Sumanta, the royal charioteer, entered Rāma’s palace and beheld a sight of splendor. Rāma, radiant and majestic like Kubera himself, sat adorned upon a golden couch beneath a graceful canopy. The prince, the vanquisher of foes, was anointed with pure, fragrant sandalwood paste, its rich hue reminiscent of a wild boar’s blood, signifying supreme value and auspiciousness. Beside Rāma stood Sītā, his beloved, holding a yak-tail fan. She was resplendent in her adornments, shining like a beautiful star beside the moon, embodying grace and devotion. Into this scene, the palace bard entered, skilled in humility and reverence. He bowed deeply to Rāma, whose own radiance was like the blazing sun, and who bestowed blessings upon those around him. Sumanta, honored by King Daśaratha, approached Rāma with joined palms. Addressing the prince, whose face glowed with happiness, Sumanta spoke as Rāma reclined in ease: “O Rāma, son of Kausalyā, your father wishes to see you. Go at once, and bring Queen Kaikeyī with you.” Hearing this, Rāma, the lion among men, radiant and delighted, honored Sītā and spoke warmly to her: “Devi, the king and queen surely confer together in my absence, discussing matters related to my consecration. My mother, the daughter of the king of Kekaya, is devoted to my welfare and desires my prosperity. By good fortune, the great king and his beloved queen have 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.” Sītā, honored by her husband, followed him to the door, uttering auspicious words. She declared, “The king, surrounded by Brahmins, is worthy to perform the royal consecration and install you, just as the creator installed Indra. Seeing you consecrated, observing vows, pure, clad in splendid deer skin and holding a deer’s 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. Emerging like a lion from a mountain cave, he saw Lakṣmaṇa at the door, standing with joined palms in reverence. As Rāma approached the middle chamber, surrounded by friends, he greeted and welcomed all the petitioners gathered there. The tiger among men, the delight of the king, then 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 all eyes. Drawn by excellent horses, swift as the wind and resembling young elephants, yoked with green steeds, it was like Indra’s own chariot driven by the thousand-eyed god. Rāghava, 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 Lakṣmaṇa, his brother, who held a decorated fan. Lakṣmaṇa, having mounted the chariot behind, protected his brother, and a tumultuous sound arose. Crowds of people gathered all around as he departed, and the finest horses and elephants, massive as mountains, followed. Hundreds and thousands followed Rāma; in front marched warriors adorned with sandalwood and aloe. Brave men bearing swords and bows went forward, full of hope, and sounds of instruments and praises from bards filled the air. Lion-like roars of heroes echoed along the road, from women adorned and standing at palace windows. The destroyer of foes proceeded, showered with abundant flowers by women, delighting them with his flawless form. Those in palaces and on the ground honored Rāma with excellent words: “Surely your mother Kausalyā rejoices, O delight of mothers.” “Seeing you achieve the successful journey and the ancestral kingdom, and Sītā, the foremost among noble women, among all noble wives.” The women regarded Sītā, beloved to Rāma’s heart, as the best among noble ladies, believing the queen must have performed great austerity in the past to attain union with Rāma, as Rohiṇī with the moon. Thus, Rāma heard sweet words spoken by women from palace towers as he proceeded along the royal road. There, Rāghava 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 fulfilled desire, 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.” Accompanied by horses neighing like a village, with elephants, and preceded by auspicious bards and heralds, honored by the finest musicians, Rāma proceeded, praised as Vaiśravaṇa would be. He beheld the great highway, crowded with elephants, chariots, horses, and throngs of people, its crossroads filled, abundant in gems and rich wares, shining pure. Thus concludes the account, and let the seventeenth chapter be heard.