The well-trained cooks then began to serve an infinite variety of seasoned articles which were too numerous to be named. Of each of the four kinds of food mentioned in the scriptures (viz., 1. that which can be directly swallowed, 2. That which must be masticated before it can be gulped, 3. that which can be licked, and 4. that which can be sucked) there was an indescribable variety of dishes.

Similarly there were seasoned dishes of various kinds, having six different flavours, and each flavour was served in a countless number of dishes. As the banquet proceeded, scandalous jests were bandied about in melodious strains, mentioning men and women by name.

Very agreeable were the jests and suited to the festive hour, and the king and the whole assembly were moved to laughter as they heard them. In this manner they all feasted and in the end were courteously given water with which they rinsed their hands and mouth.

With due honour Janaka offered pan to Dasharath and all his guests, and then the king of all kings, Dasharath, happily retired to his own apartment.

There was ever some new rejoicing in the city, and day and night passed like a moment. The jewel of kings, Dasharath, woke up at early dawn and the mendicants began to chant his praises.

As he gazed upon the gallant princes and their lovely brides, the rapture of his soul was beyond all telling. After performing his morning duties he called on guru Vasishtha with a heart full of exultation and love.

Making obeisance to him and doing him reverence with folded hands, the king addressed him in a voice steeped in ambrosial sweetness, ‘Listen, king of sages, it is by your favour that today every ambition of mine has been fulfilled.