1) Accepting their salutations, their hands having been joined in the semblance of lotus buds, the king returned the gesture, and spoke the following agreeable words:
2) "Ah! I am supremely happy that you desire my beloved elder son to be installed as heir apparent."
3-4) Having thus replied, the king addressed the brahmanas present, such as Vasishta and Vamadeva, in the hearing of the others, saying, "This is the auspicious month of Chaitra, when the forest groves are decorated with blossom. Please make everything ready for the inauguration of Rama as heir-apparent."
5-12) As the king fell silent a great cry arose from the people. When their cheering had abated, the emperor addressed the mighty sage, Vasishta, as follows: "Kindly consent this day, your holiness, to the performance of the necessary rites and the collection of the requisite paraphernalia for Rama's installation." Being thus requested by King Dasaratha, Vasishta, the best of sages, commanded the sovereign's attendants, who stood before him with folded hands, saying, "Gather the following� gold and jewels for tribute, and various herbs as well. Bring pure, white garlands, honey, and clarified butter. Bring unbeaten cloth, a chariot, and all manner of weapons. Bring an army consisting of horse, cars, foot soldiers and elephants, an elephant with auspicious markings, a pair of wisks, fans, a flag, and a white umbrella. Fetch a hundred gold pots as lustrous as fire, a bull with gilded horns, and a complete tiger-skin. Procure whatever else is required for the ceremony and place it at dawn before the house where the king's sacred fire is maintained.
13) "Let the portals of the emperor's private apartments, and of the entire city, be worshipped with sandalwood paste, with garlands, and with fragrant incense.
14) Let the best quality rice, prepared together with milk and yoghurt, be sanctified and offered to a hundred-thousand brahmanas, to their full satisfaction.
15) Tomorrow morning, prominent brahmanas should be honoured and then donated generous quantities of clarified butter, yoghurt and grains.
16) Tomorrow, at sunrise, the ceremonial invocation of blessings will be performed. Let brahmanas be summoned and seats be prepared for them.
17-18) Let flags be hung, and have the king's road sprinkled with water. Have musicians and dancers gorgeously arrayed, and upon their reaching the second enclosure of the king's palace, have them abide there.
19-21) �Have the worshippable icons of the Lord installed in temples and beneath sacred trees. Let Them be worshipped individually with fried grains and other eatables, with gifts of money and with garlands. Let heroes armed with long swords, sporting leather wristguards and polished armour enter the mighty sovereign's courtyard." Having thus commanded the king's attendants, the two brahmanas [Vasishta and Vamadeva] tarried there, performing whatever rites remained to be done, and informing the king of their progress.
22) These two superlative brahmanas advised the monarch of whatever had been done in great ecstasy. Thereafter, the king instructed Sumantra as follows:
23-27) "Bring the pure souled Rama here without delay!" Sumantra, having replied in the affirmative, conveyed Lord Rama to that place upon an excellent chariot in conformity with the emperor's command. Thereafter, the kings from the east, north, west, and south, as well as the kings of the Mlechchhas, the Aryans, and the forest and mountain folk, began to worship King Dasaratha just as the Devas adore Indra. As he sat in his palace, like Indra in the midst of the Maruts, he observed his son approaching. Lord Rama, who was famed for His valiance, was as beautiful as the king of the Gandharvas.
28) His arms were long, He was the essence of nobility, and His gait was like that of an intoxicated elephant. His countenance was enchanting like the moon, and He was most agreeable to behold.
29) His transcendental beauty, generosity, and manifold spiritual characteristics transported the hearts of men, and He delighted the people like Parjanya [when he sends rain] in the summer season.
30-42) The king could not be satiated by the sight of the approaching Rama. Sumantra helped Raghava alight from an exquisite chariot, and as He proceeded towards His father Sumantra followed with joined palms. Rama ascended the steps to the palace� which resembled the peak of Mount Kailasa; He approached the emperor with folded hands, and offering obeisance at his feet, pronounced His own name. Beholding Him prostrate at his feet, King Dasaratha caught His beloved son by His joined hands, and drawing Him to his bosom, embraced Him. Having raised Him up, the king directed Him to a superlative golden throne inlaid with jewels. Seating Himself upon that excellent chair, Lord Raghava illuminated it with His personal bodily effulgence like the unobscured sun rising over Mount Meru. The assembly hall was lit by His spiritual radiance just as the clear autumnal sky, with its stars and planets, is illumined by the full moon. King Dasaratha was as delighted by the sight of his son as is a man who sees himself adorned with jewels, reflected in a looking-glass. When his son was comfortably seated, Maharaja Dasaratha, the best of those who have sons, addressed Lord Rama as Brahma addresses Kasyapa, saying, "You are born the worthy son of my worthy senior wife. As You are seniormost in point of virtue, You are my beloved, dearmost son. These subjects of mine are devoted to You by reason of Your good qualities, therefore, accept Thou the office of heir apparent tomorrow, when the moon is conjoined with Pushya. The people desire this passionately and have pronounced You to be virtuous. Although You are possessed of such virtues, I shall, out of love, counsel You. "Being always of modest conduct, ever keep Your senses restrained.
43-44) Abandon all evil passions arisen from lust and anger. Governing through the agency of others, as well as by direct decree, gratify You ministers and Your subjects in all respects, and fill the granaries and armouries to the brim.
45) The friends of the sovereign who protects the earth, and who is by nature attached to the performance of sacrifice unto the Supreme Lord, are joyful, like demigods who acquire nectar.
46-48) Therefore, my son, having brought Your senses under control, perform Your duty diligently!" Hearing the emperor's proclamation, Lord Rama's friends hastened to tell the news to Queen Kausalya. And she, the best among women, bestowed gold, cows, and valuable gems upon those who brought the good tidings. Thereafter, having offered obeisance�s to Maharaja Dasaratha, Raghava mounted His chariot, and proceeding to His own majestic residence, was worshipped by crowds along the way.
49) When the citizens [gathered in the royal palace] heard the emperor's decree, they felt as if their cherished wish had been fulfilled, and bidding that lord of men farewell, they returned to their apartments and worshipped the Devas in great happiness.