Vaidehī.” Hearing this, Kausalyā, whose long-cherished wish was finally coming true, 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 the 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, Rāma bowed to his mothers, took leave of Sītā, and returned to his own residence. Meanwhile, having instructed Rāma regarding the consecration for the following day, King Daśaratha summoned the chief priest Vasiṣṭha and addressed him: “Go, O descendant of Kakutstha, and have Rāma observe a fast today with his wife, O possessor of austerities, for the sake of auspiciousness and attainment of the kingdom.” “So be it,” replied the venerable Vasiṣṭha, best among those versed in the Vedas. After addressing the king, he set out for Rāma’s residence, riding upon his excellent Brahminical chariot, intent on ensuring that the heroic, wise, and ritual-knowing Rāma would observe the prescribed fast. Eager and filled with respectful haste, Rāma came out from his residence to honor the great sage who had arrived, for Vasiṣṭha was indeed worthy of the highest honor.