1-2) Upon the departure from the assembly hall of the potentates and the king's subjects, Maharaja Dasaratha, having conferred with his ministers, made a final resolution. He considered thus: "Since the moon is conjoined with Pushya tomorrow, my son Rama, whose eyes are like lotus petals, must be anointed heir-apparent [at that time]".
3) He then entered his private apartments, and commanded his charioteer, Sumantra, saying, "Bring Rama here once more."
4) Assenting to these words, Sumantra proceeded with haste to Rama's residence to fetch the Lord again.
5) Rama was informed by His doorkeepers that His father's charioteer had come once more, and hearing this He became somewhat apprehensive.
6) He had Sumantra brought in immediately, and spoke to him as follows, "Please tell Me exactly why you have returned."
7) Sumantra replied, saying, "The king desires to see You. Having heard this statement, it is for You to decide whether You come or not!"
8) Being thus advised, Lord Rama hastened to the sovereign's palace to see him again.
9) Hearing that Rama had arrived, King Dasaratha had Him enter his apartments, for he wished to tell Him something most agreeable.
10) As the beautiful Raghava proceeded through His father's residence, He descried him from a distance, and fell prostrate before him with joined palms.
11) King Dasaratha raised His son as He lay prone, and embraced Him closely. He then offered Him a seat, and spoke to Him as follows:
12) "O Rama, I am old and have lived a long life, enjoying whatever I may have desired. I have initiated hundreds of sacrifices and have bestown huge fees upon the performers thereof.
13) That son, longed for by me, has now been born and is unequalled on earth. My wish being granted, I have donated all manner of desirable things, O best among men!
14) Not only have I enjoyed an agreeable life, but I have discharged my duties to the demigods, the forefathers, and the brahmanas, as well as to this body [and its senses].
15) "There is nothing more to be done, except for Your inauguration. Therefore, You should do as I bid You.
16) Today the people have expressed their desire to have You as king; thus, my son, I will anoint You heir-apparent.
17) However, I have recently dreamt inauspicious dreams, O Raghava, and thunderbolts and fiery meteors fall from the sky with a terrible roar!
18) Astrologers inform me that my natal stars are afflicted by evil planets, and the sun is conjunct with Mars and Rahu.
19) Generally, the appearance of such omens presages the calamitous and untimely demise of the king.
20) Therefore, as my intelligence is not bewildered, O Raghava, be anointed without delay, for the minds of embodied beings are flickering [and I fear my mind may be changed].
21) "Today the moon traverses the Punarvasu asterism, which precedes Pushya. The astrologers say the moon will be conjoined with Pushya tomorrow.
22) Upon the moon entering Pushya, be Thou anointed� my mind seems to urge me to be quick about it. Tomorrow I shall have You inaugurated as crown-prince.
23) You should therefore observe a fast, together with Your wife, from this moment and throughout the night, and sleep on a couch of kusa grass.
24) Have Your friends guard You vigilantly on all sides; there are many obstacles that can arise in the performance of rites such as this.
25) "Although Bharata is absent from Ayodhya and is dwelling abroad, the time has come for Your anointment� that is my opinion.
26-27) Your brother is habituated to the good conduct of the righteous, He is obedient to His elder brother, He is compassionate, and His sense are subdued; but the minds of men are inconstant, are they not? I believe it to be so. And the righteous, being always devoted to piety, are beautified by their decisiveness, O Raghava."
28) Having listened attentively, and being permitted to depart, Lord Rama, whose inauguration was imminent, saluted His father, and proceeded to His residence.
29) He entered His habitation, having been directed by the king in the matter of His anointment, and at that moment His mother left her private apartments.
30) Lord Rama beheld her in His temple, dressed in fine linen, absorbed in silent prayers before the Deity for His good fortune.
31) Hearing the delightful news of Rama's anointment, Queen Sumitra had already arrived there, and Lakshmana and Sita as well.
32-33) At that moment, Kausalya stood motionless with half-closed eyes, attended upon by Sumitra, Lakshmana and Sita. Having heard that her son was to be crowned heir-apparent upon the moon entering Pushya, she meditated, with suspended breathing, upon the Supreme Lord, Janardana [Vishnu].
34) Approaching His mother, who was absorbed in contemplation, Rama offered her obeisance and spoke the following, bringing her the highest joy.
35) "O mother, I have been entrusted by My father with the protection of the people. Tomorrow, by his command, I shall be anointed heir-apparent.
36) I must perform a night-long fast together with Sita. I was bidden thus by My preceptors; indeed, My father has told Me so.
37) Please have all rites performed today, for Me and for Sita, that will ensure tomorrow's ceremony is auspicious."
38) Hearing that which she had desired so long to hear, Kausalya addressed Lord Rama, her eyes bedimmed with tears of ecstasy, as follows.
39) "O Rama, dear child, may You live a long life! May Your adversaries be vanquished! May you be the delight of my kin, and of Sumitra, when You are invested with regal splendour!
40) You were born from me under the auspices of a beneficent star, my son. For that reason Your father, Dasaratha, is propitiated by Your virtues.
41) The penance I have performed for the pleasure of the lotus-eyed Lord Vishnu has now proven fruitful. Because of this the glory of the House of Ikshvaku will enfold You."
42-43) Being thus addressed by His mother, Rama, smiling mildly, spoke as follows to His brother, who sat bowed, with folded hands, saying, "O Lakshmana, govern this earth with Me. You are my second Self� this honour has fallen to Your share.
44) O son of Sumitra, enjoy whatever You desire, and all the rewards of kingship too. I wish for life and the realm for Your sake alone!"
45) Having thus addressed Lakshmana, and offering obeisance to His mother, Lord Rama begged leave to depart, and proceeded with Sita to His personal apartment.