As Rama approached his father with joined palms, King Dasharatha—distressed and surrounded by the palace women—rose swiftly from his seat. Overcome by sorrow at the sight of his beloved son, the lord of men hurried toward Rama, but grief overwhelmed him so deeply that he collapsed to the ground, unconscious. Rama and the mighty Lakshmana rushed to his side, finding the king senseless and afflicted by anguish. A tumult erupted throughout the palace, as thousands of women cried out, “Alas, Rama!” Their lamentations mingled with the clatter of ornaments, filling the halls with sorrow. Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita gently embraced Dasharatha, lifting him and placing him, weeping, upon the couch. After a moment, the king regained consciousness. Rama, his palms joined and his heart submerged in an ocean of tears and grief, addressed his father: “Great king, lord of us all, I take leave of you as I depart for the Dandaka forest. May you see me safe. Please grant permission to Lakshmana, and let Sita follow me; though restrained by many true reasons, they do not wish to stay. Grant permission to all of us, O giver of honor—Lakshmana, myself, and Sita—as the Lord of creatures does for his children, casting off your grief.” Rama waited for the king’s untroubled consent, gazing at him as Dasharatha spoke of his dwelling in the forest. “O Raghava, deluded by Kaikeyi’s boon, I am bound. You alone today should be king in Ayodhya, restraining me.” Rama, best of the righteous, made obeisance and replied skillfully, “You, O king, should rule the earth for a thousand years. I desire no kingdom; I will dwell in the forest. After fourteen years, I will again clasp your feet, O lord of men, at the end of my vow.” Weeping and distressed, the king, bound by the fetter of truth and urged by Kaikeyi, spoke to his beloved son: “For your welfare, growth, and return, dear child, go without anxiety on a safe and unobstructed path. Indeed, O delight of the Raghus, it is not possible to turn back the resolve of one such as you, whose mind is set on truth and righteousness. But now, my son, do not go tonight under any circumstances; let me spend at least this one day in your presence.” Dasharatha continued, “What you are doing, beloved Raghava, is truly difficult; for my sake, you have taken up the forest life in this way. But this does not please me, my son—by truth I swear, O Raghava; I have been deceived by a woman as destructive as fire covered in ashes. The deception that has befallen me, you wish to overcome, being urged by Kaikeyi, who is steadfast in her resolve but unrighteous in conduct. Nor is it most astonishing, my son, that you, my eldest, wish to keep your father free from falsehood.” Hearing his father’s words, Rama spoke sorrowfully to Lakshmana: “What virtues will I gain today, and who will grant them to me tomorrow? Therefore, I choose only to depart, renouncing all desires. This earth, with its provinces, people, wealth, and grain, I relinquish; let it be given to Bharata. My resolve to dwell in the forest will not waver today; the boon you granted to Kaikeyi in battle, O bestower of boons, must be fulfilled. Let it be given in full—be true to your word, O king; I will carry out your command exactly as spoken. I will dwell in the forest for fourteen years with the forest-dwellers; do not hesitate—let the earth be given to Bharata. I do not desire the kingdom, nor happiness, nor anything dear to myself, as much as I wish to carry out your command, O delight of the Raghus.” Rama urged his father, “Let your sorrow depart, do not be overwhelmed with tears; the mighty ocean, lord of rivers, is never disturbed. I do not desire the kingdom, nor happiness, nor the earth, nor any of these pleasures, nor heaven, nor even life itself. You alone I desire in truth, O best of men, not falsehood; by your truth and virtue, I swear this before you. Nor is it possible for me, father, to remain even for a moment; bear this grief, for there will be no change in my resolve. O Raghava, I have indeed been requested by Kaikeyi to go to the forest, and I replied, ‘I will go.’ I am now faithfully upholding that truth.” He comforted Dasharatha, “Do not be anxious, O Lord; we shall enjoy ourselves in the forest, peaceful and filled with gentle deer, resounding with the calls of many birds. For, my father is regarded as a deity, even among the gods themselves, O dear one. Therefore, as if it were divine command, I shall carry out my father’s word. When fourteen years have passed, O best of kings, you will see me returned; let go of this sorrow. You, O tiger among men, who ought to restrain all these tears, why have you yourself succumbed to distress?” Rama concluded, “The city, the kingdom, and the land itself I relinquish; let them be given to Bharata. I, obeying your command, shall go to the forest to dwell for a long time. Let Bharata rule over this land, with its mountains, cities, and groves, which I have relinquished; let him govern well within its auspicious borders. Whatever you have said, O King, so let it be.” Thus, with unwavering resolve and devotion, Rama sought his father’s blessing, ready to fulfill his duty and uphold truth, even at the cost of his own happiness.