The elaborately engraved gates were thrown open to the victorious army that marched in as a merry, disciplined tune played in their honour. The princess glanced out of the window to steal a glance at the King who had defeated her father.
Marching through the street below she saw a handsome young man mounted on an enormous white elephant. She couldn't take her eyes off him. For a moment it seemed he glanced at her as well.
"Kaushalya?" Whispered her sakhi.
Red in the face, she quickly gathered a handful of petals off the brass plate nearby and let them go. She stared in awe as the elephant caught them with one twirl of his trunk and showered them on his master.
There he looked up at her and smiled! Her friends shared meaningful glances, and giggled as she turned and fled.
---
After a few months, a messenger stood before the Queen of Kosala. He had a message from the King.
"Rani Amritaprabha! The king has ordered for the preparations for the wedding to be started as soon as this message reaches your Highness. Raja Dasharatha, the Lord of Ayodhya, has expressed his desire to marry Princess Kaushalya. To his proposal our Maharaja has very happily consented."
---
With trembling steps, Kaushalya entered her husband's house, after kicking the auspicious pot of rice placed in the doorway. Rani Indumati, the Queen Mother, pulled her close and placed a loving kiss in her forehead,"My daughter, may you be blessed with eternal happiness! May you mother a son equivalent to Lord Narayana himself!" Thousands of lamps bade her welcome, while the air filled with the cheers of the citizens and royals alike.
Vershini, her elder sister squeezed her arm with a warm smile. Her brother-in-law Raja Romapada was conversing with her husband.
The maids who had accompanied her to her new home, now whispered among themselves.
"Oh, look how handsome he is!"
"Our Princess is so lucky she has Maharaja Dasharath as her husband."
"I heard he shot an arrow from Ayodhya, which hit the gates of the royal palace in Lanka!"
"They say he's the strongest man alive!"
Kaushalya felt a sudden burst of joy and a little pride. Her knees shook slightly as she coyly lowered her veil.
---
Dasharatha entered their private chambers and beamed at her. He took her trembling hands into his. She shut close her eyes while he uttered her name for the first time.
No one quite knew what happened next, but Kaushalya decided in the morning that her husband was the best in the entire world, and that she would not leave his side even if she were offered the riches of the entire universe!
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