Even if a woman does not bow to the gods or has ceased worshipping them, she should still serve her husband devotedly, finding joy in what pleases and benefits him. This, O noble lady, is the eternal duty of a wife, as declared in the Vedas and upheld in the world, always observed in sacred fire-rites and by the noble-minded toward the gods. Rama continued, “For my sake, let the gods be worshipped and the Brahmanas honored; thus, wait for the time, longing for my return. Steadfast in your vows, with regulated diet, and devoted to your husband’s service, you will indeed attain your highest desire when I come back.” As Rama, best among the righteous, spoke thus, her eyes brimmed with tears. Kausalya, his mother, overwhelmed with sorrow at the thought of separation from her son, replied, “My mind cannot accept your departure, my child. O hero, time is indeed 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, O illustrious one, come back having fulfilled your vow and accomplished your purpose, and having discharged your duty to your father, I will sleep in supreme happiness. 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.” Thus, the queen, resolute in mind, saw Rama determined to dwell in the forest. She spoke auspicious words to Rama, who possessed noble qualities, and became wholly desirous of his welfare. Now, listen to the next canto. Having calmed her distress and purified herself with sacred water, Rama’s mother, thoughtful and composed, performed auspicious rites. “You cannot be restrained, O best of the Raghu lineage,” she said. “Go now, and return swiftly, abiding by the path of the virtuous. The dharma you uphold with affection and discipline, O tiger among the Raghus, may that very dharma protect you. 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 shield you, endowed as you are with virtues. Through service to your father, and likewise to your mother, and by truth, O mighty-armed one, may you live long and be safeguarded. May the sacred fires, kusha grass, altars, shrines, the seats of the 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. 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. 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, the illustrious Kausalya, with garlands, divine fragrances, and fitting hymns, worshipped the hosts of gods, her eyes filled with reverence. Taking up the sacred fire, the great-souled Brahmin performed the ritual according to the prescribed method for Rama’s auspiciousness. Kausalya, foremost among women, prepared clarified butter, white garlands, sacred fuel, and mustard seeds for the offering, seeking every blessing for her beloved son.