Thus they shouted as they left, attired in raiment of various kinds; there was a jubilant and tempestuous clash of kettledrums. When the news spread among all the people, festivities were started in every house. All the fourteen spheres were filled with joy at the news of the forthcoming wedding of Janaka’s daughter with the hero of Raghu’s race. The citizens were enraptured to hear the glad tidings and began to decorate the streets, houses and lanes. Although the city of AyodhyŒ is ever charming, being the blessed and sacred abode of Ýr¶ RŒma, it was adorned with beautiful festal decorations because of the love the people bore towards the very embodiment of love. Flags and banners, curtains and graceful chowries canopied the bazars in a most marvellous fashion. With vases of gold, festal arches, festoons of netted gems, turmeric, blades of DµurvŒ grass, curds, unbroken rice and wreaths of flowers— (1—4)