As thoughts of her son filled her heart, Queen Kausalya wondered if perhaps the time had come when Rama would return from the forest, and she might once again behold him—her beloved child, clad in matted hair and bark garments. Yet, seeing Rama resolute in his decision to dwell in the forest, the queen, steadfast in purpose, spoke auspicious words to him. Her heart brimmed with noble intentions, and she longed for his welfare above all. Now, listen to the twenty-fifth canto. Having calmed her sorrow and touched pure, sanctifying water, Rama’s mother, composed and thoughtful, performed auspicious rites for her son. She addressed him with deep love and wisdom: “O best of the Raghu lineage, you cannot be restrained. Go now, and return swiftly. Abide always by the path of the virtuous. The dharma you cherish, upheld with affection and discipline, O tiger among the Raghus, may that very dharma protect you. “To those gods and in their temples, to whom you bow, my son, may they guard you in the forest, along with the great sages. The weapons bestowed upon you by the wise Vishvamitra—may they always shield 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. “May the sacred fires, kusha grass, altars, shrines, seats of the Brahmins, mountains, trees, shrubs, lakes, birds, serpents, and lions—may all these 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 auspiciousness. May the Vedas, tradition, and dharma guard 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 watch over 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 shield you as you dwell in the forest. May the six seasons, months, years, divisions of time and moments grant you happiness and well-being. “Even as you wander in the great forest, wise and dressed as a sage, may the gods and demons always bring you happiness. May you, my son, never know fear from 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. 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 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 shield you, Raghunandana, at the time of ritual touch.” With garlands, divine fragrances, and fitting hymns, the illustrious Kausalya worshipped the hosts of gods, her eyes filled with reverence. The chief Brahmin took the sacred fire and, following the prescribed methods, performed the ritual for Rama’s auspiciousness. Kausalya herself prepared ghee, white garlands, sacred fuel, and mustard seeds for the offering. The preceptor, having completed the rites for peace and health, arranged the external oblation with the remainder of the sacrificial materials. Then, with honey, curds, clarified butter, and auspicious words, he had the brahmins recite blessings for Rama’s safe journey into the forest. Afterward, Rama’s illustrious mother gave the chief of the brahmins a desired fee, and spoke to Raghava: “May the blessing that arose for thousand-eyed Indra, revered by all the gods at the slaying of Vṛtra, become your blessing. May the blessing Vinatā bestowed upon Suparṇa when he sought the nectar become your blessing. May the blessing 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 present when Viṣṇu, 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 the remaining rites for her son, the radiant lady anointed Rama of broad eyes with fragrant substances. Kausalya performed a protective rite for Rama, using well-prepared, healing, and auspicious herbs, reciting sacred mantras over him, her heart overflowing with love and devotion.