Prakarana 36

Verse 736 (चौपाई)

चारि सिंघासन सहज सुहाए। जनु मनोज निज हाथ बनाए।। तिन्ह पर कुअँरि कुअँर बैठारे। सादर पाय पुनित पखारे।। धूप दीप नैबेद बेद बिधि। पूजे बर दुलहिनि मंगलनिधि।। बारहिं बार आरती करहीं। ब्यजन चारु चामर सिर ढरहीं।। बस्तु अनेक निछावर होहीं। भरीं प्रमोद मातु सब सोहीं।। पावा परम तत्व जनु जोगीं। अमृत लहेउ जनु संतत रोगीं।। जनम रंक जनु पारस पावा। अंधहि लोचन लाभु सुहावा।। मूक बदन जनु सारद छाई। मानहुँ समर सूर जय पाई।।

Four thrones, lovely to behold, stood there, as if Kamadeva himself had fashioned them with his own hands. Upon them the princes and princesses were seated; with reverence their feet were washed and made holy. With incense, lamps, food offerings, and Vedic rites, the bridegrooms and the brides, who are treasure-houses of auspiciousness, were worshipped. Twelve times they performed the arati ceremony; beautiful fans and yak-tail whisks were waved over their heads. Countless gifts were bestowed; the mothers, filled with joy, looked on with delight. It was as if a yogi had attained the Supreme Truth, or as if one perpetually diseased had obtained the nectar of immortality. It was as if one born a pauper had found the philosopher's stone, or as if a blind man had gained the blessing of sight. It was as if the mute had received the gift of eloquence from Saraswati, or as if a warrior had won victory in battle.

Verse 737 (दोहा/सोरठा)

एहि सुख ते सत कोटि गुन पावहिं मातु अनंदु। भाइन्ह सहित बिआहि घर आए रघुकुलचंदु।।350(क)।। लोक रीत जननी करहिं बर दुलहिनि सकुचाहिं। मोदु बिनोदु बिलोकि बड़ रामु मनहिं मुसकाहिं।।350(ख)।।

From this joy the mothers obtained a hundred million times greater bliss. Along with their brothers, the moon of the Raghu race returned home with his bride. According to worldly custom, the mothers teased the new brides, who felt shy. Seeing the great Rama, they rejoiced and made merry, while Rama smiled within his heart.

Verse 738 (चौपाई)

देव पितर पूजे बिधि नीकी। पूजीं सकल बासना जी की।। सबहिं बंदि मागहिं बरदाना। भाइन्ह सहित राम कल्याना।। अंतरहित सुर आसिष देहीं। मुदित मातु अंचल भरि लेंहीं।। भूपति बोलि बराती लीन्हे। जान बसन मनि भूषन दीन्हे।। आयसु पाइ राखि उर रामहि। मुदित गए सब निज निज धामहि।। पुर नर नारि सकल पहिराए। घर घर बाजन लगे बधाए।। जाचक जन जाचहि जोइ जोई। प्रमुदित राउ देहिं सोइ सोई।। सेवक सकल बजनिआ नाना। पूरन किए दान सनमाना।।

They worshipped the gods and the ancestors with proper rites; they fulfilled every desire of their hearts. Having bowed to all, they sought blessings: may Rama and his brothers ever prosper. The gods, though unseen, gave their blessings; the joyful mothers received them with folded hands. The king called the wedding guests and took them in; knowing their needs, he gave them garments, jewels, and ornaments. Having received the command and keeping Rama in their hearts, all returned joyfully to their own homes. The men and women of the city all put on fine clothes; in every house the instruments of celebration began to play. Whatever the suppliants asked for, that very thing the joyful king gave them. All the servants received various gifts; the king completed his gifts and showed them honor.

Verse 739 (दोहा/सोरठा)

देंहिं असीस जोहारि सब गावहिं गुन गन गाथ। तब गुर भूसुर सहित गृहँ गवनु कीन्ह नरनाथ।।351।।

All offered blessings and salutations, and sang songs of countless virtues. Then the Lord of men, with his preceptor and the Brahmins, took leave of the household.

Verse 740 (चौपाई)

जो बसिष्ठ अनुसासन दीन्ही। लोक बेद बिधि सादर कीन्ही।। भूसुर भीर देखि सब रानी। सादर उठीं भाग्य बड़ जानी।। पाय पखारि सकल अन्हवाए। पूजि भली बिधि भूप जेवाँए।। आदर दान प्रेम परिपोषे। देत असीस चले मन तोषे।। बहु बिधि कीन्हि गाधिसुत पूजा। नाथ मोहि सम धन्य न दूजा।। कीन्हि प्रसंसा भूपति भूरी। रानिन्ह सहित लीन्हि पग धूरी।। भीतर भवन दीन्ह बर बासु। मन जोगवत रह नृप रनिवासू।। पूजे गुर पद कमल बहोरी। कीन्हि बिनय उर प्रीति न थोरी।।

Whatever instruction Vashishtha had given, the king carried out with reverence, in accordance with the Vedas and the proper order. Seeing all the queens filled with joy, the Brahmins rose with respect, knowing their great good fortune. They washed their feet and dismissed all fatigue; they honored them well and the king feasted them. With honor, gifts, and affectionate care, they gave blessings and departed, their hearts satisfied. In many ways the son of Gadhi performed worship; "O Lord, there is none else as blessed as I." The king praised him abundantly; together with the queens, he took the dust of his feet. He gave them fine lodgings within the palace; the king remained devoted in heart to the sage's presence. Again he worshipped the guru's lotus feet and made entreaty, with no small love in his heart.

