Kausalya and the other queen mother all ran out to meet him, as cows that have lately calved run at the sight of their little ones;

as cows that have recently calved and have been driven by force to graze in the woods, leaving their young calves at home, hurry on lowing with dripping udders towards the city at close of day. The Lord embraced all the queen mothers with the utmost affection and spoke many a tender word to them. The dread calamity that his absence had brought upon them came to an end and they derived infinite joy and gratification.

Sumitra embraced her son (Lakshmana), remembering how devoted he was to Rama’s feet. Kaikeyi too embraced Rama, but with a heart utterly ill at ease.

Lakshmana too embraced all the queens and was delighted to receive their blessing; but though he embraced Kaikeyi again and again, his bitterness of feeling was not dispelled.

Janaki greeted all her mothers-in-law and was overjoyed to clasp their feet. They asked after her well-being and blessed her, saying, ‘Many your happy wedded life last for ever!’

They all gazed upon the lotus face of Raghunatha and, remembering that it was an auspicious hour, checked their tears. Burning festal lights in golden dishes, they waved them about Rama’s head again and again, contemplating the Lord’s divine form.

They lavished on him every kind of offering (in order to avert an evil eye), their hearts full of supreme felicity and jubilation. Again and again did Kaushalya gaze upon Raghubira, the gracious ad invincible warrior,