31. We have nothing in this nether earth, nor is there anything with the gods in heaven, which I ween is worthy enough to be given, as a proper offering in thine adoration.
32. Yet I beg to pray you something in order to acquit myself of my duty to you, and to render my services to thee prove effectual to me, and hope you will not be irritated at this address of mine.
33. That I adore you myself with my queens and my weal in both worlds, together with all these dominions and servants of mine (all which I now offer humbly at your venerable feet).
34. All these possessions of mine are yours entirely at present, so my lord take them as yours, and make them as parts of your hermitage; please to dispose of these as you please, or use them as you like.
35. Vasishtha replied:—Know, O great king, that we Bráhmans are pleased, only with the mere obeisances of people; we are verily satisfied with receiving reverence of men, and these you have already done and shown to me.
36. You know to rule the earth, and therefore its sovereignty is suitable to thee; nor can you show a Brahmin to have ever reigned as a king, keep therefore what is yours to yourself and prosper therein.
37. Dasaratha answered:—What is this trifle of a realm to me, which I am ashamed to call and own as mine; it cannot lead me to the knowledge of its true Lord, therefore do so as I may clearly and truly know the most high.
38. Válmíki relates:—As the king was saying so, Ráma rose from his seat, and threw handfuls of flowers on the sacred person of his preceptor; and then lowly bending himself before him, he addressed him as follows.
39. Venerable sir, as you have made the king speechless, by telling him that you are pleased with mere obeisance of men; so I am taught to wait here, with my bare prostration at your venerable feet.
40. Saying so, Ráma bowed down his head, lowly at the feet of his guide; and then scattered handful of flowers on his pure person, as the trees on the sides of a mountain, sprinkle their dew drops at the foot and base of the mount. (Gloss. The branches of trees serving as their hands, and the leaves as their palms).