The sun finally set on an unforgettable day of untold miseries. At dawn the next day, sages of great renown, Markandeya, Moudgalya, Vamadeva, Kasyapa, Katyayana, Goutama and Jabali assembled to counsel with Vasishta. They said that since Dasaratha was no more and Rama was in exile, it was imperative that one among the Ikshvakus should be proclaimed king. "Many are the maladies of a land without a ruler. In a kingdom without protection of a king, thieves and dacoits flourish. Merchants cannot conduct their business as lawlessness and fear will grip people. Where there is no wealth, the country cannot maintain an army and without soldiers anarchy will prevail. Without the presence of a king, even the god of rain will not bless that country with his cool showers and no grain will grow. The Brahmins will no longer be loaded with gifts and their chants will fall silent. The wealth of the wealthy will cause them sleepless night, as there will be no safety.

"No flowers or sweets will be offered in temples and no alms will be given. With no fear of a king to reckon with, the wicked will become more. Without the royal sword to curb their villainy, they will violate every rule fearlessly. A king who is the essence of truth and righteousness is family to those who have no family and is father and mother to those who have none. Yama judges and Kubera dispenses wealth, Indra rules, Varuna instills discipline, but a king surpasses them all, as he performs all these duties himself."The final verdict of the sages was to redeem Ayodhya from the darkness of not having a ruler by crowning an Ikshvaku as king of Kosala.