south; (4) Nirrti (the god of death), of the south-west; (5) Varu˜a (the god of water), of the west; (6) VŒyu (the wind- god), of the north-west; (7) Kuvera (the god of riches), of the north; and (8) ”ÜŒna (Ýiva), of the north-east. 308 * ÝR” RMACARITAMNASA* rŒn¶ suni uparohita bŒn¶, pramudita sakhinha sameta sayŒn¶. bipra badhµu kulab¾ddha bolŒ¶ ¡, kari kula r¶ti suma¯gala gŒ¶ ¡.2. nŒri beƒa je sura bara bŒmŒ, sakala subhŒya ¡ su¯dar¶ syŒmŒ. tinhahi dekhi sukhu pŒvahi ò nŒr¶¡, binu pahicŒni prŒnahu te pyŒr¶ ¡.3. bŒra bŒra sanamŒnahiò rŒn¶, umŒ ramŒ sŒrada sama jŒn¶. s¶ya sa¡vŒri samŒju banŒ¶, mudita ma¯˛apahi ò cal¶ ¡ lavŒ¶.4. Perceiving that the time of wedding had arrived, Vasiƒ¢ha sent for ÝatŒnanda with all the honour due to him, and on hearing the call the latter came with all reverence. "Kiindly go and bring the bride quickly now." Receiving the sage’s order he gladly left. The wise queen with her associates was highly pleased to hear the priest’s message; she sent for a few BrŒhma˜a ladies and the elder ladies of the family, who performed the family rites and sang charming festal songs. The consorts of the principal gods, who were disguised as mortal women, were all naturally lovely and in the prime of their youth. The ladies of Janaka’s household were delighted to see them and, even though none recognized them, the ladies held them dearer than their life. The queen honoured them again and again treating them on a par with UmŒ, RamŒ and ÝŒradŒ. After adorning S¶tŒ and forming a circle about Her they joyously conducted Her to the pavilion. (1—4)