And countless hosts in rich array

Pursued on foot their eager way.

Veiled from the air with silken screens

In litters rode the widowed queens.

Kausalyá first, acknowledged head

And sovereign of the household, led:

Sumitrá next, and after, dames

Of lower rank and humbler names.

Then compassed by a white-robed throng

Of Bráhmans, heralded with song,