Rama, sensing the stirrings of change, spoke to Sita with gentle assurance. “Devi,” he said, “the king and queen are surely conferring together in my absence, discussing matters related to my consecration.” His heart was buoyed by the thought of his mother, the daughter of the king of Kekaya, whose delight and devotion always centered on his welfare; she too desired nothing more than his prosperity. By auspicious fortune, the great king, together with his beloved queen, had sent Sumanta as a messenger, eager to fulfill Rama’s wishes. The arrival of Sumanta, distinguished as the assembly itself, seemed a clear sign: surely, today, the king would anoint Rama as crown prince. With resolve, Rama said, “Well then, I shall go quickly and see the king. You remain here happily with your attendants and enjoy yourself.” Sita, honored and cherished by her husband, followed him to the door, uttering auspicious words. She praised the king, worthy to perform the royal consecration, surrounded by Brahmins, fit to install Rama just as the creator had installed Indra. Sita’s heart rejoiced at the thought of Rama, consecrated, observing sacred vows, pure, clad in splendid deer skin, and holding a deer’s horn. She invoked blessings: “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 with Sumanta. Emerging like a lion from a mountain cave, Rama saw Lakshmana at the door, standing with joined palms in reverence. As he entered the middle chamber, surrounded by friends, he greeted the gathered petitioners warmly. 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, dazzling the eyes with a brilliance rivaling Mount Meru. Drawn by excellent horses—swift as the wind, yoked with green steeds, resembling young elephants—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 Lakshmana, who held a decorated fan. Lakshmana, 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 joined Rama’s procession; warriors marched in front, adorned with sandalwood and aloe. Brave men bearing swords and bows went forward, full of hope. Sounds of instruments and praises from bards filled the air. Lion-like roars of heroes echoed along the road, while women, adorned and standing at palace windows, watched in admiration. The destroyer of foes, Rama, proceeded, showered with abundant flowers by the women. Flawless in every limb, he delighted them. Those in palaces and on the ground honored Rama with excellent words: “Surely your mother Kausalya rejoices, O delight of mothers.” They spoke of his successful journey and the attainment of the ancestral kingdom, and of Sita, foremost among noble women. The women regarded Sita, beloved to Rama’s heart, as the best among noble ladies, convinced that the queen must have performed great austerity in the past to attain such a union, as Rohini had with the moon. Thus, Rama heard sweet words spoken by women from palace towers as he proceeded along the royal road. Rāghava heard the conversations of the gathered people—various words expressing their own thoughts—from the joyful citizens of the city. “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. Everywhere were the finest fragrances, silks of linen and cotton, pearls unpierced, and exquisite crystals. He saw the splendid, unobstructed royal road, covered with various flowers and foods, both high and low. He beheld the 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. The crossroads were always worshipped with garlands of many kinds and fragrant scents. Rama heard many blessings spoken by his friends as he continued his glorious journey toward the king.