The lustrous jewelled festoons were like the rainbow (the arch of Indra’s bow); the maidens on the balconies, now in sight, now hiding, were like the fulfil flashes of lightning in their restless movement.

The beat of the drums was as the crash of thunder, the beggars as clamorous as the cuckoos, frogs and peacocks. The gods poured down showers of sacred perfumes, gladdening all the people of the city as rain gladdens the crops.

Perceiving that the propitious hour had come, the guru (Vasishtha) gave the word, and the jewel of the house of Raghu, King Dasharath, gladly entered the city with his retinue, fixing his mind on Shiva, Parvati and Ganesha.

Auspicious omens manifested themselves and the gods rained down flowers to the beat of drums, while the heavenly nymphs danced for joy and sang melodious triumphal strains.

Bards, minstrels, rhapsodists and skilled dancers chanted the glory of him (Rama) who illumines the three spheres. Auspicious shouts of triumph and the sacred and melodious recitation of the Vedas were heard in all the ten quarters of the world.

Musical instruments of all kinds began to play; gods in heaven and men in the city were alike enraptured. The magnificence of the procession defied description, and the joy was more than heart could contain.

The people of Ayodhya then did obeisance to the king and were right glad to see Rama. They scattered around him many an offering of gems and raiment, with their eyes full of tears and their bodies trembling with excitement.