Kausalya, the noble queen, was overcome with sorrow as she grieved for her beloved son. “How can I, who have but one son—endowed with every virtue and learned in all the sacred scriptures—endure life without my child?” she lamented. “Truly, I find no strength left in me, for I do not see my cherished son, nor the mighty Lakshmana. Today, a great and terrible fire, born of grief for my son, consumes me, just as the blazing sun scorches the earth with its summer rays.” As Kausalya wept in this way, Sumitra, steadfast in righteousness and herself a noble lady, addressed her with gentle and wise words. “O revered one,” said Sumitra, “your son is adorned with all good qualities and is the foremost among men; what purpose does this lamentation and pitiful weeping serve? Your son, mighty as he is, has left behind the kingdom, performing a noble deed for his great-souled father who is true to his word. Rama, established in righteousness and supreme among men, walks the path practiced by the virtuous—a path that always yields its fruit beyond this life. He is not to be grieved for. “Lakshmana too, ever sinless and compassionate to all beings, conducts himself with the highest virtue. Such a great soul will surely attain success. And Vaidehi, though accustomed to comfort, follows your righteous son, fully aware of the hardships of forest life. Rama upholds the banner of fame in this world, devoted to righteousness and truth. Why should he not attain the rewards of such virtue? “Clearly, recognizing Rama’s purity and supreme greatness, even the sun’s rays should not scorch his body. At all times, the gentle and pleasant wind from the forests will serve Raghava, being moderate in heat and cold. At night, the cool and soothing moon will embrace the sinless Rama like a loving father, dispelling the heat as it touches him. “Remember, it was to him that the mighty Brahma granted divine weapons, after witnessing the lord of the Dānavas, son of Timidhvaja, slain in battle. That hero, a tiger among men, relying on his own strength, will dwell in the forest without fear, just as he would in his own home. Enemies who come within the range of his arrows meet their destruction; how then can the earth not remain under his rule? With the fortune, valor, and noble nature that belong to Rama, once his exile ends, he will swiftly regain his own kingdom. “As the sun is to the sun, fire to fire, lord to lord, so is Rama supreme in splendor, glory, and forbearance. He is foremost among gods and men; O noble lady, what faults could there be in him, whether in the forest or in the city? Rama, the best of men, together with the earth, with Sita, and with prosperity, will soon be anointed with these three. “When the people of Ayodhya saw him depart, they were struck by the force of grief and shed tears born of sorrow. What could be unattainable for Rama—the unconquered hero clad in bark and grass—as fortune follows Sita who accompanies him? What could be unattainable for him, whose foremost skill is with the bow, who bears arrows and sword himself, and for whom Lakshmana goes ahead? “You will see him again, returned from the forest, O lady; abandon grief and delusion—I speak the truth to you. O blameless one, you will again see your son, bowing at your feet with his head, like the risen moon. Seeing him re-enter, anointed and resplendent, you will quickly shed tears of joy from your eyes. Let there be no sorrow or pain, O lady; nothing inauspicious is seen for Rama. Soon you will see your son with Sita and Lakshmana. “O sinless one, you must comfort all these people; why do you now harbor this distress in your heart, O lady? You are not worthy of sorrow, O lady, whose son is Raghava; for there is no one greater than Rama, steadfast in the righteous path. Seeing your son, accompanied by friends, bowing in respect, you will soon shed tears of joy, like a rain cloud releasing its waters. Your son, the bestower of boons, will soon return to Ayodhya and gently press your feet with his soft, plump hands. Seeing your heroic son, accompanied by friends, bowing and paying homage, you will sprinkle him with tears of joy, like a line of clouds upon a mountain.” Having spoken thus, comforting Rama’s mother with various gentle and skillful words, Queen Sumitra fell silent. Hearing these words from Lakshmana’s mother, Kausalya felt her grief at once vanish from her body, like a rain cloud in autumn with little water. Thus ends the forty-fourth chapter of the Ayodhya Kanda in the glorious Ramayana, composed by the sage Valmiki. Now begins the forty-fifth chapter. As Rama departed for the forest, the people of Ayodhya, devoted to the great-souled prince whose valor was true, followed him. Though the king, their friend and protector, had already turned back out of duty, the people did not turn away—they continued to follow Rama’s chariot. For among all the men of Ayodhya, Rama, renowned and full of virtues, was as dear to them as the full moon.