Ramayana_VOLUME V with index

Janaka
and precious gems in plenty; also a vast variety of priceless gifts
that could be used in daily life. With the dawn of the next day,
the caparisoned chariots were ready for the journey. The women
of the court were in tears; indeed, to speak the truth, all the
women of the city were weeping at the departure of the four dear
princesses.
Unable to bear the pangs of separation from Sita and Urmila,
many nurses and maids broke down with grief. The mothers held
the hands of the sons-in-law and prayed to them to treat their
daughters gently and with affection. “They know no hardship or
sorrow, they have grown up soft and tender,” they pleaded in
pathetic appeal. They wept as if they were losing their very eyes.
At last, they ascended the chariots and moved off. The City was
filled with gloom, as much gloom as the ecstasy it was filled
with for three days previous!
Janaka found it hard to take leave of Sita. He tried his best to
curb the flow of tears 126 . He accompanied Emperor Dasaratha for
some distance describing to him the virtues of Sita and pleading
with him to treat her with loving tenderness. With tears in his
eyes, he prayed that he may be informed frequently of her
welfare and happiness. He spoke also of the other brides and
126
The return trip to Ayodhya commenced, and the people of Mithila felt
intensely sad. Even Emperor Janaka who was a great karma yogi,
himself shed tears. The people of Mithila were stunned when they saw
that Janaka, who had no attachment, was crying. Explaining himself,
Janaka said, “These tears of mine are not tears of sorrow, they are indeed
tears of bliss.” Janaka sent a large retinue of chariots, horses, and
elephants along with the four brides. (SSB 1996 p.34-35)
331