Moon-faced and fawn-eyed damsels sang festal strains in a voice as sweet as the notes of the cuckoo.

Men and women rejoiced in their hearts when they heard of Rama?s investiture as regent, and thinking God to be gracious to them, began to make all festal preparations.

‘The king then summoned Vasishtha and sent him to Rama’s apartments to give him counsel suited to the occasion. The moment Raghunatha heard of the guru’s arrival, he repaired to the door and bowed his head at his feet. ‘The king then summoned Vasishtha and sent him to Rama’s apartments to give him counsel suited to the occasion. The moment Raghunatha heard of the guru’s arrival, he repaired to the door and bowed his head at his feet.

He reverently sprinkled lustral water and conducted him in and paid him honour by worshipping him in the sixteen prescribed modes. Once more he and Sita clasped his feet and Rama spoke with his lotus palms joined in prayer.

‘Though a master’s visit to his servant’s house is the root of all blessings and a foe to sorrow, yet it would have been more fitting, my lord, for the master to have graciously sent for the servant and charged him with a duty; for such is the right course.

Since, however, my lord has laid aside his prerogative and done me this loving favour (by calling on me), my house today has been sanctified. Now I am ready, holy saint, to what I am bid, for it is a servant’s joy to serve his master.’

On hearing these worlds steeped in affection, the sage praised Raghunatha and said, ‘It is like you to speak thus, O Rama, who are the jewel of the Solar race.’