Baal Kaanda
54 - Janaka's despatching of messengers to Ayodhya and departure of the marriage procession from there
Chaupais
Description
The king then called all the ladies of the gynaeceum and read aloud Janaka's letter to them. All rejoiced to hear the message and the king himself related the other tidings which he had heard from the lips of the messengers. Bursting with emotion the queens shone like pea-hens rejoicing at the rumbling of clouds. The preceptor's wife and the wives of other elders in their joy invoked the blessings of heaven and the mothers of the four brothers were overwhelmed with ecstasy. They took the most beloved letter from each other and pressing it to their bosom cooled their burning heart. The great king recounted again and again the glory and exploits of both Rama and Laksmana, saying that it was all due to the sage's grace he went out of doors. The queens then sent for the Brahmanas and joyfully bestowed gifts on them. And the Brahmanas returned to their home uttering blessings.