Hearing the glad tidings, Kausalyā, her heart overflowing with long-cherished hopes now being fulfilled, spoke to Rāma, her words trembling and choked with tears of joy. “My child Rāma,” she said, “may you live long; your adversaries are vanquished. Endowed with prosperity, you bring happiness not only to my kinsfolk but also to Sumitrā. O son, surely you were born under an auspicious star, for through your virtues you have delighted your father, Daśaratha. Truly, my patience has not been in vain, O lotus-eyed one, for now the royal glory of the Ikṣvāku line will rest upon you, my son.” Thus addressed by his mother, Rāma looked upon his brother Lakṣmaṇa, who sat nearby with joined palms in humility, and Rāma spoke with a gentle, affectionate 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 respectfully bowed to his mothers, took leave of Sītā, and returned to his own residence. Meanwhile, in the palace, King Daśaratha, having instructed Rāma regarding the consecration to take place on the morrow, summoned the chief priest Vasiṣṭha and spoke to 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.” Vasiṣṭha, the foremost among those versed in the Vedas, replied, “So be it,” and, after addressing the king, made his way to Rāma’s residence. With the intention of having the heroic, wise, and ritual-knowing Rāma observe the prescribed fast, the steadfast Vasiṣṭha mounted his excellent Brahminical chariot. Rāma, eager and full of respectful haste, came out from his residence to honor the sage, for Vasiṣṭha was indeed worthy of the highest honor. Hastening forward, Rāma approached the venerable one near the chariot and, taking him by the hand, personally helped him alight. Seeing such humility, the priest spoke kindly to Rāma, delighting him with words befitting one so 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 once did for Yayāti.” Having thus spoken, the pure and self-restrained sage had Rāma, together with Vaidehī (Sītā), observe the prescribed fast according to the sacred ritual. After being duly honored by Rāma, the royal preceptor took leave of Kakutstha and departed from Rāma’s residence. Rāma, seated with his dear friends who spoke pleasant words, honored them in turn, and after taking leave of them, entered his house. At that time, Rāma’s residence shone resplendent, filled with joyful men and women, like a lake blooming with lotuses and thronged with intoxicated birds. Vasiṣṭha, departing from that palace-like abode of Rāma, saw the road outside crowded with people. Throughout Ayodhyā, the royal roads were densely packed with groups of curious citizens on all sides. The sound of the crowds along the royal road, filled with waves of people’s joy, was like the roar of the ocean. That day, Ayodhyā’s streets, sprinkled and swept clean, adorned with garlands from the forest and tall banners rising from house-tops, appeared splendid. The people of Ayodhyā, crowded with women and children, longed for Rāma’s consecration as eagerly as they awaited the sunrise. Adorned for the occasion and filled with joy, they looked forward to witnessing that great festival of Ayodhyā. Through this throng, the royal priest made his way slowly, as if parting the mass of people, until he reached the palace. Ascending a palace that resembled a peak of white clouds, he approached the king as Bṛhaspati would approach Indra. Seeing him arrive, the king rose from his throne, asked his opinion, and informed him that all preparations had been accomplished. The assembly members, seated together, rose to honor the chief priest. Then, permitted by his guru, the king left the multitude of men and entered his inner chambers, like a lion entering a mountain cave. That palace, crowded with women adorned in splendid attire and resembling Indra’s own mansion, the king entered, shining beautifully like the moon entering a sky filled with stars. When the chief priest had departed, Rāma, having bathed and with a disciplined mind, together with his wide-eyed wife, approached Nārāyaṇa. Holding the vessel of oblation in his hands, he offered clarified butter into the blazing fire, according to the rite, to the great deity. Having eaten the remainder of the oblation, wishing for his own good, he sat meditating on the god Nārāyaṇa, seated on a mat of sacred grass. When only one watch of the night remained, Rāma awoke and had his house thoroughly adorned according to proper custom. There, while listening to pleasant words from bards, genealogists, and panegyrists, he sat for the early morning worship, reciting prayers with full concentration, his heart and mind fixed on the sacred duties before him.