When Dasharath saw the two brothers falling prostrate before him, he could not contain himself for joy. Clasping the boys to his heart, he allayed the unbearable anguish he had borne and looked like a dead restored to new life.

Next, Rama and Lakshmana bowed their heads at Vasishtha’s feet, and the great sage embraced them in an ecstasy of love. The two brothers saluted all the Brahmans and in turn received their welcome blessings.

Bharata and his younger brother (Shatrughna) greeted Rama, who lifted them and clasped them to his heart. Lakshmana rejoiced to see the two brothers (Bharata and Shatrughna) and embraced them with the utmost affection.Bharata and his younger brother (Shatrughna) greeted Rama, who lifted them and clasped them to his heart. Lakshmana rejoiced to see the two brothers (Bharata and Shatrughna) and embraced them with the utmost affection.

Then the most gracious and unassuming Lord Rama greeted all the citizens and the members of his household and family, the beggars, the ministers and his friends, in a manner befitting the rank of each.Then the most gracious and unassuming Lord Rama greeted all the citizens and the members of his household and family, the beggars, the ministers and his friends, in a manner befitting the rank of each.

When the wedding guests saw Rama, they had a sense of rare fulfilment, for the ways of love are beyond description. The four sons standing by the king looked like incarnations of the four great ends of human endeavour, viz., religious merit, riches, enjoyment and release from worldly existence.When the wedding guests saw Rama, they had a sense of rare fulfilment, for the ways of love are beyond description. The four sons standing by the king looked like incarnations of the four great ends of human endeavour, viz., religious merit, riches, enjoyment and release from worldly existence.

The men and women of the city were delighted beyond measure at the sight of Dasharath with his sons. The gods showered down flowers and beat their drums and the nymphs of heaven danced and sang.

Shatananda (Janaka’s family guru) with the Brahmans and ministers of State, the genealogists, minstrels, jesters and rhapsodists, who had come to escort them, paid due honour to the king and his party, and with their permission returned.