Though accustomed to the comforts of palace life, Vaidehi, knowing well the hardships that await in the forest, faithfully follows your righteous son, Rama. He, who upholds the banner of fame in the world and is devoted to righteousness and truth, is destined to attain the highest honor. Recognizing Rama’s purity and supreme greatness, even the rays of the sun should not scorch his body. At all times, the gentle and pleasant wind from the forests will serve Raghava, keeping him comfortable in both heat and cold. At night, the cool and soothing moon will embrace sinless Rama like a protective father, dispelling the heat as it touches him. To Rama, whom mighty Brahma gave divine weapons after witnessing the lord of the Dānavas, son of Timidhvaja, slain in battle, nothing is impossible. That hero, tiger among men, relying on his own strength, will dwell in the forest without fear, just as he would in his own house. Any enemy who comes within range of his arrows meets certain destruction; how can the earth not remain under his rule? With the fortune, valor, and noble nature that belong to Rama, once his forest exile ends, he will swiftly regain his kingdom. As the sun is to the sun, fire to fire, and lord to lord, so is Rama supreme in splendor, glory, and forbearance. He is the foremost among gods and beings; 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. Yet, as he departs, 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, 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. Thus, having spoken to Rama’s mother and comforting her with various words—skilled and blameless in her speech—Queen Sumitra fell silent. Hearing those words of Lakshmana’s mother, spoken to Rama’s mother, the king’s wife, her grief at once vanished from her body, like a rain cloud in autumn with little water. Thus ends the forty-fourth sarga of the Ayodhya Kanda in the glorious Ramayana, the first poem, composed by the sage Valmiki. Let the forty-fifth sarga be heard in the glorious Valmiki Ramayana, Ayodhya Kanda. The people, 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 by force of duty, they did not turn away but continued to follow Rama’s chariot. Among the men dwelling in Ayodhya, Rama, renowned and full of virtues, was as dear as the full moon. Though entreated by those citizens at that time, Kakutstha, upholding his father’s truth, set out for the forest. Looking at them with affection, as if drinking them in with his eyes, Rama spoke tenderly to those people, as a father to his own children. He said, “The love and great respect the people of Ayodhya bear for me—let that, for my sake, be especially shown to Bharata. For he, of noble conduct and the joy of Kaikeyi, will properly do for you what is dear and beneficial. Though young in years, he is mature in wisdom, gentle, and endowed with heroic virtues; he will be a fitting lord for you, removing your fears. He is endowed with royal qualities and has been chosen as heir-apparent; and you must also, as instructed by me and the elders, obey your lord’s commands. Just as the king should not grieve when I have gone to the forest, so too, out of regard for me, you must act for his happiness.” The more King Dasaratha adhered to righteousness, the more the people longed for Rama as their lord. With eyes clouded by tears, Rama, together with Saumitri, seemed to draw the townspeople to himself by his virtues, as if they were bound to him. Thus the story unfolds, filled with devotion, virtue, and the unwavering love between Rama and the people of Ayodhya.