A magnificent chariot thundered forth, resplendent with jewels and gold, its brilliance rivaling Mount Meru and dazzling all who beheld it. Drawn by exceptional horses, green and swift as the wind, their strength likened to young elephants, the chariot seemed as glorious as that of Indra, the thousand-eyed lord. Rāghava, radiant with splendor, mounted the chariot quickly and departed, his presence echoing like a rain cloud rolling across the sky. The illustrious prince left his residence like the moon emerging from great clouds, attended by his devoted brother Lakṣmaṇa, who held a beautifully decorated fan. Lakṣmaṇa climbed onto the chariot behind Rāma, protecting him, and a tumultuous sound arose as they set out. Crowds gathered all around as they departed; mighty horses and elephants, immense as mountains, followed in their wake. Hundreds and thousands of people joined Rāma’s procession, while warriors adorned with sandalwood and aloe marched ahead. Brave men, bearing swords and bows, moved forward with hope in their hearts, their progress accompanied by the sounds of instruments and songs of praise from bards. Along the road, lion-like roars of heroes resounded, and women, adorned and standing at palace windows, watched from all around. Rāma, the destroyer of foes, proceeded, showered with abundant flowers by these women, delighting them with his flawless form. From palaces and from the ground, people honored Rāma with excellent words: “Surely your mother Kausalyā rejoices, O delight of mothers.” They spoke of his successful journey toward the ancestral kingdom, and of Sītā, the foremost among noble women, who stood 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 austerities in the past to attain such union. Sītā’s companionship with Rāma was likened to Rohiṇī’s with the moon. As Rāma 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 own thoughts. “Today Rāghava attains prosperity, about to receive abundant royal favor; we will have every fulfilled desire, for he will be our ruler,” they said. “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, elephants, auspicious bards and heralds, and 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. Let the seventeenth chapter be heard. Rāma, surrounded by joyful friends, mounted the chariot adorned with banners and flags, perfumed with costly incense. The illustrious prince gazed upon the city, teeming with people, its houses shining pale like clouds. He proceeded along the royal road, its center scented with incense and lined with heaps of sandalwood and aloe. There, the finest fragrances mingled with silks of linen and cotton, unpierced pearls, and exquisite crystals. Rāma saw the splendid, unobstructed royal road, covered with various flowers and foods, both high and low. The road was adorned with offerings of curd, rice, barley, and incense of aloe and sandalwood, as if the lord of the gods himself were in heaven. Crossroads were worshipped with garlands of many kinds and fragrant scents, and Rāma heard many blessings spoken by his friends. He honored all the people as was proper, proceeding as his ancestors and forefathers had done. The people called out, “Today, once you are consecrated, protect this path, as we were nurtured by your father and all the forefathers; then, with Rāma as king, we will live most happily.” “We have no need now for food or great wealth; if we see Rāma established in the kingdom, that is enough for us. Nothing will ever be dearer to us than the consecration of Rāma, whose splendor is boundless, as king.” Hearing these and other auspicious words from friends and well-wishers, which honored him, Rāma proceeded along the great highway. No one could withdraw their mind or eyes from that foremost man, even as Rāma passed by. Whoever did not see Rāma, or whom Rāma did not see, was scorned by all people, and even his own self despised him. That righteous one showed compassion to all classes and ages; therefore, all followed him. With mansions pale as clouds, adorned with jeweled lattices and rising up as if to cover the sky, Rāma entered the foremost house on earth, rivaling the palace of Indra—his father’s residence—shining with splendor. Passing through three courtyards guarded by archers and horses, the best of men crossed two more courtyards on foot. Having passed through all the courtyards, the son of Dasharatha dismissed all the people and entered the pure inner chambers. When he entered his father’s presence, all the people, delighted with the prince, waited for his return, as the ocean waits for the moon’s rising.