As the great assembly hall overflowed with sages and celestial beings, and the gentle rain of flowers had settled into stillness, all those gathered listened intently to the conversations of the hosts of siddhas—those perfected ones who wander at will. Among these accomplished beings, who for ages had moved freely through the vast sky, a sense of wonder arose. “Today,” they murmured among themselves, “we have heard something truly unprecedented—a nectar-like speech, unmatched in its sweetness and depth.” They spoke in awe of what had just been declared by Rama, the luminous scion of the Raghu dynasty. His words, spoken with profound detachment, soared beyond the reach of even the lord of speech himself. “Indeed,” they said, “we have heard words from Rama’s own lips that delight the mind like nectar, bestowing great merit.” He had spoken fittingly of the supreme state—a state serene and beautiful, like the nectar of tranquility itself. In that moment, all present felt as if they had been awakened by the wisdom of the Raghu descendant. Now, it was only proper, the assembly agreed, to hear the considered judgments of the great sages regarding the purifying words spoken by Rama, the banner of the Raghu line. Without delay, the greatest of sages—Narada, Vyasa, Pulaha, and others—arrived unhindered, their presence filling the hall with radiance. “Let us settle around this sacred gathering of Dasaratha’s son,” they said, “like bees clustering around a golden lotus, leaving no space between us.” Thus resolved, the divine lineage of sages who dwelt in the sky descended into the assembly. The foremost among them stood at the front, the wind at their backs, while the revered sages of the forests mingled among the mighty and cloud-dark Vyasa. The assembly was adorned by the presence of leading sages—Bhrigu, Angiras, Pulastya—and protected by Cyavana, Uddalaka, Sira, Sharaloma, and others. They moved with deerskins in gentle disarray from their mutual embrace, their eyes lively, garlands and bracelets swaying as they walked, bearing their ritual circles with ease. They shone like a cluster of stars, each outshining the other in beauty, like a shower of blossoms, like a second orb of the sun. Vyasa radiated among them like a network of stars in the sky; Narada, too, shone forth among the multitude. Pulastya stood out like the lord of gods among deities, and Angiras glowed like the sun itself. As this assembly of perfected sages descended from the heavens to the earth, the hall of Dasaratha’s son seemed to rise with their presence. Celestial and earthly sages, mingling together, shone brilliantly, their bodies entwined, illuminating all ten directions. Their hands were adorned with flutes and bells, and they held playful lotuses; their hair was crested with fresh blades of sacred grass and crowned with jeweled diadems. Some wore matted locks twisted into knots and crowned with Kapila’s hair; their arms were decorated with bracelets, some set with rubies. They were clothed in bark garments and loincloths, draped with silk garlands; their girdles swayed loosely, and strings of pearls moved as they walked. Vasishtha and Vishvamitra, recognizing the arrival of these great beings who moved through the heavens, immediately honored them, offering water to wash, water for their feet, and words of welcome. King Dasaratha himself worshipped the assembly of siddhas with all proper rites, and the siddhas, in turn, greeted the king with courteous inquiries and words of goodwill. With mutual affection and enthusiasm, each received proper hospitality, and the celestial and earthly sages took their seats on the mats that had been arranged for them. All around, words of praise, showers of flowers, and songs of honor were offered to Rama, who sat before them with bowed head. There, radiant with royal splendor, were Vishvamitra, Vasishtha, Vamadeva, and the ministers, all seated together. Narada, son of the gods; Vyasa, foremost among sages; Marichi, Durvasa, and Angiras were also present. Kratu, Pulastya, Pulaha, Sharaloma the eminent sage, Vatsyayana, Bharadvaja, and Valmiki, the foremost among poets, had gathered as well. Uddalaka, Richika, Sharyati, Cyavana, Ushmapa, Ghrtarci, Shaludi, and Valudi—these and many other great souls, accomplished in the Vedas and all their branches, who had realized the highest knowledge, were present as leaders in that assembly. Together with Vasishtha and Vishvamitra, these sages—including Narada—spoke to Rama, whose face glowed with brilliance: “Ah, indeed, O prince, your words are endowed with all auspicious qualities. They are filled with the essence of supreme nobility and detachment. The meaning of your statements is thoroughly established, clear, appropriate, and evident—noble, worthy of loving practice, unwavering, and free from confusion. Your speech is expressed with clarity and distinction; it is pleasing, nourishing, and deeply satisfying. Who would not be amazed by the words spoken by you, O Raghava?” “Among a hundred, even one such as you is capable of all noble wonder. The goddess of speech herself becomes exclusively skilled in conveying the highest meaning through you. O prince, without you, for whom else does the young vine of wisdom, bearing the fruit of discernment, blossom in this way?” “He whose heart holds the flame-tip of wisdom, as yours does, O Rama, shines brightly, illuminating all; such a person is remembered through the ages. The mere mechanisms of flesh, blood, and bone, and the many things that have passed, draw objects toward themselves, but consciousness is not found in them. Birth, death, old age, and suffering come again and again, yet the bewildered creatures do not reflect on this cycle of existence.” “Only rarely, and in some special place, is one seen whose mind is pure and capable of reflecting on both past and future, as is this slayer of enemies. Forms that yield the supreme fruit of wonder and are truly auspicious are indeed rare in this world—like the sandalwood trees among all other trees.” Thus, in that sacred hall, the sages and siddhas honored Rama’s wisdom and presence, their hearts filled with reverence and joy.