At that hour came Rama, the Banner of the Solar race, with his brothers; joyfully he came to Janaka’s palace to bid him farewell.

The people of the city, whether men or women, ran to see the four brothers so naturally lovely. Said one, ‘Today they are about to set forth, and Janaka has made arrangements for their departure.

So feast your eyes on the beauty of the four princes, our most beloved guests. Who knows, wise maiden, for what merit of ours Providence has unexpectedly brought these visitors to bless our eyes?

Like a dying man who finds nectar, or one who has been starving all his life and is able to discover the tree of Paradise, or one of damned in hell who attains to the abode of Hari, so are we blessed by the sight of these.

Gaze upon Rama’s beauty and treasure his image in your heart; let your mind fondly cherish it even as a serpent loves the gem in its hood. Thus gladdening the eyes of all, the four princes proceeded to the royal palace.

The ladies of the gynaeceum were transported with joy when they beheld the four brothers in their exquisite beauty; and the brides’ mothers in rapturous joy scattered gifts and waved the lustral lamps about their heads.

Greatly moved at the sight of Rama’s beauty, they affectionately touched his feet again and again and felt no shame, so rapt were their hearts in devotion and involuntary attachment beyond all description.