There is no room for fault in you, dear son, who are a source of delight to your parents and brothers. What you say, Rama, is all true; you are devoted to your parents’ word.

I adjure you, then, so advise your father that he incur not disgrace in the evening of his life. It is hardly desirable for him to disregard the virtues that have brought him such a son as you.’

These fair words in her false mouth were like such holy places as Gaya I the accursed land of Magadh (South Bihar); but Rama took his mother’s words in good part, like the Ganga, which in its course receives and hallows any stream.

The king recovered from his spell of unconsciousness and turned on this side, with his thoughts on Rama. The minister (Sumantra) informed him of Rama’s arrival and made humble petition appropriate to the occasion.

When the king heard that Rama had come, he summoned up courage and opened his eyes. The minister (Sumantra) supported his sovereign to a sitting posture, when the king saw Rama falling at his feet.

Overwhelmed with loving anguish, the king clasped him in his bosom, like a snake that has regained the jewel it had lost. As the monarch continued gazing upon Rama, a flood of tears streamed forth from his eyes.

In his overmastering distress he could not utter a word and pressed the prince to his heart again and again. Inwardly he was beseeching God that the lord of Raghus (Rama) might not be banished to the forest.