Go quickly.” On hearing the saint’s commands the king bowed in assent, and hastened to the palace, after assigning quarters to the heralds.
Then he called all the ladies of the seraglio and read aloud to them Janak’s letter—all rejoiced greatly at the news. He then told them all the verbal message; and both himself and the queens were as enraptured with delight as a peacock at the sound of approaching rain. The guru’s wives in their joy invoked the blessings of heaven, and the queen-mother was completely overwhelmed with ecstasy. They take the dear letter from one another, and press it to their bosom to cool as it were their burning heart. Again and again ere he turned to the door, the king repeated the glory and the exploits both of Rama and Lakshman, adding: “It is all by the saint’s good favour.” Then the ladies sent for the Brahmans and joyfully made them offerings, for which the holy men returned their blessings.
Next they called together the beggars and lavished every kind of gift upon them: “May the four sons of the Emperor Dasarath live for ever!”
Thus they shouted as they left, attired in raiment of many colours. There was a jubilant clamour of music, and in every house, as the news spread among the people, there were joyous congratulations. The fourteen spheres were fulfilled with delight at the marriage of Raghubir with the daughter of Janak. When they heard the glad tidings, the citizens were enraptured and began decorating the roads and houses and streets; for although Avadh in itself was a charming place, and clean and pure as being Rama’s home, yet, as the natural outcome of its love, it garnished and adorned itself still more with festal decorations. Silken flags and banners and graceful chauries crested the gay bazar; and at every turn were golden jars and festoons of netted pearls and heaps of turmeric, durva grass, curds, rice, and garlands of flowers.
Then he called all the ladies of the seraglio and read aloud to them Janak’s letter—all rejoiced greatly at the news. He then told them all the verbal message; and both himself and the queens were as enraptured with delight as a peacock at the sound of approaching rain. The guru’s wives in their joy invoked the blessings of heaven, and the queen-mother was completely overwhelmed with ecstasy. They take the dear letter from one another, and press it to their bosom to cool as it were their burning heart. Again and again ere he turned to the door, the king repeated the glory and the exploits both of Rama and Lakshman, adding: “It is all by the saint’s good favour.” Then the ladies sent for the Brahmans and joyfully made them offerings, for which the holy men returned their blessings.
Next they called together the beggars and lavished every kind of gift upon them: “May the four sons of the Emperor Dasarath live for ever!”
Thus they shouted as they left, attired in raiment of many colours. There was a jubilant clamour of music, and in every house, as the news spread among the people, there were joyous congratulations. The fourteen spheres were fulfilled with delight at the marriage of Raghubir with the daughter of Janak. When they heard the glad tidings, the citizens were enraptured and began decorating the roads and houses and streets; for although Avadh in itself was a charming place, and clean and pure as being Rama’s home, yet, as the natural outcome of its love, it garnished and adorned itself still more with festal decorations. Silken flags and banners and graceful chauries crested the gay bazar; and at every turn were golden jars and festoons of netted pearls and heaps of turmeric, durva grass, curds, rice, and garlands of flowers.