With unwavering resolve, Queen Kausalya beheld Rama, her noble-hearted son, steadfast in his decision to dwell in the forest. Though her heart was heavy, she spoke to him with auspicious words, her every utterance filled with longing for his welfare. Having composed herself and touched pure water to dispel her distress, Rama’s mother, thoughtful and devoted, began to perform sacred rites for his well-being. “My son,” she said, “none can restrain you, O best of the Raghus. Go now as you must, but return swiftly, ever following the path of the virtuous. The dharma you uphold with such affection and discipline—may that very dharma protect you, O tiger among the Raghus. “Those deities before whom you bow in temples and shrines, may they watch over you in the forest, together with the great sages. The weapons bestowed upon you by the wise Vishvamitra—may they always guard you, for you are adorned with every virtue. By your service to your father and mother, and by your steadfast truth, O mighty-armed one, may you enjoy a long and protected life. “May the sacred fires, the kusha grass, the altars and shrines, the seats of the Brahmins, the mountains, trees, shrubs, lakes, birds, serpents, and lions—may all these, O best among men, shield you from harm. May the Sādhyas, the Viśvedevas, the Maruts, the great sages, Dhātā, Vidhātā, Pūṣā, Bhaga, and Aryaman grant you every auspiciousness. “Let 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 the hours always bring you good fortune. May the Vedas, tradition, and dharma guard you everywhere, my son. May Skanda, Soma, Brihaspati, the seven sages, and Narada protect you on all sides. “May the perfected beings, the guardians of the directions, and the lords of the quarters, whom I have praised, always watch over you in the forest. Let 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, keep you safe as you dwell in the forest. “May the six seasons, the months, the years, and every division of time bring you happiness and well-being. Even as you wander in the great forest, dressed as a sage and wise, may both gods and demons bring you happiness. May you, my son, never know fear from the rakshasas, pisachas, fierce beings of cruel deeds, or flesh-eating creatures. May monkeys, scorpions, biting insects, mosquitoes, reptiles, and worms not trouble you in the dense woods. May mighty elephants, lions, tigers, bears, buffaloes, and fierce beasts not harm you. “May those dreadful beings who feed on human flesh, and all wild creatures whom I have honored, not injure you, my son. May omens be auspicious for you, may your endeavors succeed, and may all prosperity be yours, Rama. Go forth safely, my child. May blessings rain upon you again and again from beings of the sky and earth, from all the gods, and even from those who may 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 the sages’ lips shield you, O Raghunandana, at the time of sacred touch.” Having thus invoked blessings, Kausalya, her eyes filled with reverence, worshipped the hosts of gods with garlands, divine fragrances, and fitting hymns. The chief Brahmin, taking the sacred fire, performed the ritual for Rama’s auspiciousness according to the prescribed method. Kausalya herself prepared ghee, white garlands, sacred fuel, and mustard seeds for the offering. With the rite for peace and health completed, the priest arranged the external oblation with the remaining sacrificial materials. Then, with honey, curds, clarified butter, and auspicious words, he had the assembled Brahmins recite blessings for Rama’s safe journey into the forest. Thereafter, Kausalya gave the chief Brahmin a worthy gift and addressed Rama, saying: “May the blessing that arose for thousand-eyed Indra, revered by all gods, at the slaying of Vritra, be yours. May the blessing Vinatā bestowed upon Suparṇa when he sought the nectar be yours. May the blessing Aditi gave to the wielder of the thunderbolt as he struck down the demons at the birth of nectar be yours. May the blessing present when Vishnu took his three great strides, O Rama, be yours. May the seers, the oceans, the islands, the Vedas, the worlds, and the directions bestow upon you every auspicious blessing, O mighty-armed one.” Having completed all the remaining rites for her son, the radiant Kausalya anointed Rama of broad eyes with fragrant substances. She performed a protective rite for him with well-prepared, healing, and auspicious herbs, reciting sacred mantras over him. Though her heart was overwhelmed with sorrow, Kausalya spoke as if delighted, her words expressing only what was proper, concealing the true depth of her feelings within.