With great earnestness, Rama spoke to Sita, reminding her of the sacred duty that binds a wife to her husband. He explained that if a woman does not follow her husband, she invites misfortune upon herself, but by serving him faithfully, she attains the highest heaven. Even if one neglects to bow to the gods or ceases to worship them, a wife should still serve her husband, finding joy in what pleases and benefits him. This, Rama said, is the eternal duty of a woman, proclaimed in the Vedas and recognized in the world, ever observed in fire-rites and by the noble-minded in their devotion to the gods. He entreated her, “O Lady, for my sake, let the gods be worshipped and the Brāhmaṇas honored. Remain here, awaiting the time, longing for my return. If you remain steadfast, with regulated diet, devoted to serving your husband, you will obtain your highest desire when I return.” As Rama spoke these words, his eyes brimming with tears, Kausalya, his mother, was overcome with grief for her son. She addressed him, her voice trembling, “My mind cannot accept your departure, my child. O hero, surely the flow of time is unyielding and cannot be turned back. Go, my son, with single-mindedness—may you always be blessed, O noble one. When you return, I will be free from all fatigue. When you come back, having fulfilled your vow, accomplished your purpose, and discharged your duty to your father, I will sleep in supreme happiness.” She continued, “The path of death, my son, is always difficult to discern in this world. Whoever urges you, O Raghava, heed my words. Go now, mighty-armed one, and return safely; you will delight me, my son, with gentle and pleasing words. Perhaps now is the time when you will return from the forest, and I may see you, my child, wearing matted hair and bark garments.” With steadfast resolve, the queen saw Rama determined to dwell in the forest. She spoke auspicious words to him, wishing only for his welfare. At this point, the narrative turns to the next canto. Having calmed her distress and purified herself with clean water, Rama’s mother, thoughtful and composed, performed auspicious rites. She addressed Rama, “You cannot be restrained, O best of the Raghu lineage. Go now, return swiftly, and abide by the path of the virtuous. The dharma you uphold with affection and discipline, O tiger among the Raghus, may that dharma protect you.” She invoked blessings for his journey: “Those to whom you bow, my son, among the gods and in their temples, may they protect you in the forest, along with the great sages. The weapons given to you by the wise Vishvamitra—may they always protect you, for you are endowed with virtues. Through service to your father and mother, and by truth, O mighty-armed one, may you live long and be safeguarded.” Her prayers continued, “May the sacred fires, kusha grass, altars, shrines, the seats of Brahmins, mountains, trees, shrubs, lakes, birds, serpents, and lions protect you, O best among men. May the Sādhyas, the Viśvedevas, the Maruts with the great sages, and Dhātā, Vidhātā, Pūṣā, Bhaga, and Aryaman grant you auspiciousness. May all the guardians of the worlds, headed by Indra; the six seasons; the months; the years; and the nights protect you. May the days and the hours always bring you auspiciousness; may the Vedas, tradition, and dharma protect you everywhere, my son.” She invoked further protection: “May the divine Skanda, Soma, Brihaspati, the seven sages, and Narada protect you from all sides. May the perfected beings everywhere, the guardians of the directions, and the lords of the quarters, whom I have praised in that forest, always guard you, my son. May all the mountains, the oceans, King Varuna, the sky, the atmosphere, the earth, and the wind, with all that moves and is still, protect you. May all the stars, planets along with their deities, day and night, and the twilights, protect you as you dwell in the forest. May the six seasons, the months, the years, the divisions of time and moments, grant you happiness and well-being. Even as you wander in the great forest, dressed as a sage and wise, may the gods and the demons always bring you happiness.” Her love and concern poured forth: “May you, my son, never have fear of all the rakshasas, pisachas, fierce beings of cruel deeds, and flesh-eating creatures. May monkeys, scorpions, biting insects, mosquitoes, reptiles, and worms not trouble you in the dense forest. May great elephants, lions, tigers, bears with fangs, buffaloes with horns, and fierce beasts not harm you, my son. May those fierce creatures who eat human flesh and all other wild species, whom I have honored here, not injure you, my son. May auspicious omens come to you, may your endeavors succeed, and may all prosperity be yours, Rama; go forth safely, my son. May blessings be upon you again and again from the beings of the sky and the earth, and from all the gods, as well as from those who oppose you. May Shukra, Soma, Surya, Kubera, and Yama, whom I have worshipped, protect you, Rama, as you dwell in the Dandaka forest. May fire, wind, smoke, and the mantras uttered by the mouths of sages protect you, Raghunandana, at the time of ritual touch.” Thus, with garlands, divine fragrances, and fitting hymns, the illustrious Kausalya worshipped the hosts of gods, her eyes filled with reverence. A great-souled Brahmin, taking up the sacred fire, performed the ritual according to the prescribed method for Rama’s auspiciousness, invoking blessings for his journey into the forest.