Doha - 321
The graceful eyes of all fondly drank in the beauty of Sri Ramacandra's countenance with the utmost love and rapture even as the Cakora bird feeds on the moon's rays.
Chaupala -
Perceiving that the time of wedding had arrived sent for Satananda with all the honour due to him and on hearing the call the latter with all reverence. "Kindly go and bring the bride quickly now." Receiving the sage's order he gladly left. The wise queen with her associates was highly pleased to hear the priest's message; she sent for a few Brahmana ladies and the elder ladies of the family, who performed the family rites and sang charming festal songs. The consorts of the principal gods, who were disguised as mortal women, were all naturally lovely and in the prime of their youth. The ladies of Janaka's household were delighted to see them and even though none recovnized them, the ladies held them dearer than their life. The queen honoured them again and again treating them on a par with Uma Rama and Sarada. After adorning Sita and forming a circle about Her they joyously conducted Her to the pavilion.
Ch
Equipping themselves with auspicious materials Sita's companions and other ladies conducted Her to the pavilion with due honour; each of them was lovely of form and had practised all the sixteen forms of adornment and moved with the grace of an elephant in rut. At the sound of their melodious strains the sages felt obliged to give up their meditation, and Love's own cuckoos were abashed. Their ornaments for the toes and ankles and the charming bangles on their wrists produced a delightful sound keeping tune with their songs.
Doha - 322
Sita in Her native loveliness shone forth among the bevy of ladies as a charming personification of Beauty in the midst of the Graces.
Chaupala -
Sita's elegant form baffles all desciption: so poor is my wit and so surpassing Her charm. When the members of the bridegroom's party saw Sita approach, a veritable storehouse of beauty and spotless in everyway, all greeted Her from the core of their heart. At the sight of Janaki Rama had His heart's desire fulfilled King Dasaratha with all his other sons was filled with delight; the joy of their heart could not be expressed. The gods made obeisance and rained down flowers; while the sages uttered their benedictions, which were the source of all blessings. The songs that the ladies sang, combined with the sound of kettledrums, produced a loud symphony; men and women both were lost in love and rejoicing. In this manner Sita entered the pavilion, while great sages recited propitiatory texts in great joy. The two family preceptors (Vasistha and Satananda) performed all the religious rites and ceremonies and observed the family customs.
Ch - 1-2
Having observed the family customs the Gurus (Vasistha and Satannda) in great joy directed the Brahmanas to worship Goddess Gauri and Her son Ganesa; the gods accepted the homage in visible form and gave their blessing with great delight. Whatever auspicious article such as a mixture of honey etc., the sages mentally sought at any particular moment, attendants stood even ready with gold trays and pitchers full of that substance. The sun-god himself lovingly pointed our the family usages, which were all scrupulously observed. Having thus caused Sita to worship the gods, the assigned Her a beautiful throne. The mutual love with which Sita and Rama regarded each other could not be perceived by anyone. It was beyond the reach of the best mind, intellect and speech; how then, could the poet express it?
Doha - 323
While oblations were offered to the sacred fire, the fire-god in person accepted the offerings with great delight; and the Vedas in the quise of Brahmanas directed the procedure of the nuptial ceremony.
Chaupala -
What words can describe the world-renowned queen-consort of Janaka and Sita's mother? The Creator had exhausted in fashioning her all the bright glory, virtue, joy and beauty perceiving the appropriate time, the sages sent for her; and in reponse to their call married women whose husbands were alive brought her with due honour. Queen Sunayana shone forth to Janaka's left even as Mena beside Himavan(the mountain-king). The king and queen hoyfully brought and placed with their own hands gold vases and beautiful trays of jewels filled with holy, scented and auspicious water before Sri Rama. The sages recited the Veda in joyous tones and at the proper time flowers rained down from the heavens. The royal couple were enraptured to behold the Bridegroom and began to wash His holy feet.
