Baal Kaanda
54 - Janaka's despatching of messengers to Ayodhya and departure of the marriage procession from there
Chaupais
Description
The champions, who were all staunch in fight and had taken a vow of chivalry, sallied forth and halted outside the city. The clever fellows put their steeds through various paces and rejoiced to hear the clash of tabor and drum. The charioteers had made their cars equally gorgeous with flags and banners, gems and ornaments. They were also provided with elegant chowries and tinkling bells, and outdid in splendour the chariot of the sun-god. The king owned numberless horses with dark ears,* which the charioteers yoked to their chariots. They were all beautiful and looked so charming with their ornaments that even sages would be enraptured at the sight. They skimmed the surface of water even as dry land and would not sink even hoof-deep; so marvellous was their speed. Having provided the chariots with missiles and weapons and every other equipment the charioteers called their masters.