26. Afterwards the assembled Bráhmans (of the court) headed by Vasishtha, honoured him with their welcomes.
27. The king said:—We are as highly favoured, Oh holy sage! by thine unexpected appearance and thy glorious sight, as a bed of lotuses at the sight of the luminous sun.
28. Oh sage, I have felt at thine appearance the happiness which knows no bounds, and which has no diminution in it.
29. This day we must be placed at the front rank of the fortunate, as we have become the object of thine advent.
30. With these and similar conversations that went on among the princes and the sages, they proceeded to the court-hall where they took their respective seats.
31. The king finding the best of sages (Viswámitra) so very prosperous in his devotion, felt some hesitation to offer him the arghya (honorarium) himself with his cheerful countenance.
32. He (the sage) accepted the arghya offered him by the king, and hailed him during his act of turning round (the sage), according to the rules of Sástra.
33. Thus honoured by the king, he with a cheerful countenance asked the Lord of men about the good health (of himself and family), and the fulness of his finance.
34. Then coming in contact with Vasishtha, the great sage saluted him as he deserved with a smile, and asked him about his health (and of those in his hermitage).
35. After their interview and exchange of due courtesies had lasted for a while to the satisfaction of all in the royal assembly;