Apprehending obstruction of Śrī Rāma’s installation from an ominous dream, Daśaratha summons Śrī Rāma immediately and asks him to observe certain sacred vows preliminary to installation alongwith Sītā. Bidding him go by his father, Śrī Rāma enters his mother's gynaeceum and, after receiving her blessings, retires alongwith Sītā, already present there, to his own palace.

Urged by the Emperor to solemnize the installation of Śrī Rāma as Prince Regent, Vasistha enjoins in his turn Daśaratha’s ministers, Sumantra and others, to get ready all requisites for the ceremony. Sent by Sumantra, Śrī Rāma in the meantime calls on his father, who announces his decision to install him as Prince Regent and also tenders some opportune advice to him. Śrī Rāma’s chums break the news to Śrī Rāma’s mother, Kausalyā; treasuring in his mind the exhortation of his father and bowing low to him, Śrī Rāma returns to his own apartments.

Daśaratha apprises the assembly of his intention to retire from active rule after relegating the power to Śrī Rāma’s able hands and the councillors with one voice ditto the proposal and urge the Emperor to expedite matters.

Bharata having left for his maternal grandfather’s capital along with Śatrughna, Emperor Daśaratha makes up his mind to install Śrī Rāma as his Regent and, summoning a number of princes for consultation, confers with them on the subject.

On the departure of Paraśurāma, Śrī Rāmaa hands over the bow of Lord Visnu to Varuƒa (the god of water) and, sending his army ahead, King Da‹aratha enters Ayodhyā. After some days Prince Yudhājit, Bharata’s maternal uncle takes away Bharata and Śatrughna to his fatherís capital.

THE END OF BĀLAKĀNDA

Fitting the arrow to the bow of Lord Visnu and declaring it as unfailing, Śrī Rāma asks Paraśurāma to point out at whom it may be discharged, and at the instance of the latter puts an end to his title to the (ethereal) worlds earned by him through his austerities. Recognizing Śrī Rāma to be no other than Lord Visnu and taking leave of him, Paraśurāma withdraws to Mount Mahendra in order to resume his austerities.

Turning a deaf ear to Daśaratha’s prayer, Paraśurāma relates the history of the bows belonging to Lords Śiva and Visnu and challenges Śrī Rāma to string the bow of Lord Visnu in his possession.

Taking leave of Janaka and Daśaratha, Viśwāmitra returns to his own hermitage and, accepting large wedding presents, Da‹aratha too turns back to Ayodhyā alongwith his sons and their newly- wedded brides. On the way the irascible and redoubtable Paraśurāma, a sworn enemy of the Ksatriyas, suddenly appears before them, axe in hand, and Vasistha and the other sages accompanying the party offer worship to him.

Janaka escorts Daśaratha and his four sons clad in nuptial attire to the pavilion erected for the wedding. Placing Viśwāmitra and Śatānanda ahead, Vasistha conducts the marriage ceremony. Śrī Rāma and his three brothers clasp the hand of Sītā and her sisters. Singing and dancing for joy, the gods rain heavenly flowers on the brides and bridegrooms.

Vasistha and Viśwāmitra jointly ask for the hand of the two daughters of Kuśadhwaja in favour of Bharata and Śatrughna and Janaka acquiesces in the proposal. Thereupon Daśaratha gets his sons to perform the rite of Samåvartana and himself performs the Nāndīśrāddha.