But some said, ‘How good of the king to give our eyes such a treat!’ And others, both men and women, talked among themselves in simple, loving and heartwarming words:

‘Blessed are the parents who gave birth to these princes, and blessed that city from which they have come! Blessed are the plains and hills and woods and villages, blessed every spot which they visit!

Even the creator must have rejoiced in creating him who looks upon these princes as his most beloved friends!’ The delightful story of Rama and Lakshmana, the wayfares, thus spread every road and forest.

In this manner the sun of the lotus-like Solar race brought joy to the people on his way, as with Sita and Sumitra’s son (Lakshmana) he journeyed on, looking at the woods

Rama walked in front and Lakshmana followed in the rear, both conspicuous in their hermit’s dress; and between the two shone Sita, resplendent as Maya (the Divine Energy) between the Absolute and the Individual Soul.

Or, to illustrate her beauty as it exists in my mind I another way, she looked as lovely as Rati between Spring and Love; or if I may search my mind for yet another illustration, she shone like Rohini between Budha and the Moon. (Rohini, the fourth lunar asterism, is the wife of the moon, and Budha, the planet Mercury, their son.)

As she walked along the road, Sita timidly planted her feet in the space between her lord’s footprints; while Lakshmana, avoiding the footprints of them both, kept them on the right as he walked.