With the auspicious day drawing near and the constellation Puṣya soon to rise, a sense of anticipation filled the palace. Urged by this sacred alignment, Kaikeyī instructed the swift-footed Sumantra, son of the charioteer, to hurry to the great king so that Rama might receive the kingdom at the most propitious hour. Hearing her command, Sumantra—mighty and ever loyal—praised the tiger among kings as he entered the palace. The royal attendants at the door, seeing the aged and respected Sumantra approach, did not restrain him; instead, eager to please the king, they allowed him entry. Drawing near to the sovereign, Sumantra observed the king’s condition and, with heartfelt words of satisfaction, began to praise him. As he had done before, with hands respectfully joined, he extolled the lord of the earth within the palace halls. He spoke with warmth, “Just as the radiant ocean rejoices at the rising of the sun, so, O king, may you, with a joyful heart, bring happiness to us all. At this very hour, Mātali once praised Indra, the conqueror of demons; in the same way, I awaken you now. Just as the Vedas with all their branches and sciences awaken Brahma, the self-born lord, so today I awaken you. As the sun and the moon together awaken the beautiful earth, so too do I awaken you, O king. Rise, O great king! The festivities and auspicious rites are ready; shine forth like the sun upon Mount Meru. May Soma and Sūrya, O descendant of Kakutstha, along with Śiva, Kubera, Varuṇa, Agni, and Indra, grant you victory. The blessed night has passed, your previous task is completed. Awaken now, tiger among kings, and attend to your next sacred duty. All preparations for Rama’s consecration are complete; the townspeople, country folk, and merchants all stand with joined palms, awaiting your command. The venerable sage Vasiṣṭha himself, together with the assembled brāhmaṇas, is waiting. Quickly, O King, order the consecration of Rāghava. A kingdom without its king is like cattle without a herdsman, an army without a leader, a night without the moon, or cows without a bull. Such is the state of a realm where the king is not seen.” Hearing these gentle yet meaningful words, the king was again overwhelmed by sorrow. Thinking of his beloved son, he turned to Sumantra, his joy extinguished. His eyes, reddened with grief, shone with the radiance of righteousness as he looked up and said, “Indeed, with your words you have cut my heart again.” Witnessing the king’s sorrow and hearing his mournful words, Sumantra, hands respectfully joined, withdrew a little, his heart heavy. When the king, overcome with distress, could not speak, Kaikeyī—skilled in counsel—addressed Sumantra: “Sumantra, the king, longing for Rama’s consecration, spent the night sleepless and exhausted, and has now succumbed to sleep. Therefore, go quickly, charioteer, and bring the illustrious prince Rama. May good fortune attend you—there is no need for further deliberation.” Sumantra replied, “How can I go, noble lady, without hearing the king’s command?” Hearing this, the king summoned his strength and spoke to his minister: “Sumantra, I wish to see Rama. Quickly bring the handsome one to me.” Believing that good fortune was at hand, Sumantra rejoiced inwardly. At the king’s command, Sumantra departed swiftly and joyfully. Encouraged by Kaikeyī, he reflected, “Surely, the righteous king will summon Rama for the consecration.” With this hope, Sumantra, filled with delight, hastened to see Rāghava. Leaving the splendid inner quarters—grand as the ocean or a vast lake—he approached the palace gateway, which was crowded with people. Emerging from the palace, he saw the king’s doorkeepers and, beyond them, various wealthy citizens standing and waiting at the entrance, their faces bright with anticipation. Thus begins the fifteenth chapter. As the night passed, the brāhmaṇas—learned in the Vedas—assembled at the court alongside the royal priest. Ministers, army chiefs, and the foremost citizens all gathered joyfully, eager for Rāghava’s consecration. When the pure sun had risen and the day of Puṣya arrived, with the ascendant in Cancer and the auspicious time of Rama’s birth established, the foremost brahmins prepared all for the ceremony. Golden water vessels were filled, and a splendid, auspicious seat was adorned for Rama. A chariot, properly covered with a shining tiger skin, awaited him, and sacred water was brought from the confluence of the Gaṅgā and Yamunā. Water was also collected from other holy rivers, lakes, wells, and ponds—those flowing eastward, upward, across, and even those with milky waters—as well as from the oceans. Honey, curds, ghee, parched grains, darbha grass, flowers, and milk were all assembled. Eight beautiful maidens stood ready, and a noble, spirited elephant was present. Water jars, covered with milk, made of gold and silver, were filled and prepared. These jars, adorned with lotuses and water-lilies, shone white as the moon’s disk and were decorated with jewels. For Rama, the finest yak-tail fan and a white parasol, radiant like the moon, were set in place. All the splendid, shining, auspicious paraphernalia for the consecration stood ready, including a white bull and white horses, prepared for the noble ceremony. In this way, all was made ready for the great event, as the city and its people awaited the dawn of Rama’s consecration.