Everything, wise maiden, is out of place”. Hearing this, another said in a soft voice, “Sister, with regard to him I have heard some people say that though he looks small, his strength is great.

If Ahalya, whose sin was so grievous, attained salvation by touching the dust of his lotus feet, will he ever rest content till he has broken Shiva’s bow? One should never give up this belief even for a moment.

The same Creator, who so skillfully fashioned Sita, has preordained for her this dark-hued bridegroom.” They were all pleased to hear her speech and softly exclaimed, “So may it be!”

In their gladness of heart troops of fair-faced, bright-eyed maidens rained flowers on the princes. Wherever the two brothers went, all was pure delight.

The two brothers reached the eastern quarter of the city where the ground had been prepared for the tournament. In the midst of a fair and spacious paved area a spotless altar had been richly adorned.

On all the four sides of this altar were erected broad platforms of gold to be occupied by the princes. Not far behind and surrounding them on all sides shone another circular tier of platforms,-

-of somewhat greater height and beautiful in every way, and where the citizens might come and sit. Close to those were constructed spacious and beautiful pavilions, glistening white and painted in diverse colours,-