Rāma, after hearing his mother’s words, gazed upon his brother Lakṣmaṇa, who sat before him with joined palms in humble reverence. With a gentle smile, Rāma spoke, “Lakṣmaṇa, rule this earth alongside me; this royal fortune has come to you, whom I regard as 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, Rāma bowed respectfully to his mothers, took leave of Sītā, and departed for his own residence. Meanwhile, King Daśaratha, having instructed Rāma about the consecration to take place the next day, summoned the chief priest Vasiṣṭha. He 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.” Vasiṣṭha, the venerable sage well-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 and wise Rāma, knowledgeable in rituals, would observe the prescribed fast, the steadfast Vasiṣṭha mounted his excellent Brahminical chariot. Rāma, eager and respectful, hurried out from his residence to honor the sage upon his arrival. He approached Vasiṣṭha near the chariot, and, taking him by the hand, personally assisted him in alighting. Seeing Rāma’s humility, the priest spoke kindly to him, delighting Rāma 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. 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 guided Rāma and Vaidehī to observe the fast in accordance with the ritual. After being duly honored by Rāma, the royal preceptor took leave of him and departed from Rāma’s residence. Rāma, seated with his close friends who spoke pleasant words, honored them and, after bidding farewell, entered his house. At that moment, Rāma’s residence shone brightly, filled with joyful men and women, resembling a lake in full bloom with lotuses, thronged with intoxicated birds. Vasiṣṭha, departing from Rāma’s palace-like residence, saw the road 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 joy, echoed like the roar of the ocean. Ayodhyā, with its streets sprinkled and swept, adorned with garlands from the forest and tall house banners, appeared splendid. The people of Ayodhyā, crowded with women and children, eagerly awaited Rāma’s consecration as they would the sunrise. Adorned for the occasion and filled with joy, they were eager to witness the great festival of Ayodhyā. The royal priest, making his way through the throng, moved slowly toward the palace, as if parting the mass of people. Ascending a palace that resembled a peak of white clouds, Vasiṣṭha approached the king, like Bṛhaspati coming to Indra. Seeing him arrive, the king rose from his throne, asked his opinion, and informed him that everything had been accomplished. The assembly members, equal in stature, rose from their seats to honor the chief priest. Permitted by his guru, the king left the multitude and entered the inner chambers, like a lion entering a mountain cave. The palace, crowded with women adorned in splendid attire and resembling Indra’s own mansion, shone beautifully as the king entered, 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 and following the prescribed rite, he offered clarified butter to the great deity into the blazing fire. Having eaten the remainder of the oblation, wishing for his own good, he sat meditating on Nārāyaṇa, seated on sacred grass. When only one watch of the night remained, Rāma awoke and had his house thoroughly adorned according to proper custom. While listening to pleasant words from bards, genealogists, and panegyrists, he sat for early morning worship, reciting prayers with full concentration. He praised and bowed his head to Madhusūdana and, clothed in pure linen, had the Brāhmaṇas recite the Vedas. Then, the auspicious and deep, sweet sounds of their chanting, accompanied by the music of instruments, filled Ayodhyā. Hearing that Rāghava, together with Vaidehī, had completed the fast, all the people of Ayodhyā rejoiced. With the news of Rāma’s consecration and the night ended, all the townspeople set about adorning the city, their hearts filled with joy and anticipation for the great festival to come.