For guests from all the country round. 
    Of various viands presents make,
    For honor, not for pity’s sake,
    That fit regard and worship be
    Paid to each caste in due degree. 
    And let not wish or wrath excite
    Your hearts the meanest guest to slight;
    But still observe with special grace
    Those who obtain the foremost place,
    Whether for happier skill in art
    Or bearing in the rite their part
    Do you, I pray, with friendly mind
    Perform the task to you assigned,
    And work the rite, as bids the law,
    Without omission, slip, or flaw.”

    They answered:  “As thou seest fit
    So will we do and nought omit.” 
    The sage Vasishtha then addressed
    Sumantra, called at his behest:—­
    “The princes of the earth invite,
    And famous lords who guard the rite,
    Priest, Warrior, Merchant, lowly thrall,
    In countless thousands summon all. 
    Where’er their home be, far or near,
    Gather the good with honor here. 
    And Janak, whose imperial sway
    The men of Mithila obey,
    The firm of vow, the dread of foes,
    Who all the lore of Scripture knows,
    Invite him here with honor high,
    King Dasaratha’s old ally. 
    And Kasi’s lord of gentle speech,
    Who finds a pleasant word for each—­
    In length of days our monarch’s peer,
    Illustrious King, invite him here. 
    The father of our ruler’s bride,
    Known for his virtues far and wide,
    The King whom Kekaya’s realms obey,
    Him with his son invite, I pray. 
    And Lomapad, the Angas King,
    True to his vows and godlike, bring. 
    Far be thine invitations sent
    To west and south and orient. 
    Call those who rule Surashtra’s land,
    Suvira’s realm and Sindhu’s strand,
    And all the kings of earth beside
    In friendship’s bonds with us allied:—­
    Invite them all to hasten in
    With retinue and kith and kin.” 
    Vasishtha’s speech without delay
    Sumantra bent him to obey,
    And sent his trusty envoys forth
    Eastward and westward, south and north. 
    Obedient to the saint’s request
    Himself he hurried forth, and pressed
    Each nobler chief and lord and king
    To hasten to the gathering. 
    Before the saint Vasishtha stood
    All those who wrought with stone and wood,
    And showed the work which every one
    In furtherance of the rite had done. 
    Rejoiced their ready zeal to see,
    Thus to the craftsmen all said he:—­
    “I charge ye, masters, see to this,
    That there be nothing done amiss. 
    And this, I pray, in mind be borne,
    That not one gift ye give in scorn;
    Whenever scorn a gift attends
    Great sin is his who thus offends.”