With a humble heart, the charioteer’s son circled the attendants and quietly requested, “Please, go swiftly and inform Rāma that Sumanta waits at the door.” Eager to serve their master, the attendants promptly entered and conveyed to Rāma and Sītā the news of Sumanta’s arrival. Hearing this, Rāghava, ever desiring to please, invited the charioteer into the inner chambers of his father’s residence. As Sumanta entered, he beheld Rāma, radiant as Kubera himself, seated in majesty upon a golden couch beneath a splendid canopy. Rāma, the subduer of foes, was anointed with pure and fragrant sandalwood paste of deep crimson hue and supreme value. By his side stood Sītā, adorned and resplendent, holding a yak-tail fan—her beauty like the moon attended by a bright star. The bard, skilled in reverence, bowed low before Rāma, who shone with his own brilliance like the blazing sun, the bestower of blessings. Honored by the king, Sumanta joined his palms and addressed the prince, whose face glowed with radiance as he reclined at ease. “O Rāma, son of Kausalyā, your father wishes to see you. Go there without delay, and Queen Kaikeyī is with him.” Thus addressed, the lion among men, delighted and radiant, honored Sītā and spoke gently to her: “Devi, the king and queen are surely conferring in my absence, discussing matters related to the consecration. My mother, devoted and ever wishing for my welfare—the daughter of the king of Kekaya—also desires my prosperity. It is by good fortune that the great king, with his beloved queen, has sent Sumanta, eager to fulfill my wishes. Just as the assembly is noble, so is the messenger who has come; surely, today itself, the king will anoint me as crown prince. Well then, I shall go quickly to 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. She spoke with joy: “The king, worthy to perform the royal consecration and 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, I rejoice. May Indra protect you in the east, Yama in the south, Varuṇa in the west, and Kubera in the north.” Having taken leave of Sītā, who had performed auspicious rites, Rāma departed from his residence with Sumanta. As he emerged, like a lion from a mountain cave, he saw Lakṣmaṇa at the door, standing with joined palms in reverence. Passing through the middle chamber, Rāma, surrounded by friends, greeted and welcomed all the petitioners gathered there. Then, the tiger among men, delight of the king, ascended the splendid chariot, radiant as fire. The chariot thundered like a cloud, adorned with jewels and gold, its brilliance rivaling Mount Meru and dazzling the eyes. Drawn by excellent horses, green and swift as the wind, resembling young elephants, it was like Indra’s own chariot driven by the thousand-eyed god. Rāghava, ablaze with splendor, mounted quickly and departed, the chariot resounding like a rain cloud in the sky. The illustrious prince left his home like the moon emerging from great clouds, attended by Lakṣmaṇa, who held a decorated fan. Lakṣmaṇa mounted behind, ever vigilant to protect his brother, and then a tumultuous sound arose. Crowds gathered all around as Rāma departed; splendid horses and elephants, massive as mountains, followed him. Hundreds and thousands joined the procession, with warriors adorned in sandalwood and aloe leading the way. Brave men bearing swords and bows moved forward, full of hope, as the sounds of instruments and bards’ praises filled the air. Lion-like roars of heroes echoed along the road, while women adorned and standing at palace windows watched in admiration. As the destroyer of foes passed, women showered him with flowers, delighted by his flawless form. Those in palaces and on the ground honored Rāma with words of praise: “Surely your mother Kausalyā rejoices, O delight of mothers, seeing you achieve this successful journey and the ancestral kingdom—and Sītā, foremost among noble women, among all noble wives.” The women regarded Sītā, beloved of Rāma, as the best among noble ladies, convinced that the queen must have performed great austerities in the past to attain such union, just as Rohiṇī is joined with the moon. Thus, as Rāma, the best of men, proceeded along the royal road, he heard sweet words spoken by women from palace towers. Rāghava also heard the conversations of the gathered people, joyful citizens expressing their thoughts: “Today Rāghava attains prosperity, about to receive abundant royal favor; we all will have every wish fulfilled, for he will be our ruler. It is a blessing for the people that he will govern this kingdom for a long time; under this lord of men, no one will ever see anything unpleasant or experience sorrow.