When the people had dispersed, King Daśaratha withdrew once more to consult with his trusted ministers. After thoughtful deliberation, the resolute monarch came to a firm decision. “Tomorrow is the auspicious day of Puṣya,” he declared, “and on that day, my beloved son Rāma, whose eyes are as radiant as lotus petals, shall be consecrated as crown prince.” With this resolve, King Daśaratha entered his private chambers and summoned his charioteer. He instructed him, “Go, bring Rāma here again.” The doorkeepers soon approached Rāma and conveyed the king’s summons. Hearing this, Rāma felt a wave of apprehension. Nevertheless, he swiftly received the messengers and asked, “Tell me in full the reason for your coming.” The charioteer replied, “The king wishes to see you. Now that you know this, you may go or not, as you see fit.” Upon hearing these words, Rāma, filled with a sense of urgency, set out at once for the royal palace to meet his father. King Daśaratha, learning of Rāma’s arrival and wishing to speak kindly to him, had him ushered into his presence. As Rāma entered the palace, he saw his father from afar, and with palms joined in reverence, bowed low before him. The king lovingly raised Rāma up, embraced him, offered him a seat, and began to speak. “Rāma,” he said, “I am old and have lived a long life, enjoying every pleasure as I wished. I have performed hundreds of sacrifices, giving with a generous hand, fulfilling all my desires. Today, O best of men, you are my cherished and incomparable son, born as I had hoped. I have given, I have learned, I have achieved all that I wished for. O hero, I have tasted happiness and am free of all debts—to the gods, the seers, the ancestors, the priests, and to myself. “There is nothing left for me to do for you, save for your consecration. Therefore, whatever I now command, you must carry out for me. Today, all the people long to see you as their king. Thus, my son, I will consecrate you as crown prince. “Moreover, Rāma, I have seen ominous dreams this very day—fiery meteors, accompanied by thunderous sounds, have fallen from the sky. The astrologers tell me that my star is afflicted by cruel planets—the Sun, Mars, and Rāhu. Such omens, it is known, often foretell a king’s death or the coming of great calamities. Therefore, Rāghava, before my mind becomes clouded or uncertain, you must be consecrated; for the thoughts of living beings are indeed fickle. “Today, the moon has reached Pūrvāṣāḍhā before Puṣya; tomorrow, the astrologers will surely announce the conjunction with Puṣya. Therefore, be consecrated during Puṣya; my heart urges me strongly. Tomorrow, I shall make you crown prince, O scorcher of foes. “From tonight onward, you must spend the night with self-restraint, together with your wife, lying upon a bed of sacred darbha grass. Your friends, vigilant and alert, will guard you on all sides, for undertakings such as these often meet with obstacles. Since Bharata is away from the city, in my view, the time for your consecration has come. Indeed, your brother Bharata follows the path of the virtuous—he honors his elders, is righteous, compassionate, and has mastered his senses. Yet, I believe the minds of men are unstable; but among the steadfast and virtuous, actions shine forth, O Rāghava.” Thus addressed and granted permission for his consecration on the morrow, Rāma bowed to his father and departed for his own residence. Entering his house as instructed by the king, he immediately went to his mother’s inner chambers. There, he beheld his mother Kausalyā, humble and silent, dressed in fine linen, seated within the shrine, praying for prosperity. Sumitrā and Lakṣmaṇa were already there, and Sītā too had arrived, having heard the joyous news of Rāma’s impending consecration. At that moment, Kausalyā stood with closed eyes, surrounded by Sumitrā, Sītā, and Lakṣmaṇa, restraining her breath and meditating upon Janārdana, as she prayed for her son’s good fortune under the Puṣya constellation. While she was still engaged in her observances, Rāma approached and, with deep reverence, greeted his mother, speaking words that filled her heart with delight. “Mother, my father has entrusted me with the duty of protecting the people. Tomorrow, according to his command, I will be consecrated. Sītā too must observe a fast tonight with me; so have my teachers instructed, in accordance with my father’s wishes. Whatever auspicious rites are proper for tomorrow’s consecration, please arrange them today for both me and Vaidehī.” Hearing these words, Kausalyā, whose long-cherished wish was finally being fulfilled, spoke to Rāma with tears of joy choking her voice. “My son Rāma, may you live long; your adversaries are vanquished. You, endowed with prosperity, bring joy to my kinsfolk and to Sumitrā as well. O son, you were indeed born under an auspicious star, for by your virtues you have pleased your father, Daśaratha. Truly, my patience has not been in vain, O lotus-eyed one, for now the royal glory of the Ikṣvāku line shall rest upon you, my son.