Then they bowed their heads before Kausalya’s feet, who rejoiced to give them her blessing and said,’You are as dear to me as Raghunatha.’

The sky was obscured with showers of blossoms as the Lord of bliss went on to the palace, and throngs of men and women of the city mounted to the upper storeys to see him.

They ornamented all kinds of golden pitchers with various designs and set everyone of these at their doors; they al fashioned festoons, flags and buntings, to make a glad show.

All the streets were sprinkled with perfumes and scented water and many a mystic square was traced and filled in with pearls. Every kind of festive preparation was made and a large number of kettledrums began to sound joyous music in the city.

Everywhere women scattered their offerings (on his path), invoking blessings with hearts full of joy. Many young women set festal lamps in golden dishes and sang auspicious songs the while.

They waved the festal lamps about the head of Rama who banishes all woe, who is the sun that delights the lotus bed of the Solar race. The splendour, the wealth, the blessedness of the city are all hymned by the Vedas, Shesha and Sarasvati,

but even they are struck dumb before the spectacle; how, then, can my mortal, O Uma, recount his perfections?