Ch
They began to love Sri Rama' lotus-feet; their whole frame was thrilled with emotion. The sounds of singing and kettledrums and shouts of victory in the heavens as well as in the city overflowed as it were in all direction. The lotus-feet that even ssparkle in the lake of Siva's bosom, by thinking of which even for once the mind gets purified and all the impurities of the Kali age are driven away, by whose touch the sage Gautma's wife, who was full of sin, attained salvation, wholse nectar in the form of the river Ganga adorns Sambhu's head and is declared by the gods as the holiest of the holy, and by resoring to which with their bee-like minds sages and mystics attain the goal of their liking, it is those very feet that the most lucky Janaka washed amidst shouts of victory from all corners. Joining the palms of the Bride and the Bridegroom, both the family priests recited the genealogy, of the two families; and perceving that the Bridegroom had accepted the Brid's hand Brahma and the other divinities as well as men and sages were filled with delight. As the king and queen gazed on the Bridegroom, who was the very fountain of joy, the king and queen gazed on the Bridegroom, who and sages were filled with delight. As the king and queen gazed on the Bridegroom, who was the very fountain of joy the hair on their body stood erect, while their heart was filled with rapture. And having gone through all the rites sanctioned either by the Vedas or by family usage, the glorious King Janaka gave his Daughter to the Bridegroom. As Himavan gave away Girija to the great Lord Siva, and the deity presiding over seas bestowed Sri on Hari, so did Janaka give Sita to Rama and thereby earned fair renown of an unprecedented character. King Videha (Janaka) was uaable to make any supplication, since that Prince (Sri Rama) of swarthy complexion had justified his name (Videha) by making him forget everything about his body. When oblations had been offered to the sacred fire with due rite, the ends of garments of the Bride and the Bridegroom were tied together (as a taken of their indissoluble union) and the couple began to circumambulate the fire (in order to show that the two had been united in the presence of the fire-god as a witness).
Doha - 324
At the sound of the huzzas, the praises sung by the bards, the recitation of the Vedic texts, the din of the festal songs and the beating of kettledrums the wise immortals rejoiced and down flowers from the trees of paradise.
1-5
The Bride and Bridegroom performed the circumambulation with charming paces; while all present feasted their admiring gaze on the spectacle. The lovely couple was beyond description; whatever comparison might be suggestd would fall short of the reality. Lovely image of Rama and Sita were reflectd on the pillars of jewels and shone as if Love and his consort, Rati, witnessed Sri Rama's matchless wedding appearing in numerous forms. Their curiosity and bashfulness were equally great; that is why they revealed themelves and went out of sight again and again. All the spectators were enraptured; like Janaka they forgot all about themselves. Joyously the sages bade the Bride and Bridegroom pace round the fire and accomplished all the rites including the ceremonial gifts, Sri Rama applied the vermilion to Sita's forehead a sight the charm of which was altogether beyond desciption. It seemed as if with a lotus surchargd with reddish pollen a serpent thirsting for nectar decoratd the moon. Then Vasistha gave the direction and the Bride and Bridegroom together on the same seat.
Ch - Chaupala -
Sri Rama and Princess Janaki sat together on a costly seat and King Dasaratha was glad of heart to see thm. Joy thrilled along his veins again and again as he perceived the wish-yielding three of his meritorious deeds bear new fruits. There was rejoicing all over the universe. everyone proclaimed that Sri Rama's wedding had been accomplished. With one tongue how could anyone descibe in full the joy which knew no bounds? Then, receiving Vasistha's order, Janaka sent for the other three princesses, Mandavi, Srutakirti and Urmila, each clad in a bride's attire. The eldest daughter of his younger brother Kusaketu, who was an embodiment of goodness, virtue, joy and beauty, he gave in marriage to Bharata after performing every rite with love. Janaki's younger sister (Urmila), whom he knew to be the creast-jewel of charming girls, janaka gave in marriage to Laksmana with all honour. Finally the bright-eyed and fair-faced princess Srutakirti, who was amine of all virtues and was well-known for her beauty and amiability the king gave to Riqusudana. When each pair of bride and bridegroom saw that they were well-matched with each others they felt shy, but rejoiced in their heart of hearts; everyone joyfully applauded the beauty of each pair, while the gods rained down flowers. All the lovely brides withtheir handsome bridegrooms shone forth in the same pavilion as though the four states of consciousness (viz..,waking, dream sound sleep and absorption into Brahma) with the phase of the soul presiding over each gleamed all at once of the heart of an individual.
Doha - 325
The king of Ayodhya was delighted to see his four sons with their brides, as though that jewel of monarchs had realized the four ends of life, (viz., worldly riches, religious merit, sensuous enjoyment and Liberation) along with the four processes of their realization (viz.,sacrificial performances, piety, practice of Yoga and spiritual exercises).
