The whole court was overwhelmed with emotion; yet, perceiving that the auspicious moment had arrived, the king seated the princesses in their palanquins, with this thoughts intent upon Ganesha and his consort, Siddhi.

Janaka gave his daughters much good counsel and instructed them in the duties of a woman and in family customs. He bestowed upon Sita a good many men-servants and handmaidens, who had been her trusted and favourite attendants.

As she proceeded on her journey the citizens were in distress, but fair omens and auspicious signs promised all happiness. With a company of Brahmans and his counsellors, the king set forth to escort his daughters on their way.

The wedding-guests made ready their chariots and elephants and horses, and music sounded, appropriate to the hour. Then Dasharath summoned all the Brahmans and gratified them with gifts and compliments.

The king placed the dust of their lotus feet upon his head and was glad to receive their blessings. Invoking the elephant-headed Ganesha, he joyously set out on his journey, when many fair omens, all roots of felicity, occurred.

Joyfully the gods rained down flowers and the heavenly nymphs sang, as the lord of Avadh happily set out for his capital amidst the clash of kettledrums.

Courteously the king persuaded the respectable citizens to retire and graciously sent for all the mendicants, on whom he bestowed ornaments and clothes and horses and elephants, and satiating them with love, he made them rich indeed.