They displayed their skill, making the horses prance and perform many feats; the companions smiled and gestured to one another as they reached the guest pavilion. There King Dasharatha, sovereign of the solar line, sat enthroned, surrounded on every side by radiant princes and every arrangement of happiness. Attendants called out proclamations, and heralds recited royal praises; singers sang auspicious virtues while kettledrums sounded at the gate.
There Mithilapati's prince arrived with his companions. He respectfully bowed before the King of Avadh and the four princes. Seeing Lakshminidhi, that treasury of joy, they honored him and all his companions. The king, lamp of the Raghu line, took his hand and seated him beside himself. In that moment Lakshminidhi and his friends gazed upon the beauty of Rama and his brothers and became treasuries of happiness; and Rama's heart too was cooled upon seeing Lakshminidhi's face.
Then Srinidhi joined his hands and spoke tenderly to the king: “Please send the princes, your royal darlings, to take their kalevā meal.” Immersed in love, Dasharatha smiled gently. He quickly summoned the four princes and happily gave them leave.
Learning that preparations had been made in Janaka's city, every servant became joyfully busy. Each began arranging the princes' attire, bringing ornaments and splendid garments. Upon Raghunandana's head a gold-brocaded turban shone, set at a graceful threefold angle. A many-colored plume bent charmingly upon it, each fold arranged with exquisite care. A lovely peacock ornament of gold and jewels gleamed upon his head. A wedding veil beside the vermilion jewel delighted the mind.