How were you able to slay those monstrous demons, the wicked Maricha and Subahu with their hosts, who were formidable warriors and counted none before them in battle?

It was by the goodwill of the sage Vishvamitra, I vow, my son, that God kept away from you so many disasters, while you and your brother (Lakshmana) protected the sacrifice, and by the guru’s blessing acquired all knowledge.

At the mere touch of the dust of your feet the sage’s wife (Ahalya) attained salvation and your glory filled the whole universe. In the assembly of the princes you broke Shiva’s bow, hard though it was as a tortoise-shell or thunderbolt or mountain peak.

You won the glory of universal triumph and Janaka’s daughter too, and then with your brothers returned home married. All your actions have been superhuman, and it is only by the grace of the sage Vishvamitra that you have accomplished them.

Today our birth into the world has borne fruit as we now behold, dear child, your moon-like face. Our prayer is that the number of days that were spent without seeing you, God ought not to take into account at all’.

Rama reassured all the queens in most modest and seemly words, and fixing his thoughts on the feet of Shiva, his preceptor and the Brahmans, he closed his eyes in sleep.

Even in sleep his pretty and piquant little countenance gleamed fair as a red lotus half closed at eventide. In every house women kept vigil, jesting with one another in auspicious strains.