As the charioteer approached Rāma’s residence, he beheld a house towering like the peak of Mount Meru, its grandeur matched only by the multitude of people gathered before it. The crowd, hands joined in reverence, overflowed with villagers and city folk alike, their faces alight with anticipation for Rāma’s consecration. The palace itself stood majestic, splendid and lofty as a great cloud, its brilliance enhanced by the glitter of countless gems and encircled even by dwarfs, adding to the festive air. Driving his horse-drawn chariot, the charioteer brought life and bustle to the royal palace, his arrival accompanied by a splendid escort that delighted the hearts of all who witnessed it. As he reached the magnificent, wealthy house, joy overwhelmed him—his hair stood on end. The residence teemed with deer and peacocks, radiant and splendid like the abode of Indra’s queen. Entering chambers adorned as beautifully as Kailāsa, resembling the dwellings of the gods, the charioteer passed many devoted attendants of Rāma, finally reaching the pure inner quarters. There, the joyful voices of people gathered for Rāma’s consecration echoed with auspicious wishes for the king’s son, their words filled with delight for the whole world. Sumantra gazed upon Rāma’s palace, splendid as Indra’s mansion, delightful and inhabited by deer and birds, its brilliance rivaling the peaks of Mount Meru. The entrance was crowded with villagers bearing gifts and offering respectful salutations, while countless vehicles were parked, making the gateway a scene of bustling activity. He then saw the mighty elephant, Shatruñjaya, fierce and difficult to restrain even by goads, splendid and fit for Rāma, its form imposing like a cloud-covered mountain. The chief ministers, splendidly adorned, accompanied by horses, chariots, and elephants—all dear to Rāma—stood nearby. Sumantra passed through them, entering the prosperous inner palace. Unstoppable, he entered a mansion vast as a mountain peak, filled with treasures, like a makara entering the ocean. Crossing the palace entrance crowded with people, Sumantra reached a secluded chamber, his mind well-versed in ancient customs. There, young men bearing swords and bows, adorned with polished earrings, stood vigilant and loyal, guarding their master. Elderly men in saffron robes, holding staffs, and overseers of the women’s quarters, attentive and composed, were stationed at the door. Seeing him approach, all those eager to please Rāma quickly rose from their seats in haste and reverence. With a humble heart, Sumantra’s son circled them and said, “Quickly tell Rāma that Sumanta waits at the door.” Eager to please, they promptly informed Rāma and his wife of Sumanta’s arrival. Upon hearing the report, Rāghava, desiring to please, summoned the charioteer into his father’s inner chamber. There, Sumantra saw Rāma, radiant as Kubera, seated upon a golden couch with a canopy. The scorcher of foes was anointed with pure, fragrant sandalwood paste, his complexion deep and lustrous, of supreme value. By his side stood Sita, holding a yak-tail fan, adorned and resplendent, like the moon attended by a beautiful star. The bard, skilled in reverence and humility, bowed to Rāma, who shone with his own radiance like the blazing sun, the bestower of boons. Sumanta, honored by the king, addressed the prince, whose face was radiant, 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, Rāma, radiant and delighted, honored Sita and spoke gently to her: “Devi, the king and queen are surely conferring together in my absence, discussing something related to the consecration. She, delighted and devoted to my welfare—my mother, daughter of the king of Kekaya—also desires my prosperity. By good fortune, the great king, together with his beloved queen, has sent Sumanta 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, Sita 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 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 Sita, who had performed auspicious rites, Rāma departed from the residence together with Sumanta. Emerging like a lion from a mountain cave, he saw Lakshmana at the door, standing with joined palms in reverence. In the middle chamber, as he approached, surrounded by friends, Rāma saw all the petitioners, greeted them, and welcomed them. Finally, the tiger among men, the delight of the king, ascended the splendid chariot, radiant like fire, ready to proceed to his father’s presence.