The wise queen and her maidens were overjoyed to hear the priest’s message; she sent for the wives of the Brahmans and the elder ladies of the family, who performed the rites of the house and sang charming festal songs.

The high consorts of the gods, who were disguised as graceful mortal women, were all naturally lovely and in the bloom of youth (about sixteen years old). The ladies of Janaka’s household were charmed to see them and, even though none recognized them, the ladies held them dearer than life.The high consorts of the gods, who were disguised as graceful mortal women, were all naturally lovely and in the bloom of youth (about sixteen years old). The ladies of Janaka’s household were charmed to see them and, even though none recognized them, the ladies held them dearer than life.The high consorts of the gods, who were disguised as graceful mortal women, were all naturally lovely and in the bloom of youth (about sixteen years old). The ladies of Janaka’s household were charmed to see them and, even though none recognized them, the ladies held them dearer than life.

Again and again the queen did them honour, accounting them equals of Uma, Rama and Sharada. After adorning Sita and forming a circle about her they joyously escorted her to the pavilion.Again and again the queen did them honour, accounting them equals of Uma, Rama and Sharada. After adorning Sita and forming a circle about her they joyously escorted her to the pavilion.

Equipping themselves with auspicious materials, Sita’s companions and other attendant ladies reverently escorted her to the pavilion, all of them lovely and superbly adorned in all the sixteen modes (of adornment) and moving with the proud grace of elephants in rut. At the sound of their melodious strains the sages felt obliged to give up their meditation, and Love’s own cuckoos were abashed. Their fair ornaments on the toes and ankles and the charming bangles on their wrists produced a delightful sound in tune with their songs.

Sita among her maidens shone forth in all her native loveliness like a charming personification of Beauty in the midst of the Graces.

Sita’s loveliness baffles all description; so poor is my wit and so surpassing her charm. When the wedding guests saw Sita coming, a veritable storehouse of beauty and altogether spotless,Sita’s loveliness baffles all description; so poor is my wit and so surpassing her charm. When the wedding guests saw Sita coming, a veritable storehouse of beauty and altogether spotless,

-they all did her obeisance from their inmost soul. At the sight of Janaki Rama had his heart’s desire fulfilled. Dasharath and all his other sons were filled with a heartfelt joy beyond the telling.-they all did her obeisance from their inmost soul. At the sight of Janaki Rama had his heart’s desire fulfilled. Dasharath and all his other sons were filled with a heartfelt joy beyond the telling.