As Rama stood before his mother, Kausalya, his words urging her to preserve her life echoed in the chamber. Her eyes overflowed with tears, grief-stricken at the thought of her son’s departure. She spoke with trembling voice, “My mind cannot accept your leaving, my child.” Yet, recognizing the force of destiny and the unyielding march of time, Kausalya composed herself. “O hero, the time cannot be turned back. Go, my son, with a resolute heart—may you always be blessed, O noble one.” She continued, her sorrow mingled with hope, “When you return, my fatigue will vanish. When you come back, illustrious one, having fulfilled your vow, accomplished your purpose, and discharged your duty to your father, I will sleep in supreme happiness.” With words of caution, she said, “The path of death is difficult to discern in this world; whoever urges you, O Raghava, heed my words.” Gathering her strength, Kausalya blessed Rama, “Go now, mighty-armed one, and return safely. You will delight me, my son, with gentle and pleasing words.” She imagined the day he would return from the forest, clad in matted hair and bark garments, and her heart longed for that sight. With unwavering resolve, the queen spoke auspicious words to Rama, wishing for his welfare as he prepared to dwell in the forest. After dispelling her distress, Kausalya touched pure water and, with thoughtful mind, 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 prayed earnestly, “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 guard you, 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 blessings extended to all corners of creation: “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, 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.” She invoked the blessings of time itself, “May the days and 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, always guard you, my son.” Her prayers encompassed the elements and celestial bodies: “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 with their deities, day and night, and the twilights, protect you as you dwell in the forest. May the six seasons, months, years, and divisions of time grant you happiness and well-being.” She wished peace from all beings, “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 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, not injure you.” With heartfelt wishes, she said, “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, from all the gods, and from those who oppose you. May Shukra, Soma, Surya, Kubera, and Yama, whom I have worshipped, protect you as you dwell in the Dandaka forest. May fire, wind, smoke, and the mantras uttered by sages protect you, Raghunandana, at the time of ritual touch.” Kausalya, radiant with devotion, adorned herself with garlands, divine fragrances, and fitting hymns as she worshipped the hosts of gods, her eyes filled with reverence. The chief Brahmin then performed the ritual for Rama’s auspiciousness, following the prescribed methods, with the sacred fire. Kausalya prepared ghee, white garlands, sacred fuel, and mustard seeds for the offering. The preceptor performed the rite for peace and health, arranging the external oblation with the remaining sacrificial materials. With honey, curds, clarified butter, and auspicious words, he had the Brahmins recite blessings for Rama’s safe journey into the forest. After the rituals, Rama’s illustrious mother gave the chief Brahmin a desired fee and spoke to Raghava, “May that blessing which arose for the thousand-eyed Indra, revered by all the gods, at the slaying of Vritra, become your blessing.” Thus, with love, prayers, and sacred rites, Kausalya sent her son forth, enveloped in the protective embrace of her blessings and the grace of the divine.