Thrilling all over with emotion, Rama clasped him to his bosom and filled his heart with a joy like that of a pauper who has found the philosopher’s stone. Everyone who saw them said it was as though Love and Truth incarnate were embracing each other.

Next, he threw himself at the feet of Lakshmana, who raised him with a heart brimming over with love. Then he placed upon his head the dust of Sita’s feet, who gave him her blessing as if she were a mother blessing her child.

The Nishada chief prostrated himself before the ascetic, who gladly embraced him as Rama’s devoted friend. From the cup of his eyes he drank the nectar of Rama’s beauty and was delighted as a hungry man who has found delicious food.

‘Tell me, friend,’ said one village woman to another, ‘what king of a father and mother must they be who have exiled such mere children to the forest?’ Men and women alike, on beholding the beauty of Rama, Lakshmana and Sita, found their love rendering them anxious for their safety.

Then Raghubira urgently exhorted his friend (Guha) to return home, and in submission to Rama’s command he went his way.

With folded hands Sita, Rama and Lakshmana made renewed obeisance to Yamuna. Accompanied by Sita, the two brothers joyously went on their way, extrolling the daughter of the sun-god as they went.

Many travellers met them on the way, and when they saw the two brothers they fondly exclaimed: ‘You bear all the marks of royalty on your person and we are troubled indeed to see you.