राजा रंगभूमि आज बैठे जाइ जाइकै। आपने आपने थल, आपने आपने साज, आपनी आपनी बर बानिक बनाइकै॥ १ ॥ कौसिक सहित राम-लषन ललित नाम, लरिका ललाम लोने पठए बुलाइकै। दरसलालसा-बस लोग चले भाय भले, बिकसित-मुख निकसत धाइ धाइ कै॥ २ ॥ सानुज सानंद हिये आगे ह्वै जनक लिये, रचना रुचिर सब सादर देखाइकै। दिये दिब्य आसन सुपास सावकास अति, आछे आछे बीछे बीछे बिछौना बिछाइकै॥ ३ ॥ भूपतिकिसोर दुहुँ ओर, बीच मुनिराउ देखिबेको दाउँ, देखो देखिबो बिहाइकै। उदय-सैल सोहैं सुंदर कुँवर, जोहैं, मानौ भानु भोर भूरि किरनि छिपाइकै॥ ४ ॥ कौतुक कोलाहल निसान-गान पुर, नभ बरषत सुमन बिमान रहे छाइकै। हित-अनहित, रत-बिरत बिलोकि बाल, प्रेम-मोद-मगन जनम-फल पाइकै॥ ५ ॥ राजाकी रजाइ पाइ सचिव-सहेली धाइ, सतानंद ल्याए सिय सिबिका चढ़ाइकै। रूप-दीपिका निहारि मृग-मृगी नर-नारि, बिथके बिलोचन-निमेषै बिसराइकै॥ ६ ॥ हानि, लाहु, अनख, उछाहु, बाहुबल कहि बंदि बोले बिरद अकस उपजाइकै। दीप दीपके महीप आए सुनि पैज पन, कीजै पुरुषारथको अवसर भौ आइकै॥ ७ ॥ आनाकानी, कंठ-हँसी, मुँहा-चाही होन लगी, देखि दसा कहत बिदेह बिलखाइकै। घरनि सिधारिए, सुधारिए आगिलो काज, पूजि पूजि धनु कीजै बिजय बजाइकै॥ ८ ॥ जनक-बचन छुए बिरवा लजारु के से बीर रहे सकल सकुचि सिर नाइकै। तुलसी लषन माखे, रोषे, राखे रामरुख भाषे मृदु परुष सुभायन रिसाइकै॥ ९ ॥
Today the kings went and seated themselves in the arena, each in his own place, with his own equipage, each arrayed in his finest fashion. (1) Janaka sent for Kauśika and the charmingly named Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, those lovely boys who are the crowns of youth. Longing for their sight, the people set out in good feeling, running from their houses with blossoming faces. (2) Joyful at heart, Janaka came forward with his younger brother and received them, respectfully showing them the entire splendid arrangement. He gave them divine seats with abundant room and comfort, spreading fine coverings layer upon layer. (3) The young princes sat on either side and the sage-king between them— an opportunity to behold them; look, forsaking every other sight. The lovely princes shine upon the mountain of sunrise, as though the morning sun had risen concealing its multitude of rays. (4) Festive uproar, drums, and singing fill the city, while the sky is covered with divine chariots raining flowers. Friend and foe, attached and detached, behold the boys and, gaining the fruit of birth, become immersed in love and joy. (5) Receiving the king's command, ministers and companions hastened away, and Śatānanda brought Sītā seated in a palanquin. Gazing at that lamp of beauty, men and women stood startled like deer and does, their eyes forgetting even to blink. (6) Proclaiming loss and gain, pride and enthusiasm, and the strength of arms, the heralds recited praises and stirred rivalry: ‘Kings from island after island have come upon hearing the firm vow; perform your valor—the occasion has now arrived.’ (7) Evasion, muffled laughter, and whispering began among them. Seeing their state, Videha spoke in grief: ‘Return to your homes and attend to your next affairs; worship the bow again and again, and sound the victory music.’ (8) Touched by Janaka's words, all the heroes became like sensitive plants, remaining bowed in shame. Tulsī says Lakṣmaṇa bristled in anger, but, watching Rāma's disposition, he spoke words both gentle and hard, indignant according to his nature. (9)