-with luscious fruit and many other delightful articles were gladly sent as gifts of welcome by Janaka. The king also sent ornaments and raiment and precious gems of every variety, birds and antelopes, horses and elephants and vehicles of every description,

-charming aromatic substances of an auspicious nature and various articles of good omen; and a train of porters marched with their loads of curd and parched rice and presents of endless variety slung across their shoulders.

When the escort saw the bridegroom’s party, their hearts were filled with rapture and a thrill ran through their bodies. Seeing the escort equipped in every way, the members of the bridegroom’s party sounded their drums in rapture.

Some from each side joyfully galloped forward to meet one another, and the two parties met as two oceans of bliss that had burst their bounds.

Celestial nymphs rained down flowers and sang and the gods sounded kettledrums for joy. The escort placed all the offerings before Dasharath and supplicated him with an affectionate address.Celestial nymphs rained down flowers and sang and the gods sounded kettledrums for joy. The escort placed all the offerings before Dasharath and supplicated him with an affectionate address.

The king lovingly received everything and distributed the offerings as presents among his own people or bestowed them as alms on the beggars. Then with reverence and respect and honour the escort conducted the bridegroom’s party to the lodgings set apart for them.The king lovingly received everything and distributed the offerings as presents among his own people or bestowed them as alms on the beggars. Then with reverence and respect and honour the escort conducted the bridegroom’s party to the lodgings set apart for them.

The cloths spread as carpets for the royal guests to tread upon were so gorgeous that Kuvera(the god of wealth) on seeing them could no longer be proud of his wealth. Magnificent were the guest-chambers assigned to the bridegroom’s party, which provided every kind of comfort for each guest.