The royal palace of Rāma stood resplendent, exuding delightful fragrances like a mountain peak freshly washed by the rains. Its air was alive with the melodious calls of cranes and peacocks, filling the heart with joy. All around, the palace was adorned with exquisitely carved deer, made with the deepest devotion, their brilliance captivating the eyes and minds of all who beheld them. So magnificent was this abode that it shone with the radiance of the sun and the moon, rivaling the mansion of Kubera and the celestial halls of Indra, and was filled with the songs of many birds. As Sumantra, the king’s charioteer, approached, he gazed upon Rāma’s house, towering like the summit of Mount Meru. Crowds had gathered there, people standing with joined palms, their faces bright with hope and anticipation for Rāma’s consecration. The palace was as majestic as a great rain cloud, lofty and splendid, adorned with precious gems, and even surrounded by dwarfs. As Sumantra rode his horse-drawn chariot toward the king’s residence, a splendid escort accompanied him, and the palace buzzed with activity, delighting the hearts of the city’s people. When he arrived at the magnificent and prosperous house, Sumantra was filled with joy, his hair standing on end. The mansion, teeming with deer and peacocks, shone with the beauty of Indra’s queen’s dwelling. Entering its inner chambers, adorned like Mount Kailāsa and reminiscent of the gods’ own abodes, Sumantra passed by many dear and devoted attendants of Rāma, finally reaching the pure inner quarters. There, he heard the joyful voices of people gathered for Rāma’s consecration, their words full of auspicious wishes for the king’s son, spreading happiness throughout the world. Sumantra gazed upon Rāma’s palace, equal to Indra’s own, delightful and radiant, inhabited by deer and birds, and rising like Mount Meru’s peak. At the entrance, villagers crowded together, bearing gifts and offering respectful salutations. The gateway was a scene of bustling energy, with countless vehicles parked all around. Sumantra’s eyes fell upon the mighty elephant, Shatruñjaya, massive as a cloud-covered mountain, fierce and difficult to restrain, splendid and worthy of Rāma. He also saw Rāma’s chief ministers, splendidly adorned, accompanied by horses, chariots, and elephants—all loyal to Rāma. Passing through this assembly, Sumantra entered the prosperous inner palace, unstoppable in his purpose. He moved through a mansion vast as a mountain peak, overflowing with treasures, like a makara entering the ocean. Now, let the sixteenth chapter be heard. Crossing the palace entrance, crowded with people, Sumantra reached a secluded chamber, well-versed in the ancient ways. There stood young men, vigilant and focused, bearing swords and bows, adorned with gleaming earrings, ever loyal to their master. Nearby, elderly men in saffron robes, holding staffs, and women’s overseers, attentive and composed, watched over the doors. Seeing Sumantra approach, all those eager to serve Rāma rose swiftly from their seats, hurrying to show their respect. With a humble heart, Sumantra circled them and said, “Quickly tell Rāma that Sumanta waits at the door.” Eager to please, they immediately informed Rāma and his wife of the charioteer’s arrival. Hearing this, Rāghava, always desiring to please, summoned Sumantra into his father’s inner chamber. There, Sumantra beheld Rāma, radiant like Kubera, seated and adorned upon a golden couch beneath a canopy. Rāma, the subduer of foes, was anointed with pure, fragrant sandalwood paste, glowing with a deep red hue and of great value. By Rāma’s side stood Sītā, holding a yak-tail fan, adorned and shining, like the moon attended by a beautiful star. Sumantra, skilled in reverence, bowed to Rāma, who shone with his own brilliance like the blazing sun, the bestower of boons. Honored by the king, Sumantra, with joined palms, addressed the radiant prince as he reclined at ease: “O Rāma, son of Kausalya, your father wishes to see you. Go there without delay, along with Queen Kaikeyi.” Thus addressed, the lion among men, radiant and delighted, honored Sītā and spoke to her: “Devi, the king and queen are surely conferring together in my absence, discussing something related to the consecration. My mother—daughter of the king of Kekaya—devoted to my welfare, also desires my prosperity. By good fortune, the great king, together with his beloved queen, has sent Sumantra as a messenger, eager to fulfill my wishes. Just as the assembly is distinguished, so is the messenger who has come. Surely, today itself, the king will anoint me as crown prince. “Well then, I shall go quickly and see the king. You remain here happily with your attendants and enjoy yourself.” Honored by her husband, Sītā of dark eyes followed him to the door, uttering auspicious words: “The king, worthy to perform the royal consecration, surrounded by Brahmins, is fit to install you, as the creator installed Indra. Seeing you, consecrated, observing vows, pure, clad in a splendid deer skin, and holding a horn of a deer, I rejoice. May Indra protect you in the east, Yama in the south, Varuna in the west, and Kubera in the north.” Having taken leave of Sītā, who had performed auspicious rites, Rāma departed from his residence together with Sumantra, his heart full of hope and devotion.