After glorifying the king again and again, they all returned, treasuring Rama in their hearts. Though the king of Kosala besought him over and over again, Janaka in his exceeding love would not turn back.

Once more said Dasharath in gracious tones, ‘I beg you to turn back, O king; you have already come very far.’ At last Dasharath got down from his chariot and stood before him, his eyes overflowing with tears of love.

Then with folded hands and in a voice imbued with the ambrosia of affection, Videha said, ‘How and in what words should I make my supplication to you? You have conferred such high honour on me, O great king.’

The lord of Kosala showed the profoundest respect to the father of the bride and his kinsman, Janaka. They embraced with the utmost courtesy and their hearts could not contain the love they felt.

Janaka bowed his head before the assembly of sages and received blessings from them all. Next he reverently embraced his sons-in-law, the four brothers, each a mine of beauty, amiability and goodness;

- and folding his graceful lotus hands, he spoke in tones begotten of love, ‘How can I tell your praise, O Rama, swan of the holy lake that is the soul of the sages and of the great Lord Shiva;

- for whose sake ascetics practise their austerities and turn from anger, infatuation, selfishness and pride; the all-pervading absolute, imperceptible and imperishable, the embodiment of Consciousness and Bliss, at once the sum and negation of all attributes,