Baal Kaanda
54 - Janaka's despatching of messengers to Ayodhya and departure of the marriage procession from there
Chaupais
Description
Collected here and there troops of ladies, all brilliant as the lightning, with moon-like face and eyes resembling those of a fawn and beauty enough to rob Love's consort (Rati) of her pride, and who had practised all the sixteen kinds of female adornment,* sang auspicious strains with voice so melodious that the female cuckoo was put to shame on hearing the sweet sound ! How is the king's palace to be described; the pavilion set up there would dazzle the whole universe. Various articles of good omen and charming in appearance were displayed and a number of kettledrums were sounded. Here were panegyrists singing the family glory and here were Brahmanas chanting the Vedas; while pretty women carolled festive songs, many times repeating the names of Rama and Sita. There was an excess of joy all round, while the palace was too small to contain it; it seemed, therefore, as if it overflowed on all sides.