Kausalya, Rama’s revered mother, stood before her son as he prepared to depart for the forest. Her heart overflowed with both love and concern, and she invoked blessings to protect him from all harm. She prayed that mighty elephants, lions, tigers, bears with sharp fangs, buffaloes with fierce horns, and all wild beasts would not trouble him. She extended her prayers even to those fearsome creatures that prey upon human flesh and other wild beings—those whom she had honored with offerings—asking that none would injure her beloved child. With a trembling voice, she wished auspicious omens upon Rama, praying for the success of his endeavors and all prosperity to follow him. She called for blessings from the beings of the sky and earth, from all the gods, and even from those who might oppose him, so that he would go forth safely. Kausalya invoked the protection of Shukra, Soma, Surya, Kubera, and Yama—deities she had worshipped—to watch over Rama as he dwelled in the Dandaka forest. She asked for the guardianship of fire, wind, smoke, and the sacred mantras spoken by sages to shield him during ritual touch. With deep reverence, Kausalya adorned the hosts of gods with garlands, divine fragrances, and fitting hymns, her eyes shining with devotion. The chief Brahmin, holding the sacred fire, performed the ritual as prescribed for Rama’s auspiciousness. Kausalya herself prepared offerings of ghee, white garlands, sacred fuel, and mustard seeds for the ceremony. The preceptor completed the rites for peace and health, arranging the external oblation with the remaining sacred materials. Then, with honey, curds, clarified butter, and auspicious words, he had the Brahmins recite blessings for Rama’s safe journey into the forest. After the rituals, Rama’s illustrious mother gave the chief Brahmin a desired fee and spoke to Rama, her voice filled with hope: “May the blessing that came to Indra, the thousand-eyed, revered by all 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 that was present when Vishnu of incomparable brilliance took his three great strides, O Rama, become your blessing. May the seers, oceans, islands, Vedas, worlds, and directions, O mighty-armed one, bestow upon you auspicious blessings.” Having completed the remaining rites for her son, Kausalya, radiant and loving, anointed Rama with fragrant substances. She performed a protective ceremony using healing and auspicious herbs, chanting mantras over him. Though sorrow weighed heavily upon her heart, she spoke as if delighted, her words expressing only what she wished to convey, not the pain within. Bowing, smelling Rama’s head, and embracing him tightly, Kausalya 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 aims, walking again the royal paths. Freed from sorrowful thoughts, 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 from the forest, endowed with blessings, always fulfill the wishes of my daughter-in-law, and go forth, my son. 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 according to the rites, circumambulated Rama, and embraced him again and again, gazing upon him with longing. Rama, having been circumambulated by his mother, repeatedly bowed and pressed her feet, then, radiant with her glory, went to Sita’s dwelling. Thus concludes the twenty-fifth chapter in the Ayodhyākāṇḍa of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa. Having bowed to Kausalya, Rama, steadfast in righteousness and duty, took leave of his mother and prepared to depart for the forest. As he moved along the royal road, thronged with citizens, his virtues stirred the hearts of all who beheld him. Meanwhile, Sita, devoted to austerity, heard none of the commotion. Her heart remained fixed on the impending consecration for Rama’s heir-apparency. Having performed her divine duties with gratitude and joy, the princess—well-versed in royal conduct—awaited the outcome. Rama entered his own splendidly adorned house, filled with delighted people, his face lowered slightly out of modesty. Sita, rising and trembling, saw her husband afflicted with sorrow, his senses disturbed by anxious thoughts. Seeing her, Rama could not contain the grief in his heart and became visibly distraught. Observing him, pale-faced and sweating but free from resentment, Sita, tormented by sorrow, asked, “What is this now, my lord? Today, the auspicious day of Brihaspati joined with Pushya, is declared by learned Brahmins, O Raghava; why are you troubled in mind? Your charming face, usually shaded by a hundred-ribbed white umbrella like sea-foam, does not shine forth today. Nor is your lotus-eyed face fanned by the two chief fly-whisks, bright as the moon and swan, as is customary.” Thus, the story unfolds, with Sita perceiving the sorrow in Rama’s heart, and the blessings of his mother accompanying him as he prepares to fulfill his duty.