The houses of all were abodes of bliss and contained beautiful wall-paintings done, as it were, by Rati’s lord (Cupid) himself. The people of the city, both men and women, were graceful, pious, saintly, virtuous, wise and accomplished.

The palace of king Janaka was most marvellous, the sight of whose splendour astounded even gods. Even the surrounding walls filled the mind with wonder; it seemed as though they had enclosed within their limits the beauty of all the worlds.

White palaces were screened here and there by bejewelled gold tapestries of various beautiful designs; while the exquisite mansion where Sita lived defied description.

The gateways to the palace were all beautiful and protected with doors of diamond. They were always thronged with feudatory princes, acrobats, panegyrists and bards. There were spacious stables for horses and stalls for elephants, which were crowded at all hours with steeds, elephants and chariots.

Many were the warriors, ministers and generals, who all owned mansions that vied with the royal palace. Outside the city, by lake and river, a number of princes had pitched their camps.

Seeing an incomparably beautiful mango-grove, a most agreeable and convenient spot, Vishvamitra said, “O wise hero of Raghu’s race, this is just what I like; let us stay here.”

“Very well, my lord,” replied the gracious Lord, and encamped there with all the hermit train. When the king of Mithila heard the news that the great sage Vishvamitra had come,-