Treasuring up in their hearts Rama’s sweet and gracious image, all the queens at first were overcome with emotion, but composing themselves, they called their daughters and again and again gave them a maternal embrace.

They escorted them to some distance, and then turned to embrace them yet again with ever-growing mutual love. Time after time the maidens put them aside as they embraced their daughters, as one separates a cow from her heifers not yet weaned.

All the men and women, including the attendants and the ladies of the gynaeceum, were so overpowered by emotion that it seemed as though Piteousness and Parting had taken up their abode in the city of Videha.

The parrots and mainas that Janaki had kept in golden cages and taught to speak, cried in distress, ‘Where is Videha’s daughter?’ Was there anyone who, on hearing, would not be robbed of his peace of mind?

And if the birds and beasts were thus distressed, how can one tell the feelings of the people? Then came Janaka with his younger brother (Kushadhvaja), his heart overflowing with love and his eyes full of tears.

Although he was renowned for his supreme dispassion, yet, when he gazed upon Sita, all his composure deserted him. The king clasped Janaki to his bosom and the great embankment of wisdom toppled down.

All his wise counsellors remonstrated with him, and realizing that it was no occasion for wailing, he recovered himself. Time and again he pressed his daughters to his bosom, and then ordered gaily decorated palanquins to be brought.