Chaupala -
All the other princes were married according to the same rites as have been descibed in the case of Sri Rama's marriage. The richness of the dowry was beyond desciption; the whole pavilion was packed with gold and jewels. There were a number of shawls, lines and silk of various colours and designs and of immense value, elephants, chariots, horses, men-servants and maid-servants and cows adorned with ornaments and vying with the cow of plently and many other tings which were more than one could count and defied desciption. They alone who saw the dowry could have some idea of it; even the guardians of the different realms regarded it with envy. The king of Ayodhya gladly accepted it all and gave to the beggars bridegroom's party. Then with joined palms Janaka jonoured the whole bridegrooms's part and spoke in gentle tones.
Ch - Chaupala -
Having honoured the whole bridegroom's party with courtesy, gifts, supplication and compliments, King Janaka joyfully paid his homage to and greeted the great sages after bestowing his loving attention on them. Bowing his head and invoking the gods he addressed them all with joined palms. "Gds and holy men seek one's love alone; can the ocean be propitiated by offering as much water as can be held within one's palms?" Again, with joined palms Janaka and his younger brother (Kusaketu) submitted to the King of Kosala in winning words full of affection, courtesy and sincerity, "By our connection with you, O king, we have now been exalted in every respect; along with this kingdom and all that we possess pray look upon us both as your slaves purchased without any consideration. Taking these girls as your hand-maidents foster them with your unremitting kindness. Pardon me my offence; it was too presumptuous on my part to have called you here." The ornament of the solar race King Dasaratha, in his turn flooded the bride's father with all kinds of honour. The courtesy they showed to each other was past all telling; for their hearts overflowed with love. Hosts of gods rained down flowers and King Dasaratha proceeded to the palace where he and his party had been lodged amidst the crash of kettledrums, shouts of victory and the chanting of Vedic texts. There was much rejoicing both in the heavens and in the city. Then, receiving orders from the chief of sages. Vasisttha, the lovely companions of the brides conducted them along with the bridegrooms to the apartment where the guardian deities of the family had been installed for worship during the wedding days.
Doha - 326
Again and again did Sita gaze on Sri Rama and shrink out of modesty; her heart, however, refused to shrink. Her charming eyes, athirst with love, outshone the fish.
1-5
Rama's swarthy form nasturally graceful; His beauty put to shame millions of Cupids. Dyed with red, His lotus-feet, which ever attracted the bee-like minds of sages, looked most lovely. His sacred and charming yellow loin-cloth outshone the rising sun as well as the lightning. The girdle round His waist together with the sweet-sounding small bells was soul-enchanting; His long arms were adorned with beautiful ornaments. The yellow sacred thread greatly enhanced His charm; while the ring on His finger would ravish all hearts. Beautified with all sorts of wedding adornments He looked most charming; His broad chest was adorned with appropriate ornaments He had a yellow scrf with fringes of pearls and gems slung party under His right armpit and partly across His left shoulder. He had a pair of lotus-like eyes and beautiful pendants dangling from the lobes of his ears; while His countenance was a shorehouse of all comeliness. He had lovely eyebrows and a charming nose; while the sacred mark on His forehead was an abode of loveliness. And His head was adorned with a beautiful wedding crown which had auspicious pearls and gems strung together and woven into it.
Ch
Precious gems had been strung together and woven into the lovely wedding crown and each of His limbs ravished the heart. At the sight of the bridegroom (Sri Rama) to women of the city as well as pretty celestial ladies all tore blades of grass (in order to avert the evil eye). After scattering about Him gems. raiment and ornaments they waved lights around Him and sang festal songs. The gods rained down flowers; while bards, panegyrists and rhapsodists uttered His praises. Married women, whose husbands were alive, happily brought the brides and bridegrooms to the apartment reserved for the tutelary deities, and with festal songs they most lovingly began to perform customary rites. Goddess Gauri Herself taught Rama how of offer a morsel of food to Sita; while Sarada urged Sita to do likewise with Rama. The whole gynaeceum was absorbed in the delight to merry-making; everyone enjoyed the fruit of her birth. In the gems on Her hand Janaki saw the reflection of Sri Rama, the repository of beauty; hence She dared not move Her arm or eyes for fear of losing sight of Him. The rapture and love that charaacterized the gaiety and mirth of the occasion supassed all telling; Sita's companions alone knew them. They escorted all the four charming couples to the palace assigned to King Dasartha and his party. At that moment blessings might be heard on all sides and there was great exultation in the city as well as in the heavens. Everyone exclaimed with a delighted heart, "Long live the four lovely couples!" Great Yogis, Siddhas, eminent sages down flowers and cryingt "Victory, victory, victory" they gladly returned, each to his own realm.
