Ramayana, Epic of Rama, Prince of India

XI. Rama’s Return and Consecration - 153
Elephants in golden trappings thousand chiefs and nobles bore,
Chariots cars and gallant chargers speeding by Sarayu’s shore,
And the serried troops of battle marched with colours rich and brave,
Proudly o’er the gay procession did Ayodhya’s banners wave.
In their stately gilded litters royal dames and damsels came,
Queen Kausalya first and foremost, Queen Sumitra rich in fame,
Pious priest and learned Brahman, chief of guild from near and far,
Noble chief and stately courtier with the wreath and water jar.
Girt by minstrel bard and herald chanting glorious deeds of yore,
Bharat came, – his elder’s sandals still the faithful younger bore, –
Silver-white his proud umbrella, silver-white his garland brave,
Silver-white the fan of chowri which his faithful henchmen wave.
Stately march of gallant chargers and the roll of battle car,
Heavy tread of royal tuskers and the beat of drum of war,
Dundubhi and echoing sankha, voice of nations gathered nigh,
Shook the city’s tower and temple and the pealing vault of sky!
Sailing o’er the cloudless ether Rama’s Pushpa chariot came,
And ten-thousand jocund voices shouted Rama’s joyous name,
[168] Women with their loving greetings, children with their joyous cry,
Tottering age and lisping infant hailed the righteous chief and high.
Bharat lifted up his glances unto Rama from afar,
Unto Sita, unto Lakshman, seated on the Pushpa car,
And he wafted high his greetings and he poured his pious lay,
As one wafts the chaunted mantra to the rising God of Day!
Silver swans by Rama’s bidding soft descended from the air,
And on earth the chariot lighted, – car of flowers divinely fair, –
Bharat mounting on the chariot, sought his long-lost elder’s grace,
Rama held his faithful younger in a brother’s dear embrace.
With his greetings unto Lakshman, unto Rama’s faithful dame,
To Bibhishan and Sugriva and each chief who thither came,