There was a crash of cymbals and tabors, conches and clarionets, drums and sweet-sounding kettledrums, both large and small; and many other charming instruments also played. Everywhere young women sang auspicious strains. The queen with her companions was much delighted, as though a withering crop of paddy had been refreshed by a shower. King Janaka was now care-free and felt gratified as if a tired swimmer had reached a shallow. The kings’ countenance fell at the breaking of the bow, just as a lamp is dimmed at dawn of day. S¶tŒ’s delight could only be compared to that of a female CŒtaka* bird on receiving a rain-drop when the sun is in the same longitude as the constellation named SvŒt¶* (Arcturus). Lakƒma˜a fixed his eyes on RŒma as the young of a Cakora bird gazes on the moon. ÝatŒnanda then gave the word and S¶tŒ advanced towards RŒma˚. (1—4)