husband. The people are satisfied with her purity and Rama takes her
back with the children who are introduced by Valmiki. The husband and
wife are thus re-united after twelve years of grievous solitude, and
happiness is restored to the whole family. The re-union is witnessed not
only by the people of Ayodhya, but by the congregated deities of earth
and heaven.

Rama thus describes his love for his wife:--

"Her presence is ambrosia to my sight; her contact, fragrant sandal; her
fond arms, twined round my neck; are a far richer clasp than costliest
gems, and in my house she reigns the guardian goddess of my fame and
fortune. Oh! I could never bear again to lose her."




MALATI AND MADHAVA OR THE STOLEN MARRIAGE.


There lived, in the town of Kundinapura in Berar, Devarata, a very calm
and sagacious minister to the king of Vidarbha. He had a son named
Madhava. Madhava was very beautiful and of uncommon intelligence. He
became proficient in all branches of learning, in his early age. He now
arrived at a marriageable age. The beautiful town of Padmavati in Malwa
is situated at the confluence of the two rivers Indus and Madhumati.
There lived in Padmavati, Bhurivasu, who was minister to the king of
Padmavati. He had a very beautiful unmarried daughter named Malati. The
king indicated an intention to propose a match between Malati and his
own favourite Nandan, who was both old and ugly, and whom she detested.