Grief weighed heavily upon Kausalya’s heart as she lamented, “Truly, I find no strength left in my life here, for I do not see my beloved son, nor the mighty Lakshmana. Today, a great and terrible fire—born of sorrow for my son—consumes me, just as the radiant sun scorches the earth with its rays in the heat of summer.” As Kausalya wept in anguish, her noble companion Sumitra, ever steadfast in righteousness, gently spoke words of comfort and wisdom. “O noble lady,” she said, “your son is adorned with every virtue and stands foremost among men; what purpose does such lamentation and pitiful weeping serve? Your son, mighty as he is, has departed after giving up the kingdom, performing a noble deed for his great-souled father who is ever true to his word. “Rama, established in righteousness and supreme among men, follows the path practiced by the virtuous—a path that always bears fruit after this life. He is never to be grieved for. And Lakshmana, ever sinless, conducts himself with the highest virtue; compassionate to all beings, such a great soul will surely attain success. Even Vaidehi, though accustomed to comfort, follows your righteous son, fully aware of the hardships of forest life. “He who upholds the banner of fame in this world, devoted to righteousness and truth—why should your son not attain what is rightfully his? 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, emerging from the forests, will serve Raghava, being moderate in heat and cold. At night, the cool moon, soothing and gentle, will embrace the sinless Rama like a father, dispelling the heat as he touches him. “To him, the mighty Brahma gave divine weapons, after witnessing the lord of the Danavas, 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 house. 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 in the forest ends, he will swiftly regain his kingdom. As the sun is to the sun, fire to fire, lord to lord, so is he supreme in splendor, glory, and forbearance. He is the foremost among gods and beings; 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 he departed, the people of Ayodhya, struck by the force of grief, shed tears born of sorrow. What could be unattainable for him, 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; 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 thus spoken, Queen Sumitra, skilled and blameless in her speech, fell silent, having comforted Rama’s mother with her wise and gentle words. Hearing the words of Lakshmana’s mother, spoken with such compassion and conviction, Kausalya felt her grief vanish from her body, like a rain cloud in autumn that has shed its waters. Meanwhile, the people of Ayodhya, devoted to the great-souled Rama whose valor was true, followed him as he departed for the forest. Though the king, their friend and protector, had already turned back out of duty, the people did not turn away but continued to follow Rama’s chariot. Among all the men dwelling in Ayodhya, Rama, renowned and full of virtues, was as dear as the full moon. Though entreated by the citizens at that time, Kakutstha, upholding his father’s truth, set forth resolutely for the forest.