Explore "The Ramayan" by Valmiki on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
On that same day that saw the king His gift of kine distributing, The lord of Kekaya's son, by name Yudhajit, Bharat's uncle, came, Asked of the monarch's health, and then Addressed the reverend king of men: "The lord of Kekaya's realm by me Sends greeting, noble King, to thee: Asks if the friends thy prayers would bless Uninterrupted health possess. Right anxious, mighty King, is he My sister's princely boy to see. For this I sought Ayodhya fair The message of my sire to bear. There learning, O my liege, that thou With sons and noble kinsmen now Wast resting here, I sought the place Longing to see my nephew's face." The king with kind observance cheered His friend by tender ties endeared, And every choicest honour pressed Upon his honourable guest.
That night with all his children spent, At morn King Dasaratha went, Behind Vasishtha and the rest, To the fair ground for rites addressed. Then when the lucky hour was nigh Called Victory, of omen high, Came Rama, after vow and prayer For nuptial bliss and fortune fair, With the three youths in bright attire, And stood beside his royal sire. To Janak then Vasishtha sped, And to Videha's monarch said: "O King, Ayodhya's ruler now Has breathed the prayer and vowed the vow, And with his sons expecting stands The giver of the maidens' hands. The giver and the taker both Must ratify a mutual oath. Perform the part for which we wait, And rites of marriage celebrate."