They skimmed the surface of water like dry land and would not sink even hoof-deep, so marvellous was their speed. After preparing their equipment of armour and weapons, the charioteers summoned the warriors to mount the cars.

Mounting the chariots, the processionists began to collect outside the city. All, on whatever errand they went, met with auspicious omens.

On magnificent elephants were mounted splendid howdahs, embellished in a manner beyond all description. Elephants in rut, adorned with clanging bells, moved like beautiful (rumbling) clouds in the rainy month of Shravana (roughly)corresponding to August).

There were various kinds of other vehicles, such as palanquins, sedans, etc., all of fair design, on which rode companies of noble Brahmans, incarnations, as it were, of all the hymns of the Vedas.

Genealogists, bards, panegyrists and rhapsodists too travelled in carriage appropriate to their rank, and every sort of mule, camel and bullock went laden with commodities of countless kinds.

Millions of porters marched with burdens slung across their shoulders; who can describe the various goods they carried? All the great company of servants also proceeded on the journey, each equipping himself in his own way and forming batches of his own. (the great company of servants went forth, ‘each with his own set of appliance’. – F.S. Growse)

The hearts of all were filled with boundless joy and a thrill ran through the bodies of all. They whispered to one another, ‘When shall we feast our eyes on the two heroes, Rama and Lakshmana?’