Rama tried every means to rouse the sage, but he awoke not, for he was lost in the ecstasy of contemplation. Then Rama withdrew his kingly guise and manifested his four-armed form in the sage’s heart.

The sage thereupon started up in agitation like a noble snake distressed by the loss of its jewel. But seeing before him the dark-hued Rama, the abode of bliss, with Sita and his brother.

- the great and blessed sage dropped like a log at his feet, drowned in love. Taking him in his long arms, the Lord raised him and with utmost affection clasped him to his bosom.

While embracing the sage, the gracious Lord shone forth like a tamala tree meeting a tree of gold. As the sage gazed on Rama’s face, he stood motionless like a figure painted in a picture.

Then the sage nerved himself and clasping his feet again and again conducted the Lord to his own hermitage and paid him reverence in many ways.

‘Lord, listen to my humble prayer,’ said the sage; ‘how am I to hymn your praises? Immeasurable is your majesty and scant my wit, like the glow of a fire-fly before the sun.

I ever adore Rama, whose body is dark as a wreath of blue lotuses, with a crown of knotted hair on his head and clad in hermit’s robes, carrying a bow and arrows in his hands, with a quiver hanging at his side;