Tuesday, January 11, 2011

The Marriage of Sri Ram & Sita, Baal Kaand of Shri Ram Charit Manas-5

Do.: puni puni råmahi citava siya sakucati manu sakucai na,

harata manohara mina chabi prema piåse naina.326.

Sita ji Lovingly Gazes at Sri Ram

Again and again Sita lovingly gazed at Lord Råma and was self-conscious but her heart refused to shy away. It ardently longed to see the moonlike beauty of her beloved, and her eyes thirsting for love outshone the captivating fish.


Råma's dark-hued form was naturally graceful and the beauty of His limbs put millions of Cupids to shame.


Sri Ram's Lotus Feet

His lotus feet stained with mahavar (a scarlet dye used to stain the feet of married couples) wherein the capricious bee like minds of sages forever wander, looked lovelier.


The Glorious Shri Ram

His sacred pitambar or yellow silken clothes outshone the rising sun and lightning.The girdle round His waist adorned with a zone of bells was most enchanting. His long arms were adorned with beautiful ornaments like armlets and metal bracelets.The yellow brahmanical sacred thread greatly enhanced His charm while the ring on His finger seemed to be enchanting the heart. He was decked with all sorts of wedding embellishments; an ornament to be worn over the heart, beautified His broad chest. A yellow upper garment which had gems and pearls tacked on to both its ends, was draped over his shoulders.


The Immensely Attractive Shri Ram

He had lotus-like eyes and beautiful kundals (large hoop like earrings) dangling from his ears while there was a beautiful tilak (sectarian mark) on His forehead. His head was adorned with the lovely maurh (a crown worn by a bridegroom at marriage) which was studded with pearls, gems and other precious stones.


Shri Ram Passionately Draws our Hearts

All of His soft limbs passionately drew the heart. On sighting the Bridegroom (Lord Råma) women of the city as well as celestial ladies plucked blades of grass (in order to avert the evil eye). After scattering ornaments, clothing and gems( which had been passed over Rama to ward off evil), the women did arti and sang festive songs.The gods rained down flowers whereas minstrels sang His glories.


Married Women Sing Festal Songs

After having brought the brides and bridegrooms to the kohbar (room in which the family deities are kept at the time of marriage), and performing customary rites, married women sang festal songs with loving tenderness.


Goddess Gauri

The marriage rite of lahkaur (in which the groom and bride put food in each other's mouths) was taught by Goddess Gauri to Råma


Goddess Sharada

and Goddess Shåradå to Sitå. Absorbed in relishing the joyous merriment, everyone in the gynaeceum was regarding his own birth as fruitful.


Shri Ram & Janaki

In the gems adorning Her hand, Jånaki saw the reflection of Lord Råma, the repository of beauty. She did not dare to move Her arms for fear of losing sight of Him. The wile, amusement, rapture and tender love of Sita ji at that point of time can not be expressed. Solely her sakhis knew of Her ecstatic state.


As soon as assembled sakhis escorted the four grooms with their brides to the janvasa or palace allotted to King Dasaratha and his party, enthused blessings of, “Long live the four lovely couples!” were heard from all directions of the city and the heavens. On beholding Shri Ramchandra ji, yogis, siddhas, eminent sages and the gods beat kettledrums and rained down flowers. After giving benedictions, the gods went to their respective realms.


Soon after, all the four princes approached their father along with their brides. It appeared as if the janvasa (lodgings of the bridegroom's party) abounded with beauty, auspiciousness and joyous abandon, at that point of time.


The bridegroom's party was welcomed with various spreads of sumptuous banquets (as at a wedding) at Janaka ji's place.

Dasaratha, the King of Ayodhya

With his own hands Janaka washed the feet of Dasaratha, the king of Ayodhya, Rama and his three other brothers. As the feast was on in full swing, the women sang melodiously and even raillery seemed welcome at the opportune time of marriage.


Do.: dei påna puje janaka dasarathu sahita samåja,

janavåsehi gavane mudita sakala bhupa siratåja.329.

Offering betel-leaves, Janaka, the ruler of Mithila, paid homage to King Dasaratha, the monarch of Awadh, and his social group. Thereafter Dasaratha cheerfully retired to his apartments.


Marriage Procession of Rama and Sita

The celebrations of Shri Ram's wedding ceremony are truly extraordinary. Sages and poets have tried to describe the joyous festivities in several ways. The summarised version given above has been written on the basis of Mahatma Tulsidas ji's words. By devoutly narrating or listening to this account, the auspicious desires of mankind are said to be easily fulfilled.

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