The clouds screened him from the sun, and the gods rained down flowers and regarded him with wistful eyes as Rama went on his way looking at the hills and woods and birds and beasts.

Whenever Sita, Lakshmana and Raghunatha passed by a village, all those who heard of their coming – young and old, men and women alike – came running out at once to see them, unmindful of their household duties.

As they gazed on the beauty of Rama, Lakshmana and Sita, they obtained the fruition of their eyes and felt gratified. At the sight of the two brothers their eyes were wet with tears, a thrill ran through their bodies and they were all enchanted.

Their blissful state was as indescribable as though beggars had discovered a pile of heavenly jewels. Each one called another and admonished him, saying, ‘Now is the time to obtain the reward of your eyes.’

Some were enraptured to see Rama and went with him, gazing on him as he went; others, drawing his image into their hearts by the way of their eyes, were utterly overpowered in body, mind and speech.

Others, seeing a pleasant shady banyan, would spread under it soft grass and leaves and say, ‘Pray rest awhile after your fatigue, and proceed again either at once or preferably at daybreak.’

Others would bring a pitcher full of water and say in soft accents, ‘My lord, rinse your mouth.’ On hearing their affectionate words and seeing their great devotion, the tender-hearted and most amiable Rama,