Burning with a fever of anguish, they sobbed out, ‘What hope of life is there apart from Rama?’ The people were as disconcerted at the thought of this sad separation as aquatic creatures when the water dries up.

While men and women alike were thus overwhelmed with excessive grief, the holy Lord Rama called on his mother (Kausalya), with joy in his face and fourfold exultation in his heart. He feared no more that the king might detain him.

Raghubira’s mind had been like a young elephant newly caught with kingship for its fetters. When he heard of his banishment to the forest, he knew that he was freed and felt overjoyed in his heart.

The crown of the house of Raghu, Rama, folded his hands and cheerfully bowed his head at his mother’s feet. She blessed him and clasped him to her bosom and lavished on him gifts of jewels and raiment.

Again and again his mother kissed his face, with tears of affection in her eyes and her body quivering with emotion. Again she took him on her lap and pressed him to her heart, while the milk of love flowed from her graceful breasts.

Her affection and joy were altogether beyond description; it seemed as if a pauper had become rich as Kuvera (the god of riches). Fondly regarding his beauteous countenance, his mother spoke to him in endearing terms:

Tell me, my son, I adjure you by your mother, what hour is set for those glad and auspicious ceremonies when my piety, virtue and joy will reach their climax and I will be blessed with the highest reward of my life;