Rama, preparing to depart for the forest, gently addressed Sita, reminding her of the eternal duty of a woman as declared in the Vedas and upheld by noble souls in sacred rites and in their worship of the gods. He urged her, for his sake, to worship the deities and honor the Brahmanas, patiently awaiting his return with longing. Rama advised Sita to remain steadfast, to regulate her diet, and to devote herself to serving her husband, assuring her that, upon his return, she would attain her highest desire. As Rama thus spoke—his words full of righteous resolve—Kausalya, his mother, stood before him, her eyes brimming with tears. Overwhelmed by sorrow at the thought of separation from her son, Kausalya confessed that her heart could not accept his departure. Yet, bowing to the unyielding force of time, she blessed him, urging him to go forth with single-mindedness, wishing him constant well-being. She confided that only upon his return, having fulfilled his vow and duty to his father, would she find rest and supreme happiness. She reminded Rama that the path of death is hidden and uncertain in this world, and implored him to heed her words above all others. With deep affection, she bade him go and return safely, longing for the day when he would gladden her heart with gentle words. She imagined the moment of his homecoming, picturing him clad in matted locks and bark garments, and spoke auspicious words, her heart set on his welfare, as she witnessed his unwavering resolve to dwell in the forest. Having composed herself and purified her mind with pure water, Kausalya, thoughtful and wise, performed auspicious rites for Rama. She acknowledged that Rama could not be restrained, and so she entreated him to go swiftly and to walk always on the path of virtue. She prayed that the very dharma he cherished with such affection and discipline would be his protection. Kausalya invoked blessings upon her son, beseeching the gods whom he honored in temples to watch over him in the forest, along with the great sages. She prayed that the weapons given to Rama by the wise Vishvamitra would always protect him. She wished him a long life, safeguarded by his service to his father and mother, and by his unwavering truthfulness. She called upon the sacred fires, kusha grass, altars, shrines, the seats of Brahmins, mountains, trees, shrubs, lakes, birds, serpents, and lions to protect Rama. She invoked the Sādhyas, the Viśvedevas, the Maruts with the great sages, and deities such as Dhātā, Vidhātā, Pūṣā, Bhaga, and Aryaman to grant him auspiciousness. She prayed to all the guardians of the worlds, headed by Indra, as well as the six seasons, months, years, and nights, to watch over him. Kausalya wished that days and hours would always bring Rama auspiciousness, and that the Vedas, tradition, and dharma would protect him everywhere. She invoked the blessings of Skanda, Soma, Brihaspati, the seven sages, and Narada for his protection from all sides. She called upon the perfected beings, guardians of the directions, and lords of the quarters, whom she had praised in the forest, to always guard her son. She prayed that all the mountains, oceans, King Varuna, the sky, the atmosphere, the earth, and the wind, along with all things that move and are still, would protect Rama. She invoked the stars, planets and their deities, day and night, and the twilights to shield him as he dwelled in the forest. She asked the six seasons, months, years, and divisions of time to grant him happiness and well-being. Even as Rama wandered in the great forest, dressed as a sage and wise, Kausalya prayed that the gods and demons alike would bring him happiness. She wished that he would never fear the rakshasas, pisachas, fierce and cruel beings, or flesh-eating creatures. She asked that monkeys, scorpions, biting insects, mosquitoes, reptiles, and worms would not trouble him in the dense forest. She prayed that great elephants, lions, tigers, bears, buffaloes, and other fierce beasts would not harm him, nor would any wild, flesh-eating creatures injure him. Kausalya wished for auspicious omens, the success of all Rama’s endeavors, and every prosperity for her son as he set forth. She invoked blessings from beings of the sky and the earth, from all the gods, and even from those who might oppose him. She prayed that Shukra, Soma, Surya, Kubera, and Yama, whom she had worshipped, would protect Rama in the Dandaka forest. She invoked fire, wind, smoke, and the mantras uttered by sages to guard him during rituals. Thus, with garlands, divine fragrances, and fitting hymns, Kausalya worshipped the hosts of gods, her eyes filled with reverence. The family preceptor, taking the sacred fire, performed the ritual in the prescribed manner for Rama’s well-being. Kausalya, foremost among women, prepared clarified butter, white garlands, sacred fuel, and mustard seeds for the offering. The great-souled Brahmin then completed the offering for peace and health, arranging the external oblation with the remaining sacrificial materials, all for the auspicious journey of Rama.