Shloka 1.73.36

त्रिसप्ततितमः सर्गः (Sarga 73): Mithilā Vivāha—Kanyādāna and the Fourfold Marriage Rites

Devanagari script

अग्निं प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य वेदिं राजानमेव च।ऋषींश्चैव महात्मानस्सभार्या रघुसत्तमा:।।।।यथोक्तेन तदा चक्रुर्विवाहं विधिपूर्वकम्।

Transliteration

agniṁ pradakṣiṇīkṛtya vediṁ rājānam eva ca | ṛṣīṁś caiva mahātmānaḥ sabhāryā raghusattamāḥ || yathoktena tadā cakrur vivāhaṁ vidhipūrvakam ||

Translation

Then the great princes of the Raghu line, accompanied by their wives, circumambulated the sacred fire, the altar, the king, and the venerable sages; and, exactly as instructed, they performed the marriage rites in full accordance with rule and scripture.

Context

The great, noble princes of the race of Raghu, accompanied by their wives circumambulated the altar of the sacred fire. King Janaka and the sages in obedienceto the directions of Vasishta and in accordance with the sastras conducted the matrimonial.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa
• Bharata
• Śatrughna
• Sītā
• Urmilā
• Māṇḍavī
• Śrutakīrti
• Agni (sacred fire)
• Vedi (altar)
• Janaka
• Ṛṣis (sages)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma is the disciplined performance of sacred obligations: marriage is sanctified with Agni as witness and carried out exactly according to injunctions (vidhi) and truthful adherence to instruction (yathokta).

What is the narrative situation?

The wedding ritual proceeds: the couples circumambulate fire and altar, honoring king and sages, completing the prescribed ceremony.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Ritual integrity and obedience—steadfast commitment to right procedure and reverence for elders and sacred elements.