Ramayana_VOLUME V with index

Janaka
By then, Rama and Lakshmana entered the enclosure with the
Sage Viswamitra. They prostrated before their father and their
preceptors—Vashishta, Vamadeva and others. Dasaratha’s eyes
glistened with delight as they fell upon the sons he had missed so
long. He drew them to himself. He placed his hands on their
shoulders. He pressed them to his bosom. Seeing the ananda of
the father while fondling his sons the Brahmins and ministers
forgot themselves in appreciation of the depth of his affection.
They were lost in admiration.
Dasaratha conversed intimately with his sons, and listened to
their sweet simple descriptions of the Yajna which they guarded
from desecration by demonic forces. They told him the incidents
of the journey from the hermitage of Viswamitra to Mithila city.
The narrative was heard also by Vashishta, Vamadeva and other
sages, as well as by Bharatha and Satrughna, Sumantra and many
ministers, courtiers, and nobles. They spent the night
recapitulating the wonder and mystery that formed the warp and
woof of that narrative. (RKRV Part I p.173-175)
Preparations for the Divine Wedding:
Meanwhile, Janaka was immersed in preparations for the
wedding. He was mostly in the palace itself. He invited the Chief
Priest, Sathananda, to the court, and prayed to him reverentially
to start collecting men and materials for the various rites
preliminary to the actual wedding rite. The sage replied,
“Maharaja! The Yajna concluded just today. During the next two
or three days, there are, I notice a few hours that are auspicious
for the ceremonials. I can give details, if you desire to know.”
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