They took that most beloved letter one after another and clasped it to their bosoms to cool their burning hearts. Over and over again the great king recounted the glory and exploits of both Rama and Lakshmana,-

-adding, ‘It is all by the sage’s grace.’ Then he left the chamber, and the queens sent for the Brahmans and joyfully bestowed gifts on them, for which the noble Brahmans blessed them and departed.

Next, they called together the beggars and lavished a myraid gifts on them. ‘Long live the four sons of the emperor Dasharath!’

-they cried, as they left attired in garments of all kinds. There was a jubilant clash of kettledrums, and when the news spread among all the people, auspicious rites began to be performed in every house.

All the fourteen spheres were filled with joyous enthusiasm at the news of the forthcoming wedding of Janaka’s daughter with Raghunatha. The citizens were enraptured when they heard the glad tidings and began to decorate the streets and houses and lanes.

Though the city of Ayodhya is ever charming being the blessed and sacred abode of Rama, yet for the love the people bore him it was adorned with beautiful festal decorations.

The market was overlaid, as it were, with flags and banners and screens and graceful whisks in a most marvellous fashion. With vases of gold, triumphal arches, festoons of netted gems, turmeric, blades of panic-grass, curds, unbroken rice and wreaths of flowers-