Marriage of Sita with Rama
part II
from Chapter 73 of Balakandam of Valmikiramayanam....
continued from the earlier post ...
Bhagavan Vasishata agreed heartily to the request of Janaka to prepare the holy dais where the solemn marriage is to be conducted.. He set out to prepare the grounds, assigning the greatest importance to Sage Visvamitra and seeking his directions too and after seeking the views of the well versed Sage Satanada the family priest of king Janaka
Vasishta chose the raised ground as dais in a prominent area right in the middle of the Yajna groud for the conduct of marriage. He personally decorated the place all around with the most beautiful and fragrant flowers.
The ground was prepared following meticulously the the rules of Smriti and Sashtras. Very large plates of pure Gold were placed around and they were filled with all auspicious and attractive materials. Kumbhams or pots of gold decorated with pictures and having the tender leaves of mango arranged at their mouths were arranged around in large numbers. Golden troughs with fresh clay with various grains sprouting..( having been nurtured by milk .. ankuraas prepared by elder ladies in deference to the gods ruling the eight cardinal directions…) were reverentially placed in a prominent area. Very large urns with burning incense spreading the fragrant smoke all around were arranged in a way that their fragrance covered the entire area of celebration.
Many vessels for worship, shaped like conches were made avaialbe.. The wooden ladles called Sruvas and Srugs for offering oblations to the holy fire were put to use in large numberss. Numerous vessels filled with clean and sanctified water to be used for ablusions and other sacred rituals were made available. Innumerable vessels filled with holy akshata.. the grains coloured with turmeric.. to be used to bless the couple and the occasion were ready at hand. There were huge containers with puffed grains.. Laajam to be offered to the sacred fire.
Vasishta the learned sage brought in large amount of darbha grass to be used for the rituals. The best quality darbha, all cut with great symmetry were arranged all around.. according to the dictates of the Scriptures and in accompaniment to chant of proper vedic chants..
The Purohita..Sage Vasishta.. himself prepared the holy fire for the marriage ritual, following the vedic procedurs, and accompanied by the chant of Vedas all around.
And the sage Vasishta, Bhagavan himself, who was shining in all his glory, offered oblations to the fire in great detail and with great reverence..
Then that beautiful Girl Seetha was brought to the dais. She was decorated in all beautiful ornaments. She looked just as if she were Goddess Lakshmi who had just left her place in the bosom of Vishnu and had come on to the stage.. Laskmi incarnate as iti who had just left her lotus flower and come down to woo Rama..
She shone forth as if lightning emanated from her. She glanced all around coyly with her wide eyes .. She was attractive with bluish dark long thick curly hair..
She wore a silken saree light yellow in colour, and decorated on the borders with the designs of golden swans..
She wore an upper garment of silk, dark red in colour.. and dipped in the most fragrant materials
Then, the bride Sita was brought into the dais.. mandapam and was formally led to stand in front of Rama the Raghava.. in a pose befitting the solemn occasion.
Then king Janaka addressed Rama, the one whose presence always multiplied the happiness of mother Kausalya.
“ Rama, this Sita is my daughter.. She will be your partner in life observing all the dharmas in your company for ever in this life.. May you hold her hands with your hands, with all desire and affection. She is beholden to the vow of being faithful to you as her husband.. She is fortunate beyond words. She will accompany you everywhere as if she is just your shadow. “
Saying this Janaka poured down holy waters sanctified by vedic mantras on earth.. And as the waters touched the ground, greeting voices, welcoming the union of the Divine couple arose from all who were stationed in the heavens and on the earth.
साधु साध्विति देवानामृषीणां वदतां तदा॥३२
Greeting chants arose from the Gods and the Sages .. assembled in large numbers and witnessing the solemn function
The Gods in heavens beat the huge drums .. dundubhi.. and they showered flowers from the skies in huge quantities.
After giving Sita in marriage to Rama, Janaka, filled with delight, addressed Lakshmana..
“Lakshmana, please come forward and receive the hands of Urmila. May blessedness visit you. Let there be no delay in the celebrations.”
The Janaka turned to prince Bharatha and told him
“Bharatha, you the scion of Raghu Race, please hold the hands of Maandavi.. my brothers daughter..
And Janaka told Shatrughna.. “ You Shatrughna of very strong hands, pleas receive the hands of my brothers daughter Shrutakeerthi”
Let the marriage be consummated without any delay.. May all the four of you of great conduct and character be happy with your wives for ever ..Said Janaka.
The four princes, standing eagerly for the directions of Sage Vasishta and having received his consent, formally touched and held the hands of their respective brides.
Holding the hands of their brides, they did pradakshinam to the holy fire, their father, the king and the congregation of the great sages.
And after this Paanigrhana ceremony, the marriage functions was conducted as per Vedic rites by the sages led by Dasarathas purohita.. Bhagavan Vasishta.
The function was consummated by doing pradakshinam around the fire three times.
The gods from heaven showered flowers of bright colours. The kettledrums of heaven beat to songs and dances. The divine damsels dances.. The gandharvas sang sweet songs.
Then the princes, alighted their chariots in the company of their brides and went on a processon in the city.
The happy father Dasharatha also followed them happily.
