To Ráma's house Vaśishṭha hied,

The hero's fast by rule to guide,

And skilled in sacred texts to tell

Each step to him instructed well.

Straight to Prince Ráma's high abode,

That like a cloud pale-tinted showed,

Borne in his priestly car he rode.

Two courts he passed, and in the third

He stayed his car. Then Ráma heard

The holy sage was come, and flew