Despatching messengers in every direction, he sent for articles of good omen. Thereafter he joyfully returned to Vasishtha and bowed his head before his feet.

The city of Ayodhya was most splendidly decorated and the gods showered down a continuous cascade of blossoms. Rama summoned his servants and said, ‘Go and first assist my friends at their ablutions.’

As soon as they heard the Lord Rama’s command the servants ran this way and that and quickly bathed Sugriva and the rest. Then Rama, the Lord of grace, summoned Bharata and with his own hands untied his knotted coil of hair.

Then the Lord, the gracious Raghunatha, who is the cherisher of all pious souls, bathed his three brothers. Not a thousand million Shesha would be able to declare the blessedness of Bharata and the Lord’s tenderness.

Next, Rama unloosed his own matted hair and with the guru’s permission took his bath. After his ablutions the Lord decked himself with jewels, his every limb as immeasurably resplendent as a myriad Loves.

Forthwith the queens bathed Sita with all tenderness and carefully dressed her in heavenly apparel and decked her every limb with rich jewels.

At Rama’s left hand shone forth Sita, the perfection of beauty and virtue; the queens were all overjoyed at the sight, each thinking her birth had borne fruit.