Doha - 327
Then all the four princes with their brides approached their father. It appeared at that time as if the lodgings of the bridegrooms' party overflowed with beauty, felicity and joy.
Chaupala -
Then there was a banquet with a rich variety of dishes, to which Janaka invited all the members of the bridegroom's party. Carpets of incomparable beauty were spread on the way as King Dasaratha sallied forth with sons. The feet of all were reverently washed and then they were seatd on wooden seats according to their rank. Janaka laved the feet of Dasaratha, King of Ayodhya; his courtesy and affection were past telling. He then bathed Sri Rama's lotus-feet, that are enshrined in the lotus-like heart of Siva. Similarly he washed with his own hands the feet of the other three brothers aslo, treating them on a par with Sri Rama. King Janaka assigned an appropriate seat to each quest and sent for all the cooks (for service). Leaves joined together so as to serve for plates were set before the quests with due reverence--leaves which were made of precious stones and had been joined with gold pins.
Doha - 328
Cleaver and polite cooks passed round, and in a trice they served all with cusrry and boiled rice mixed with clarified butter extracted from cows' milk, all of which were pleasing and delicious and had been with purity.
Chaupala -
Taking the five initial morsels as an oblation for the five vital airs the guests commenced dining and were enraptured to hear songs full of raillery. Canfections of various, kinds sweet as ambrosia and more delicious than one could descibe, were served to them. Expert cooks then began to serva a variety of seasoned articles which were too numerous to be named. Of the four categories of food mentioned in the scriptures (viz.,1. that which can be directly swallowed, 2. that which must be masticated before it can be gulped, 3. that which can be licked with the tongue and 4. that which can be sucked) each comprised an indercribable variety of dishes. Similarly there were seasoned dishers of various kinds, having six different flavours, each flavour being exhibited in numberless varieties. As the dinner was in progress, women railed in melodious strains at men and women both, mentioning each by name. Even raillery at an opprtune time is agreeable and welcome; King Dasaratha and his whole party felt amused to hear it. In this way the whole party dined and in the end they were all reverently supplied with water to rinse their mouth with.
Doha - 329
Offering betel-leaves in due form. Janaka paid his homage to King Dasaratha and his company; and the crown of all monarchs, Dasaratha, retired to his own appartments with a cheerful heart.
Chaupala -
Everyday there was a new festival in the city; days and nights passed like a moment. The jewel of king, Dasaratha, woke up at a very early hour; and mendicants began to sing his praises. As he gazed upon the princes with their beautiful brides, the rapture of his soul was beyond all telling. Having finished his morning rountine he called on his Guru with a heart full exultation and love. Making obeisance to him and paying him his homage the king with joined palms addressed him in a voice steeped as it were in nectar, " Listen, O chief sages: by your grace I have realized all my ambitions today. Now summoning all the Brahmanas, O holy sir, present them with cows adorned in everyway." On hearing these words the preceptor applauded the king and then sent for the troops of sages.
Doha - 330
Then came Vamadeva, the celestial sage narada, Valmki, Jabali, Visvamitra and hosts of other great sages given to austerities.
The king threw himself upon the ground before them all and worshipping them with love offered them seats of honour. Next he sent for four lakhs of cows, all as gentle and beautiful as the cow of plenty; and adorning them all in every possible way he gladly bestowed them upon the Brahmanas. The king supplicated them in many ways and said, " It is only today that I have attained the fruit of my existence." The delight of the solar race was glad to receive their blessings and then sent for beggars and bestowed on them, according to their liking, gold, wearing apparel, jewels, horses, elephants and chariots. Singing the king's praises and saying, " Glory, glory, all glory to the lord of the solar race!" wedding was more than the thousand-mouthed serpent-king could not tell.