With a heart full of love and resolve, Queen Kausalya gazed upon her mighty-armed son, Rama. She spoke to him with gentle affection, “Go now, my son, and return safely. You will delight me with your gentle and pleasing words when you come back. Perhaps the time will come when I shall see you again, returning from the forest, clad in matted hair and bark garments, my child.” Though her heart ached, Kausalya saw Rama’s unwavering determination to fulfill his exile in the forest. With great composure, she addressed Rama, who was adorned with noble virtues, offering him auspicious words and expressing her deep desire for his welfare. Having composed herself and performed her ablutions with pure water, Rama’s mother, thoughtful and steadfast, began to perform auspicious rites for his well-being. She spoke to Rama with warmth and dignity, “O best of the Raghu lineage, you cannot be restrained. Go now, return swiftly, and always walk the path of virtue. The dharma you uphold with both affection and discipline—may that very dharma protect you, O tiger among the Raghus. “All those to whom you bow, my son, among the gods and in their temples, may they watch over you in the forest, together with the great sages. The weapons given to you by the wise sage Vishvamitra—may they ever protect you, endowed as you are with virtues. Through your devoted service to your father and mother, and by your unwavering truth, may you, O mighty-armed one, live long and be safeguarded. “May the sacred fires, the kusha grass, the altars, shrines, the seats of the Brahmins, the mountains, trees, shrubs, lakes, birds, serpents, and lions all 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, led by Indra, the six seasons, the months, the years, and the nights protect you. “May the days and hours always bring you good fortune. May the Vedas, tradition, and dharma shield 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 and 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. “As you wander in the great forest, wise and dressed as a sage, may the gods and the demons always bring you happiness. May you, my son, never have fear of 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 consume 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, from all the gods, and even 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.” With deep devotion, Kausalya adorned herself with garlands, divine fragrances, and sang fitting hymns, her eyes brimming with reverence as she worshipped the hosts of gods. The chief Brahmin then took up the sacred fire and, following the prescribed rites, performed rituals for Rama’s auspiciousness. Kausalya, foremost among women, prepared ghee, white garlands, sacred fuel, and mustard seeds for the offering. The venerable preceptor, having completed the rituals for peace and health, finished the external oblation with the remaining sacrificial materials. With honey, curds, clarified butter, and auspicious words, he led the Brahmins in reciting blessings for Rama’s safe journey into the forest. Afterwards, Rama’s illustrious mother presented the chief Brahmin with a worthy fee and spoke to Rama, “May the blessing that arose for thousand-eyed Indra, revered by all the gods at the slaying of Vritra, become your blessing. May the blessing that Vinata once bestowed upon Suparna when he sought the nectar become your blessing. May the blessing that Aditi gave to the wielder of the thunderbolt, as he struck down the demons at the birth of nectar, become your blessing. May the blessing that was present when Vishnu of incomparable brilliance took his three great strides, O Rama, become your blessing. May the seers, the oceans, the islands, the Vedas, the worlds, and the directions, O mighty-armed one, bestow upon you auspicious blessings.” Having completed all the remaining rites for her beloved son, the radiant Kausalya, with fragrant substances, anointed Rama of the broad eyes, sending him forth with all the blessings a mother’s heart could bestow.