Again he offered worship to the king of Kosala, taking him to be the peer of Shiva and none other. With folded hands he made his humble prayer and extolled him, enlarging on his own marvellous good fortune.

Then to all the wedding guests Janaka paid the same divine honours in every respect as to the bridegroom’s father, and assigned appropriate seats to them all. But how am I to describe with a single tongue the warmth of his feeling?Then to all the wedding guests Janaka paid the same divine honours in every respect as to the bridegroom’s father, and assigned appropriate seats to them all. But how am I to describe with a single tongue the warmth of his feeling?

Janaka honoured all the guests with gifts and due attention, supplication and sweet compliments. Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, the guardians of the (eight) quarters of the world and the sun-god, all of whom knew the power of Raghunatha.Janaka honoured all the guests with gifts and due attention, supplication and sweet compliments. Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, the guardians of the (eight) quarters of the world and the sun-god, all of whom knew the power of Raghunatha.Janaka honoured all the guests with gifts and due attention, supplication and sweet compliments. Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, the guardians of the (eight) quarters of the world and the sun-god, all of whom knew the power of Raghunatha.

-disguised themselves as noble Brahmans and witnessed the spectacle with great delight. Janaka paid them homage as gods and, though he recognized them not, assigned them exalted seats.

Who should recognize whom when everyone had lost consciousness of one’s own self? As they gazed on the bridegroom, who was Bliss personified, joy was diffused on both sides (in the bridegroom’s party as well as in the court of Janaka). But the all-wise Rama recognized the gods and worshipped them mentally and assigned them seats in his heart. And the gods were delighted to mark the gentle disposition of the Lord.Who should recognize whom when everyone had lost consciousness of one’s own self? As they gazed on the bridegroom, who was Bliss personified, joy was diffused on both sides (in the bridegroom’s party as well as in the court of Janaka). But the all-wise Rama recognized the gods and worshipped them mentally and assigned them seats in his heart. And the gods were delighted to mark the gentle disposition of the Lord.

The bright eyes of all reverently drank in the beauty of Ramachandra’s countenance with the utmost love and rapture, as the partridge feeds on the light of the moon.

Perceiving that the time of wedding had come, Vasishtha sent for Shatananda, who obeyed his summons with all reverence. ‘Go now at once and bring the bride,’ said the sage. Having received the sage’s order, he gladly left. Perceiving that the time of wedding had come, Vasishtha sent for Shatananda, who obeyed his summons with all reverence. ‘Go now at once and bring the bride,’ said the sage. Having received the sage’s order, he gladly left.