Happy, too, were all the mothers with their companions and maidens as they saw their heart’s desire, like a creeper, bearing fruit; and still more enraptured was the king, as he heard tell and saw for himself Rama’s beauty and goodness and amiability and genial disposition.

In very heart was a common desire, which they expressed in their prayers to the great Lord Shiva, ‘O that the king in his own life-time would invest Rama with the regency.’

One day king Dasharath sat enthroned with all his courtiers in the assembly hall. Himself the embodiment of all goodness, the king was overjoyed to hear of Rama?s fair renown.

Every monarch solicited his favour, and the very guardians of the spheres cultivated his friendship and respected his wishes. No man was so blessed as Dasharath in all the three spheres of the universe, in time past, present and to come.

Of him who had for his son Rama, the source of every bliss, whatever might be said would fall short of the truth. The king chanced to take a mirror in his hand and, looking at his face, set his crown straight. s

Close to his ears were white hairs like old age whispering into his ears, ?O king, make Rama your regent and thus fulfil the purpose of your life!?

Having thus considered and settled it in his mind, the king chose an auspicious day and a fitting time and went and communicated his intention to his guru (Vasishtha) with his body quivering with emotion and his mind filled with rapture.