66697602-The-Ramayana-R-K-Narayan

court, followed, surrounded by two thousand brahmins and
priests. Bharatha and Sathrugna, also younger brothers of
Rama, came next. Dasaratha, after performing his daily
duties and religious rites and presentation of gifts to
brahmins, started to leave his palace at an auspicious
conjunction of the planets, ushered by a number of priests,
men bearing in their arms golden pots filled with holy waters
which they sprinkled on his path, while several women
recited hymns.
When the King emerged from his palace, many rulers from
the neighbouring states were waiting to greet him. Conch
and trumpets were sounded, and loud cheering and the
recital of honours, when his carriage began to move.
After journeying for a distance of two yojanas, the King
with his army and followers camped in the shadow of Mount
Saila. Next day the camp moved on to a grove beside a
river.
The forward portions of the advance party, which had
already reached Mithila, were received and absorbed into
homes, palaces, and camps in the capital. As further
contingents kept coming in, they too were received. The line
of movement was continuous from Ayodhya to Mithila. King
Dasaratha’s party was the last to arrive. When the scouts
who watched for their arrival flew back on horses to report
that Dasaratha’s party had been sighted, Janaka went forth