All the gods envied Indra and observed, ‘Today there is no one like Purandara (Indra)!’ The whole host of heavenly beings rejoiced at the sight of Rama, and there was joy beyond measure in both the king’s companies.

Great was the rejoicing in both the kings’ companies; loud beat the kettledrums on both sides; the gods rained down flowers, shouting in their joy, ‘Glory, glory to the jewel of the house of Raghu!’ So, when it was known that the marriage procession was approaching, all sorts of music sounded loud, and Sunayana (Sita’s mother) summoned married women whose husbands were alive and prepared with their help auspicious materials for the lustral rite (parachan).

Having prepared the festal lamps in various ways and all other articles of good omen, a bevy of noble beauties who possessed the graceful gait of an elephant, joyfully went forth to perform the lustral rite.

They all had moon-like faces and eyes like those of a gazelle; by the elegance of their form they humbled Rati’s pride. Attired in fine garments of various hues they had decked their persons with every kind of adornment.

With every limb adorned with auspicious ornaments, they sang melodies that put to shame even the sweet-voiced cuckoo. Bracelets, small bells upon their girdles and anklets made a jingling sound as they moved and Love’s elephants blushed with shame to see their graceful gait.With every limb adorned with auspicious ornaments, they sang melodies that put to shame even the sweet-voiced cuckoo. Bracelets, small bells upon their girdles and anklets made a jingling sound as they moved and Love’s elephants blushed with shame to see their graceful gait.

All kinds of music played, and both in the heavens and in the city were heard glad benedictory songs. Shachi (Indra’s consort), Sarasvati, Lakshmi, Parvati and other goddesses, who were pure-hearted and clever by nature,-All kinds of music played, and both in the heavens and in the city were heard glad benedictory songs. Shachi (Indra’s consort), Sarasvati, Lakshmi, Parvati and other goddesses, who were pure-hearted and clever by nature,-

-disguised themselves as lovely dames and joined the royal gynaeceum. They sang festal songs in a melodious voice; and as all were overcome with joy, none could recognize them.-disguised themselves as lovely dames and joined the royal gynaeceum. They sang festal songs in a melodious voice; and as all were overcome with joy, none could recognize them.