The gods, unseen, conferred this blessing, and the mothers joyfully received them with outspread robes. The king sent for the wedding guests and gave them carriages and wearing apparel and gems and ornaments.

Then, on receiving the king’s permission and still treasuring Rama’s image in their hearts, they joyfully returned each to his own home. All the men and women of the city were clothed in festal robes, and in every home was a noise of jubilant music.

Anything that a beggar asked was at once bestowed upon him by the glad king, and all the servants and musicians were overwhelmed with gifts and honours.

They all did him homage and invoked blessing upon him and sang his praises. Then the king, accompanied by his preceptor and other Brahmans, retired to the palace.

He reverently performed all the ceremonies prescribed either by usage or by the Vedas as Vasishtha bade him. The queens, on seeing the throng of Brahmans, thought themselves most fortunate and all respectfully rose to greet them.

They laved the feet of the holy ones and bathed them all, while the king feasted them and did them all due homage. Overwhelmed with the host’s civilities, gifts and loving devotion, they blessed him and departed fully satisfied.

To Gaadhi’s son (Vishvamitra) he paid divine honours in various ways and said, ‘My lord, there is none so blessed as I.’ The king lavished his praises on him and with the queens took the dust of his feet.