1) Upon Vasishta departing, Lord Rama bathed with a restrained mind and worshipped Lord Narayana in the company of His large-eyed wife.
2) Taking a vessel containing clarified butter upon His head— according to the scriptural ordinance— He poured it into blazing fire for the pleasure of the Supreme Lord, Vishnu.
3-4) He ate the remnants of the oblation, desiring that which was dear to His heart; thereafter, with His mind concentrated upon Narayana, and saying little, He lay with Sita upon a bed of kusa-grass in the splendid temple of Lord Vishnu.
5) When three hours of the night yet remained, Rama awoke and had the entire temple decorated according to the prescribed rule.
6) Having listened to the delightful words uttered by the professional reciters and singers, He chanted His morning gayatri with a concentrated mind.
7) He then eulogised Lord Madhusoodana [Vishnu] and bowed His head before Him, and, clothed in spotless linen, He urged the brahmanas to recite auspicious prayers.
8) Then was Ayodhya filled with the resonance of their deep, sweet voices, which harmonised with the sounds of musical instruments.
9-11) Hearing that Lord Raghava and the Princess of Videha had fasted during the night, and that Rama was to be anointed that day, the Ayodhyites were filled with joy. Thereafter, seeing that morning had come, the citizens began to decorate the city.
12-13) Flags and banners were hoisted on the spires of temples that resembled mountain-tops surrounded by white clouds; they were hung at cross-roads and across carriageways, upon places of worship, and from watch towers; they adorned the shops and booths of various well-to-do merchants, the homes of prosperous householders, assembly-halls, and any visible tree.
14) The citizens then hearkened to the songs and recitations of professional singers and actors, which were a joy to the mind and to the ear.
15) People met at cross-roads and in each others’ homes and discussed Lord Rama’s forthcoming installation.
16) Even groups of small boys playing at the doorstep gathered together and discussed Lord Rama’s anointment.
17) The citizens strewed the king’s road with flowers and perfumed it with the scent of incense at the time of Lord Rama’s inauguration, thus rendering it beautiful.
18) Anticipating the approach of darkness [later that day] they then erected lamp-posts along every carriageway to provide illumination.
19) Longing for the anointment of Rama as heir- apparent, the residents of Ayodhya decked the city out in finery.
20-21) Gathering at every crossroad and in assembly halls, they eulogised the emperor, saying, “What a great soul is King Dasaratha, the delight of the House of Ikshvaku! Knowing himself to be advanced in years he will shortly anoint Rama heir-apparent.
22) We are indeed fortunate that as king of the earth, Lord Rama, who has seen what is noble and what is vile in this world, will long protect us.
23) He is modest, learned, and righteous. He is dear to His brothers and They to Him. Verily, Raghava is as affectionate to His subject as He is to His siblings.
24) Long live the sinless Dasaratha! By his grace we shall witness the anointment of Rama!”
25) The citizens' various utterances were heard by outsiders who, hearing the tidings of Rama’s inauguration, came from their habitations to Ayodhya.
26) Indeed, the king’s subjects came to the capital from all points of the compass to witness the anointment of Lord Rama, and they filled the Lord’s city to the brim.
27) And the great multitudes of people spreading through the capital were heard like the roaring of the ocean when the force of its waves is augmented by the rising of the full moon.
28) At that time Ayodhya resembled Indra’s residence, as it thronged with those wishing to behold Rama’s inauguration. It resounded with a deafening hubbub and it had the appearance of a sea full of ocean-going aquatics.