As Rama prepared to depart for the forest, his mother Kausalya, her heart brimming with both love and anxiety, invoked a host of blessings to shield her beloved son. With deep reverence, she called upon the sacred fires, kusha grass, altars, shrines, the seats of Brahmins, mountains, trees, shrubs, lakes, birds, serpents, and lions, praying that all these might protect Rama, the best among men. She beseeched the Sadhyas, the Visvedevas, the Maruts accompanied by the great sages, as well as Dhata, Vidhata, Pusha, Bhaga, and Aryaman, to bestow auspiciousness upon him. She invoked the guardians of the worlds, led by Indra, and the six seasons, months, years, and nights, asking for their protection. With a mother’s care, she wished that every day and every hour would bring Rama goodness, and that the Vedas, tradition, and dharma would safeguard him wherever he went. Kausalya called upon divine Skanda, Soma, Brihaspati, the seven sages, and Narada to protect Rama from every side. She invoked the perfected beings, the guardians of the directions, and the lords of the quarters—those whom she had praised in the forest—to ever watch over her son. She prayed that all the mountains, oceans, King Varuna, the sky, the atmosphere, the earth, and the wind, together with all moving and unmoving things, would be his protectors. She continued her invocations, calling for the stars, planets and their deities, day and night, and the twilights to guard Rama as he dwelt in the forest. She asked that the six seasons, months, years, and all divisions of time bring him happiness and well-being. Even as he wandered the great forest, dressed as a sage and wise, she prayed that gods and demons alike would bring him happiness. With a trembling heart, she wished that Rama would never know fear from rakshasas, pisachas, fierce beings of cruel deeds, or flesh-eating creatures. She prayed that monkeys, scorpions, biting insects, mosquitoes, reptiles, and worms would not trouble him in the dense woods. She asked that great elephants, lions, tigers, fanged bears, buffaloes with horns, and all fierce beasts would do him no harm. She extended her blessings further, hoping that all those wild creatures who eat human flesh, and every other wild species she had honored, would not injure her son. She wished for auspicious omens, success in all his undertakings, and every prosperity for Rama, urging him to go forth safely. She invoked blessings from the beings of both sky and earth, from all the gods, and even from those who might oppose him. Kausalya called upon Shukra, Soma, Surya, Kubera, and Yama—deities she had worshipped—to protect Rama as he journeyed through the Dandaka forest. She prayed that fire, wind, smoke, and the mantras uttered by sages would shield him at every ritual touch. With garlands, divine fragrances, and sacred hymns, Kausalya, her eyes filled with devotion, worshipped the hosts of gods. A great Brahmin, taking up the sacred fire, performed the ritual for Rama’s well-being according to the prescribed method. Kausalya herself prepared ghee, pure white garlands, sacred fuel, and mustard seeds for the offering. The preceptor, following the rites for peace and health, completed the external oblation with the remaining sacrificial materials. With honey, curds, clarified butter, and auspicious words, the Brahmins were invited to recite blessings for Rama’s safe journey into the forest. When the rites were completed, Kausalya offered the chief Brahmin a fitting fee, and then spoke to Rama, her voice filled with hope and prayer. She wished upon him the same blessing that once arose for Indra, the thousand-eyed, at the slaying of Vritra; the blessing Vinata bestowed upon Suparna when he sought the nectar; the blessing Aditi gave to the wielder of the thunderbolt as he struck down the demons at the birth of nectar; and the blessing present when Vishnu of incomparable brilliance took his three great strides. She prayed that the seers, the oceans, the islands, the Vedas, the worlds, and all the directions would bestow their auspicious blessings on her mighty-armed son. Having completed all the rites for her son, the radiant Kausalya anointed Rama with fragrant substances. She performed a protective rite for him with well-prepared, healing, and auspicious herbs, reciting mantras over him. Though her heart was heavy with sorrow, she spoke as if delighted, her words conveying only what she wished to say, not the grief she felt within. She bowed to Rama, smelled his head, and embraced him tightly. With eyes brimming with tears but words full of hope, the illustrious mother said, “Go, Rama. May you attain your desire and travel happily. May I see you, my child, returned to Ayodhya, healthy and fulfilled in all your aims, walking again the royal paths. Freed from all sorrow, my face shining with joy, I shall see you returned from the forest, like the full moon newly risen. I shall see you again, Rama, seated on an auspicious throne, returned from the forest, having fulfilled your father’s command. Having returned, endowed with blessings, always fulfill the wishes of my daughter-in-law, and go forth, my son. May the hosts of gods led by Shiva, the great sages, beings, and celestial serpents whom I have worshipped, and the directions themselves, wish you well as you set out for the forest, O Raghava.” Her eyes overflowing with tears, Kausalya completed the blessings according to the sacred rites. She circumambulated Rama, again and again embracing him, her gaze lingering on her beloved son. Rama, having been circumambulated by his mother, bowed repeatedly and pressed her feet, honoring her deeply. Radiant with her blessings, Rama then departed for Sita’s dwelling, carrying with him the love and prayers of his mother.