Ramayana_VOLUME V with index

299
Janaka
be on show; so, this is a good chance, certainly.” (RKRV Part I
p.121-124)
Viswamitra walked on, in the north-easterly direction, with
Rama and Lakshmana by his side. They neared a City, by
evening. The sage pointed to the City from a distance saying,
“That is Mithila, that vast concourse of magnificent buildings!”
At this, the brothers as well as the disciples of the sage jumped
with joy. They could not contain their happiness. From that spot,
they walked faster. Forgetful of physical exhaustion, they
quickly reached the main entrance of the City.
Wherever they turned, they saw ascetics and Brahmins engaged
in the recitation of the Vedas. They saw many houses where
sacrificial fires were fed with ritual offerings. Under every tree
sheltering in its shade, were groups of people around the bullock
carts which had brought them from the country side. There were
men and women, old and young, with children belonging to all
castes and professions, persons, from all stages of life assembled
at every corner. It was like moving in a stream of joy. The City
was packed with eager people moving criss-cross on all the
roads. The sage and his followers reached the embankment of a
tank which was comparatively less crowded; for, they had to
decide where they were to stay, and they were not yet quite sure
where. The time for evening ablutions had drawn near, and so,
they kept their belongings on the bank, took their bath and
finished the rites prescribed.
Since the Yajna was imminent, courtiers and warriors from the
palace were moving among the monks that were arriving every