Having received Sumanta’s message, Rama, radiant as a lion among men and full of delight, turned to Sita. With warmth and honor, he addressed her, saying, “Devi, surely the king and queen are conferring together in my absence, discussing matters of my consecration. My mother, the daughter of the king of Kekaya, ever 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. The messenger is as distinguished as the assembly itself; surely, today the king will anoint me as crown prince.” He continued, “Well then, I shall go quickly to see the king. You remain here happily with your attendants and enjoy yourself.” Sita, honored by her husband, followed Rama to the door, her dark eyes shining, and spoke auspicious words. She said, “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 deer’s horn, 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 his residence together with Sumanta. Emerging like a lion from a mountain cave, he saw Lakshmana at the door, standing with joined palms in reverence. As Rama entered the middle chamber, surrounded by friends, he saw all the petitioners, greeted them, and welcomed them. Then, the tiger among men, the 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. 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. 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 the sounds of instruments and praises from bards filled the air. Lion-like roars of the heroes echoed along the road, from women adorned and standing at palace windows all around. The destroyer of foes proceeded, showered with abundant flowers by women; Rama, flawless in every limb, delighted them. Those in palaces and on the ground honored Rama 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 Rama’s heart, as the best among noble ladies, believing the queen had performed great austerity in the past. Sita’s union with Rama was like Rohiṇī’s with the moon. Thus, as Rama proceeded along the royal road, he heard sweet words spoken by women from palace towers. He also heard the conversations of the gathered citizens, joyful and 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, Rama 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 in many wares, shining pure. Let the seventeenth chapter be heard. Rama mounted the chariot, surrounded by joyful friends, adorned with banners and flags, and perfumed with costly incense. The illustrious Rama gazed upon the city, teeming with people, its houses shining pale like clouds. He proceeded along the royal road, its center scented with incense, lined with heaps of sandalwood and aloe. There were the finest fragrances, silks of linen and cotton, and pearls unpierced, along with exquisite crystals. He saw that splendid, unobstructed royal road, covered with various flowers and foods, both high and low. He beheld that royal road, as the lord of the gods might in heaven, adorned with offerings of curd, rice, and barley, and with incense of aloe and sandalwood.