With a heart full of love and concern, Queen Kausalya offered her blessings to her son, Rama, as he prepared to depart for the forest. She invoked the protection of the perfected beings who dwell everywhere, the guardians of the directions, and the lords of the quarters—those very deities she had praised in the forest—praying that they would always watch over him. She called upon the mountains and the oceans, King Varuna, the sky and the atmosphere, the earth and the wind, and all things that move and are still, to shield her beloved son. She entreated the stars and planets, along with their presiding deities, and even day, night, and the twilights, to safeguard Rama as he made his home amidst the trees. She invoked the six seasons, the months and years, and every division and moment of time, asking that they grant him happiness and well-being. As he wandered the great forest, clad in the simple garb of a sage, she prayed that gods and demons alike would bring him joy. With the deepest maternal care, she wished that Rama would never know fear, not even from the 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 sought protection for him from great elephants, lions, tigers, fanged bears, horned buffaloes, and all fierce beasts, that none might harm him. Kausalya remembered even the most fearsome forest-dwellers—those who eat human flesh and other wild species—whom she had honored in her prayers, beseeching that they too would not injure her son. She wished that auspicious omens would always come to him, that his every endeavor would succeed, and that all prosperity might be his. "Go forth safely, my son," she said, her voice gentle and firm. She invoked blessings again and again, from beings of the sky and earth, from all the gods, and even from those who might oppose him. She named Shukra, Soma, Surya, Kubera, and Yama—deities she had worshipped—asking that they protect Rama as he dwelled in the Dandaka forest. She called upon fire, wind, smoke, and the sacred mantras uttered by the sages, that they might guard him during every ritual touch. With garlands, divine fragrances, and fitting hymns, Kausalya, her eyes brimming with reverence, worshipped the hosts of gods. The family’s chief Brahmin took up the sacred fire and performed the prescribed rituals for Rama's well-being. Kausalya herself prepared ghee, pure white garlands, sacred fuel, and mustard seeds for the offering. The preceptor, having performed the rites for peace and health, arranged 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. When the rituals were complete, Kausalya, ever generous, gave the chief Brahmin the fee he desired and spoke to her son with a voice full of hope and love: "May the blessing that arose for Indra, the thousand-eyed, revered by all the gods, when he slew Vritra, be yours, my son. May the blessing Vinata bestowed upon Suparna, when he sought the nectar, come to you. 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 of incomparable brilliance took his three great strides, O Rama, be yours. 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 son, the radiant Kausalya anointed Rama, whose eyes were broad and beautiful, with fragrant substances. She performed a protective rite for him, using well-prepared, healing, and auspicious herbs, reciting sacred mantras all the while. Though her heart was heavy with sorrow, her words came forth as if she were delighted, expressing only what was required, not betraying the pain within. She bowed to Rama, lovingly smelled his head, and embraced him tightly. "Go, Rama," she said, her voice trembling with emotion, "may you attain your desire and travel happily. May I see you, my child, returned to Ayodhya, healthy and fulfilled in all your aims, once again walking 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 upon an auspicious throne, having fulfilled your father’s command. Having returned from the forest, 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—may they, and the directions, wish you well as you set out for the forest, O Raghava." Her eyes overflowing with tears, Kausalya completed the blessings as prescribed by tradition. She circumambulated Rama, embracing him again and again, her gaze never leaving his face. Rama, having been circumambulated by his mother, bowed repeatedly and pressed her feet in reverence. Radiant with the glory of her blessings, he departed for Sita’s dwelling. Thus concludes the twenty-sixth chapter of the Ayodhyākāṇḍa in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa. Having bowed to Kausalya, Rama, steadfast in righteousness and determined to fulfill his duty, took leave of his mother and stood firm upon the path he had chosen. As he moved along the royal road, shining with his noble virtues, he stirred the hearts of the citizens who witnessed his departure. Meanwhile, Sita, the devoted Vaidehi, remained unaware of the events unfolding in the city; her mind was fixed only on the impending consecration for the heir-apparency. Having performed her divine duties, with gratitude and a joyful mind, the princess—well-versed in royal conduct—awaited the outcome, her heart full of hope and devotion.