PLATE FIVE

After killing the demon Ravana and rescuing mother Sita, Lord Rama-
candra returned to His capital, Ayodhya. He was greeted on the road by
the princely order, who showered His body with beautiful, fragrant
flowers, while great personalities like Brahma and other demigods
glorified His activities in great jubilation. When the Lord’s brother
Bharata understood that Lord Ramacandra was returning to Ayodhya, He
immediately took upon His own head Lord Ramacandra’s wooden shoes
and came out from His camp at Nandigrama. Lord Bharata was accom-
panied by ministers, priests and other respectable citizens, by profes-
sional musicians vibrating pleasing musical sounds, and by learned
brahmanas loudly chanting Vedic hymns. Following in the procession
were chariots drawn by beautiful horses with harnesses of golden rope.
These chariots were decorated by flags with golden embroidery and by
other flags of various sizes and patterns. There were soldiers bedecked
with golden armor, servants bearing betel nut, and many well-known
and beautiful prostitutes. Many servants followed on foot, bearing an
umbrella, wisks, different grades of precious jewels, and other parapher-
nalia befitting a royal reception. Accompanied in this way, Lord Bharata,
His heart softened in ecstasy and His eyes full of tears, approached Lord
Ramacandra and fell at His lotus feet in great ecstatic love. (p. 87)