The sages and the ministers too joined the procession.
Note
I was so happy to read this chapter of Valmikiramayanam. It is the union of the Divine couple.. It is also a piece of literature where we witness a happy marriage being celebrated in all its grandeur and solmnity..
link to part I of this post
तथेत्युक्त्वा तु जनकं वसिष्ठो भगवानृषिः।
विश्वामित्रं पुरस्कृत्य शतानन्दं च धार्मिकम्। २१
प्रपामद्ध्ये तु विधिवद्वेदिं कृत्वा महातपाः।
अलञ्चकार तां वेदिं गन्धपुष्पैः समन्ततः॥२२
सुवर्णपालिकाभिश्च चित्रकुंभैश्च साङ्कुरैः।
अङ्कुराड्यैः शरावैश्च धूम्रपात्रैः सधूपकैः॥२३
शङ्खपात्रैः स्रुवः स्रुग्भिः पात्रैरर्घ्याभिपूरितैः।
लाजपूर्णैश्च पात्रीभिरक्षतैरभिसंस्कृतैः॥२४
दर्भैः समैः समातीर्य विधिवन्मन्त्रपूर्वकम्।
अग्निमाधाय वेद्याम् तु विधिमन्त्रपुरस्कृतम्।
जुहुवाग्नौ महातेजा वसिष्ठो भगवानृषिः॥२५
ततः सीतां समानीय सर्वाभरणभूषिताम्।
श्रियं पद्मवियुक्तां वै केशवाङ्कच्युतामिव॥२६
विद्युत्प्रभां विशालक्षीं नीलकुञ्चितमूर्धजां॥२७
हंसाङ्कितेन क्षौमेन किञ्चित् पीतेन संवृताम्।
वासितेनत्तरीयेणा सुरक्तेन सुसंवृताम्॥२८
समक्षमग्ने संस्थाप्य राघवाभिमुखे तदा।
अब्रवीज्जनको राजा कौसल्यानन्दवर्द्धनम्॥२९
इयं सीता मम सुता सहधर्मचरी तव।
प्रतीच्छ चैनां भद्रं ते पाणिं गृह्णीष्व पाणिना।३०
पतिव्रता महाभागा छायेवानुगता तव।
इतुक्त्वा प्राक्षिपद्राजा मन्त्रपूतं जलं तदा॥३१
प्रक्षिप्ते सलिले भूमौ गगने चोत्थिताः स्वनाः।
साधु साध्विति देवानामृषीणां वदतां तदा॥३२
देवदुन्दुभिनिर्घोषः पुष्पवृष्टिर्महानभूत्॥३३
एवं दत्वा तदा सीतां मन्त्रोदकपुरस्कृताम्।
अब्रवीज्जनको राजा हर्षेणाभिपरिप्ळुतः॥३४
लक्ष्मणागच्छ भद्रं ते ऊर्मिळामुद्यतां मया।
प्रतीच्छ पाणिं गृह्णीष्व मा भूत् कालस्य पर्ययः॥३५
तमेवकुक्त्वा जनको भरतं चाभ्यभाषत।
गृहाण पाणिं माण्डव्याः पाणिना रघुनन्दन॥३६
शत्रुघ्नं चापि धर्मात्मा अब्रवीज्जनकेश्वरः।
श्रुतकीर्त्या महाबाहो पाणिंगृह्णिष्व पाणिना॥३७
सर्वे भवन्तः सौम्याश्च सर्वे सुचरितव्रताः।
पत्नीभिः सन्तु काकुत्स्थाः मा भूत् कालस्य पर्ययः॥३८
जनकस्य वचः श्रुत्वा पाणीन् पाणिभिरस्पृशन्।
चत्वारस्ते चतसृणां वसिष्ठस्य मते स्थिताः॥३९
अग्निं प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य वेदिं राजानमेव च।
ऋषींश्चैव महात्मानः सभार्याः रघुसत्तमाः।
यथोक्तेन तदा चक्रुर्विवाहं विधिपूर्वकम्॥४०
काकुत्स्थाश्च गृहीतेषु लळितेषु च पाणिषु।
पुष्पवृष्टिर्महत्यासीदन्तरिक्षात् सुभास्वरा।
दिव्यदुन्दुभिनिर्घोषैर्गीतवादित्रनिस्वनैः॥४१
ननृतुश्चाप्सरस्सङ्घाः गन्धर्वाश्च जगुः कलम्।
विवाहे रघुमुख्यानां तदद्भुतमिवाभवत्॥४२
ईदृशे वर्तमाने तु तूर्योद्घुष्टनिनादिते।
त्रिरग्निं ते परिक्रम्य ऊहुर्भार्या महौजसः॥४३
अथोपकार्यां जग्मुस्ते सदारा रघुनन्दनाः।
स्वानि यानानि चारोप्य तां पुरीं प्रययुस्तदा॥४४
प्रीयमाणो दशरथः पुत्रान् पुत्रवताम् वरः।
राजा।प्यनुययौ पश्यन् सर्षिसङ्घैः सबान्धवः॥४५
इयार्षे श्रीमद्वाल्मीकीये रामायणे आदिकाव्ये बालकाण्डे सर्गः ७३
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