Rama approached the entrance of his residence, where he found elderly men in saffron robes, holding staffs and adorned, stationed with dignity at the doorway. Nearby, women’s overseers stood attentive and composed, maintaining order. As Rama drew near, all those eager to please him quickly rose from their seats, moving with haste and reverence. Sumanta, the charioteer’s son, with a humble heart, circled the assembly and requested, “Quickly tell Rama that Sumanta waits at the door.” The attendants, eager to serve their master, promptly informed both Rama and his wife, Sita, of Sumanta’s arrival. Upon hearing this, Rama, desiring to please, summoned Sumanta into his father’s inner chamber. Entering, Sumanta saw Rama seated upon a golden couch with a canopy, adorned and radiant, resembling Kubera himself. Rama, the scorcher of foes, was anointed with fragrant sandalwood paste of supreme value, its hue like boar’s blood. Beside him stood Sita, holding a yak-tail fan, resplendent and adorned, shining like the moon attended by a beautiful star. Sumanta, the bard, skilled in reverence and humility, bowed deeply to Rama, who glowed with his own radiance like the blazing sun, the bestower of boons. Honored by the king, Sumanta, with joined palms, addressed the prince—whose face was radiant—as he reclined at ease: “O Rama, son of Kausalya, your father wishes to see you. Go there without delay, along with Queen Kaikeyi.” Thus addressed, Rama, the lion among men, radiant and delighted, honored Sita and spoke warmly to her: “Devi, the king and queen are surely conferring together in my absence, discussing something related to the consecration. She, my mother—the daughter of the king of Kekaya—delighted and devoted to my welfare, 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. She said, “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 Sita, who had performed auspicious rites, Rama 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. Then, as he entered the middle chamber, surrounded by friends, Rama saw all the petitioners, greeted them, and welcomed them. The tiger among men, delight of the king, ascended the splendid chariot, radiant like fire. The chariot thundered like a cloud, adorned with jewels and gold, shining with a brilliance rivaling Mount Meru and dazzling the eyes. Drawn by excellent horses resembling young elephants, swift as the wind, yoked with green steeds, it was like Indra’s chariot driven by the thousand-eyed god. Rama, ablaze with splendor, mounted quickly and departed, resounding like a rain cloud in the sky. The illustrious prince left his residence like the moon emerging from great clouds, attended by Lakshmana, his brother, holding a decorated fan. Lakshmana, having mounted the chariot behind, protected his brother, and then a tumultuous sound arose. As Rama departed, crowds of people gathered all around; the finest horses and elephants, massive as mountains, followed. Hundreds and thousands followed Rama; in front marched warriors adorned with sandalwood and aloe. Brave men bearing swords and bows went forward, full of hope, while sounds of instruments and praises from bards filled the air. Lion-like roars of the heroes echoed along the road, and women adorned, standing at palace windows all around, watched. The destroyer of foes proceeded, showered with abundant flowers by women, and Rama, flawless in every limb, delighted them. Those in palaces and on the ground honored Rama with excellent words: “Surely your mother Kausalya rejoices, O delight of mothers. Seeing you achieve the successful journey and the ancestral kingdom, and Sita, the foremost among noble women, among all noble wives.” The women regarded Sita, beloved to Rama’s heart, as the best among noble ladies, believing the queen must have performed great austerity in the past. Sita attained union with Rama as Rohini with the moon; thus, the best of men heard sweet words spoken by women from palace towers as he proceeded along the royal road. There, Rama heard the conversations of the gathered people, various words expressing their own thoughts, from the joyful citizens of the city, as he made his way to the king.