Thus did the long-armed Rāma spend his days looking into all
administrative works relating to the city and provinces. Some days
having elapsed, he, with folded hands, said to Janaka, the king of
Mithilā, "Thou art our only refuge—we have been reared by thee and by
the help of thy dreadful prowess we have been able to destroy Rāvana. O
king, the relation between the families of Ikshwāku and Mithilā, is
unequalled and delightful. Taking the jewel, do thou proceed to thy own
city and Bharata as a help shall follow thee." Saying "So be it," the
king Janaka bespoke Rāma "O king, I have been delighted with seeing thee
and thy courteous manners. The jewels collected for me, I do confer upon
my two daughters." The royal saint Janaka having gone away, Rāma, with
folded hands and humbly said to his maternal uncle Kaikeya—"O king, this
kingdom, myself, Bharat and Lakshmana are all at thy disposal. The old
king might have been grieved for thy long absence. It therefore behoveth
thee, O king, to go there to-day. With immense wealth and various jewels
let Lakshmana follow thee." Agreeing with his request Yudhājit said, "O
Rāghava, let jewels and wealth be be inexhaustible with thee."
Thereupon, Rāma, at first saluted and went round him and then Yudhājit,
the son of Kekaya, went away to his kingdom in the company of Lakshmana
like unto Indra (leaving for home) in the company of Vishnu on the
destruction of the Asura Vitra. Having bade adieu unto his maternal
uncle Rāma embraced his friend Pratardana, the undaunted king of Kashi
and said:—"Thou hast displayed thy brotherly feelings and delight by
making arrangements for my installation in the company of Bharata. O
king, do thou now leave for thy city Baranushi, highly picturesque,
well-guarded, girt by strong walls on all sides and having
well-decorated gate-ways." Saying this, Rāma, the descendant of
Kākutstha rose up from his seat and embraced him cordially. Having taken
farewell from Rāma enhancing Kausalya’s delight, the king of Kashi, with
his followers, fearlessly and speedily proceeded to his own city. Having
bade adieu to the king of Kashi, Rāma, with a smiling countenance and
sweet accents, said to the three hundred assembled kings: "Being well
protected by your own prowess, you have all displayed your great love
for me. By your piety, truthfulness, sagacity and strength, the
vicious-souled Rāvana hath been slain. Forsooth, I am merely the
instrument in the destruction of Rāvana—he hath been slain by your
strength. Hearing that Sitā, the daughter of Janaka, had been stolen
away from the forest the high-minded Bharata did bring you all—but
fortunately you were not constrained to go through miseries. High-minded
as you are, you were all prepared for this work. Long since you have
come here. I think it better that you should proceed to your respective
habitations." Whereto the kings, greatly delighted, replied: "O Rāma, it
is by thy good fortune that thou hast come off victorious and been
installed on the throne; it is by thy good luck that thou hast got back
Sitā and the enemy Daçānana hath been vanquished. That we behold thee, O
Rāma, victorious and freed from all enemies, is our great benefit and
delight. The encomiums, thou hast showered upon us, are natural with
thee. Thou art Rāma, who always pleases people. Thou art worthy of being
praised but we do not know how to praise thee. With thy permission we
shall now leave for our respective provinces but thou shalt always
reside in our hearts. O thou having long arms, O great king, mayst thou
have that love for us perpetually that we may find place in thy heart."
Whereto Rāma replied saying "So be it." Thereupon the kings, highly
delighted and desirous of going, bade farewell unto Rāma, with folded
palms and being honored by him, left for their respective kingdoms.