Read "The Ramayan" by Valmiki online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
Then Saint Vasishtha to the king Came ready at his summoning. "Now go," exclaimed the monarch, "thou Enriched by fervent rite and vow, For Rama and his wife ordain The fast, that joy may bless his reign."
The best of those who Scripture know Said to the king, "My lord, I go." To Rama's house Vasishtha hied, The hero's fast by rule to guide, And skilled in sacred texts to tell Each step to him instructed well. Straight to Prince Rama's high abode, That like a cloud pale-tinted showed, Borne in his priestly car he rode. Two courts he passed, and in the third He stayed his car. Then Rama heard The holy sage was come, and flew To honour him with honour due. He hastened to the car and lent His hand to aid the priest's descent. Then spoke Vasishtha words like these, Pleased with his reverent courtesies, With pleasant things his heart to cheer Who best deserved glad news to hear: "Prince, thou hast won thy father's grace, And thine will be the Regent's place: Now with thy Sita, as is right, In strictest fasting spend the night, For when the morrow's dawn is fair The king will consecrate his heir: So Nahush, as the wise relate, Yayati joyed to consecrate."