As ominous signs began to manifest, King Daśaratha’s heart grew anxious, for he knew that such portents often heralded disaster or even death for a ruler. Turning to his beloved son Rāma, the king spoke with urgency: “Rāghava, before my mind becomes clouded and confused, you must be consecrated. The thoughts of living beings are fickle and ever-changing, so let us act swiftly.” He explained that the moon had reached Pūrvāṣāḍhā before Puṣya that day, and tomorrow, the astrologers would surely announce its conjunction with Puṣya—a most auspicious moment. Daśaratha declared, “Therefore, be consecrated during Puṣya; my mind urges me strongly. Tomorrow, I will consecrate you as crown prince, O scorcher of foes.” Giving further instructions, the king told Rāma, “From tonight onward, you must spend the night with self-restraint, together with your wife, lying upon a bed of sacred darbha grass.” He ordered Rāma’s friends to guard him vigilantly, for such undertakings often faced many obstacles. Daśaratha noted that Bharata was away from the city, and thus, the time for Rāma’s consecration had arrived. He reassured Rāma, “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.” Having thus spoken and given permission for the consecration to occur the next day, Rāma bowed respectfully to his father and departed for his own house. Upon entering his residence, as instructed by the king, he immediately proceeded to his mother’s inner chambers. There, he found his mother Kausalyā, humble and dressed in fine linen, seated silently 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. Kausalyā stood with her eyes closed, surrounded by Sumitrā, Sītā, and Lakṣmaṇa, meditating upon Janārdana and restraining her breath, as she received the news that her son would be anointed as crown prince under the Puṣya constellation. While Kausalyā was still engaged in her observances, Rāma approached her, greeted her reverently, and spoke words that delighted her heart: “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.” Rāma, thus addressed by his mother, 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 returned to his own residence. Here ends the fourth sarga of Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa. After instructing Rāma regarding the consecration to take place the next day, King Daśaratha summoned the chief priest Vasiṣṭha and spoke: “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.” Vasiṣṭha, the best among those versed in the Vedas, replied, “So be it,” and, after addressing the king, made his way to Rāma’s residence. To ensure that the heroic, wise, and ritual-knowing Rāma would observe the fast, the steadfast Vasiṣṭha mounted his excellent Brahminical chariot. Rāma, eager and respectful, went out from his residence to honor the sage who had arrived, for Vasiṣṭha was worthy of great honor. Hastening, Rāma approached the wise priest near the chariot and, taking him by the hand, personally helped him down. Seeing Rāma’s humility, the priest spoke kindly to him, delighting Rāma with words befitting one dear and deserving: “Rāma, your father is pleased with you, and you shall obtain the kingdom; today, together with Sītā, you should undertake a fast. For tomorrow, your father Daśaratha, out of affection, will anoint you as crown prince, just as Nahusha did for Yayāti.” Having spoken thus, the pure and self-restrained sage had Rāma, together with Vaidehī, observe the prescribed fast according to the ritual. After being duly honored by Rāma, the royal preceptor took leave of Kakutstha and departed from Rāma’s residence. There, Rāma, seated with his dear friends who spoke pleasant words, honored them and, after taking leave of them all, entered his house, preparing himself for the sacred rites to come.