Alarka, radiant and steadfast, once gave away his very eyes to a learned brāhmaṇa who asked for them. Though he was reluctant, he did not waver in his commitment to his word. In the same way, the lord of rivers, bound by the promise of truth, never crosses his appointed shore, faithfully keeping to his vow. For truth alone is the eternal principle; upon it rests all righteousness. The imperishability of the Vedas is rooted in truth, and through truth the highest goal is attained. Kaikeyī, unwavering in her resolve, pressed King Daśaratha further. “If you are truly set on righteousness, then abide by truth. Let the boon I have asked of you bear fruit, for you are indeed a giver of boons, O noble king. For the sake of righteousness, and because I urge you, send Rāma into exile. I tell you this three times. If you do not fulfill this promise, then, forsaken before your very eyes, I will abandon my own life.” Thus compelled by Kaikeyī’s relentless insistence, King Daśaratha found himself utterly unable to escape her demands, just as Bali had once been ensnared by Indra’s net. His heart was in turmoil, his face drained of color, and he trembled like a horse yoked between the wheels of a chariot. His vision clouded, he struggled to gather his courage and finally spoke to Kaikeyī. “The night has passed, O lady, and the sun is about to rise. Soon the people will urge me to consecrate Rāma. All the preparations for the ceremony have been made. Let Rāma perform the water-rites for me, as if I were already dead. You and your son must not perform these rites if you obstruct Rāma’s consecration, O woman of evil intent. Today, I cannot bear to face the people whose joyful faces I once saw; now, with their happiness destroyed, they will turn away from me in sorrow.” As the great-souled king spoke these words, the auspicious night, adorned with the moon and stars, drew to its close. But Kaikeyī, her heart hardened, addressed the king again with harsh words, skilled in speech and inflamed by anger. “Why do you speak such words, O King, as if they were poisoned arrows? You should summon your son Rāma here at once. Install my son on the throne, send Rāma to the forest, and make me free from rivals—then your duty will be fulfilled.” Struck again by Kaikeyī’s goading words, King Daśaratha, bound by righteousness and lost in grief, replied, “My mind is confused by the ties of dharma. I wish only to see my beloved eldest son Rāma, who is devoted to righteousness.” As the auspicious night ended, the sun rose, the stars aligned favorably, and the proper moment for the ceremony arrived. The venerable sage Vasiṣṭha, endowed with virtue and accompanied by his disciples, gathered all the necessary items and entered the foremost city. The streets had been sprinkled and swept clean, adorned with splendid banners, bustling with joyful attendants, and prosperous with shops and markets. The city was alive with festival preparations for Rāghava’s sake, perfumed everywhere with sandalwood, aloe, and incense. Passing through this city, which rivaled Indra’s own, the illustrious Vasiṣṭha beheld the inner palace, splendid with many kinds of banners. The palace was crowded with townspeople and countryfolk, graced by Brahmins holding staffs, filled with fine horses, and highly honored. Reaching the inner palace, Vasiṣṭha, greatly pleased and surrounded by eminent sages, made his way through the gathered assembly. There, he saw Sumantra, the renowned charioteer, emerging from the door of the lion among men—a minister pleasing to behold. The mighty Vasiṣṭha addressed Sumantra, “Quickly inform the king that I have arrived. Here are pitchers of Ganges water, golden vessels from the seas, and a sacred wooden seat of udumbara for the consecration. All kinds of seeds, fragrant substances, various jewels, honey, curds, ghee, parched grains, darbha grass, flowers, and milk are here. There are also eight lovely maidens, a noble intoxicated elephant, a splendid chariot with four horses, a sword, and an excellent bow. A vehicle attended by men, a parasol like the moon, white fly-whisks, and a golden vessel for sprinkling. A bull with a hump, pale in color, adorned with golden chains; a lion with four fangs, the foremost of monkeys, possessing great strength. A throne, a tiger skin, sacrificial firewood, and the fire for offerings; all kinds of musical instruments, and women adorned with ornaments. Teachers, Brahmins, sacred cows, auspicious beasts and birds, leading citizens of town and country, and merchants with their groups—all these and many others, delighted and speaking kindly, are assembled with the kings for Rāma’s consecration. Hasten to the great king, so that, when the auspicious day arrives and the constellation Puṣya is in conjunction, Rāma may obtain the kingdom.” Hearing these words, the mighty son of the charioteer praised the tiger among kings and entered the palace. The royal attendants at the door, eager to please the king, did not attempt to restrain the aged man as he entered. Standing near the king and perceiving his troubled state, Sumantra began to praise him with words of utmost satisfaction.