Verse 741 (दोहा/सोरठा)

बधुन्ह समेत कुमार सब रानिन्ह सहित महीसु। पुनि पुनि बंदत गुर चरन देत असीस मुनीसु।।352।।

Together with the brides, all the princes, and the queens, the king again and again bows at the guru's feet, while the lord of sages gives blessings.

Verse 742 (चौपाई)

बिनय कीन्हि उर अति अनुरागें। सुत संपदा राखि सब आगें।। नेगु मागि मुनिनायक लीन्हा। आसिरबादु बहुत बिधि दीन्हा।। उर धरि रामहि सीय समेता। हरषि कीन्ह गुर गवनु निकेता।। बिप्रबधू सब भूप बोलाई। चैल चारु भूषन पहिराई।। बहुरि बोलाइ सुआसिनि लीन्हीं। रुचि बिचारि पहिरावनि दीन्हीं।। नेगी नेग जोग सब लेहीं। रुचि अनुरुप भूपमनि देहीं।। प्रिय पाहुने पूज्य जे जाने। भूपति भली भाँति सनमाने।। देव देखि रघुबीर बिबाहू। बरषि प्रसून प्रसंसि उछाहू।।

He made entreaty with great love in his heart, placing his sons and wealth all before him. He asked for a wedding gift and accepted it from the lord of sages; he received blessings in many ways. Bearing Rama and Sita in his heart, he rejoiced and took leave of his guru to return home. He summoned all the Brahmin ladies and dressed them in fine garments and beautiful ornaments. Again he called the married women and took them; considering what would please them, he gave them garments to wear. The wedding guests received all appropriate gifts; the king gave what suited their liking. Those who knew the dear guests to be worthy of honor, the king honored them well. Seeing the marriage of the Lord of the Raghus, the gods rained down flowers and praised him with exultation.

Verse 743 (दोहा/सोरठा)

चले निसान बजाइ सुर निज निज पुर सुख पाइ। कहत परसपर राम जसु प्रेम न हृदयँ समाइ।।353।।

The gods departed, playing their instruments, each returning to his own city with joy. They spoke to one another of Rama's fame, their hearts unable to contain their love.

Verse 744 (चौपाई)

सब बिधि सबहि समदि नरनाहू। रहा हृदयँ भरि पूरि उछाहू।। जहँ रनिवासु तहाँ पगु धारे। सहित बहूटिन्ह कुअँर निहारे।। लिए गोद करि मोद समेता। को कहि सकइ भयउ सुखु जेता।। बधू सप्रेम गोद बैठारीं। बार बार हियँ हरषि दुलारीं।। देखि समाजु मुदित रनिवासू। सब कें उर अनंद कियो बासू।। कहेउ भूप जिमि भयउ बिबाहू। सुनि हरषु होत सब काहू।। जनक राज गुन सीलु बड़ाई। प्रीति रीति संपदा सुहाई।। बहुबिधि भूप भाट जिमि बरनी। रानीं सब प्रमुदित सुनि करनी।।

In every way the lord of men showed honor to all; his heart remained filled to overflowing with joy. Wherever the women's quarters were, there he set his feet; together with the brides he gazed upon the princes. He took them in his arms with delight; who can tell how much happiness there was? The brides lovingly seated them in their laps; again and again they clasped them to their hearts in joy. Seeing the gathering, the women of the palace were delighted; joy made its home in everyone's heart. The king told how the marriage had taken place; hearing it, joy arose in everyone. King Janaka's virtues, character, and greatness, his love, his customs, and his wealth were all beauteous. In many ways the king described it as bards might sing; all the queens heard it and rejoiced in the telling.

Verse 745 (दोहा/सोरठा)

सुतन्ह समेत नहाइ नृप बोलि बिप्र गुर ग्याति। भोजन कीन्ह अनेक बिधि घरी पंच गइ राति।।354।।

The king bathed together with his sons, and having called the brahmins, the preceptors and the kinsmen, he fed them in many ways; the night passed in five watches.

Verse 746 (चौपाई)

मंगलगान करहिं बर भामिनि। भै सुखमूल मनोहर जामिनि।। अँचइ पान सब काहूँ पाए। स्त्रग सुगंध भूषित छबि छाए।। रामहि देखि रजायसु पाई। निज निज भवन चले सिर नाई।। प्रेम प्रमोद बिनोदु बढ़ाई। समउ समाजु मनोहरताई।। कहि न सकहि सत सारद सेसू। बेद बिरंचि महेस गनेसू।। सो मै कहौं कवन बिधि बरनी। भूमिनागु सिर धरइ कि धरनी।। नृप सब भाँति सबहि सनमानी। कहि मृदु बचन बोलाई रानी।। बधू लरिकनीं पर घर आईं। राखेहु नयन पलक की नाई।।

Fair Brahmin women sang auspicious songs, and the delightful night became the very root of joy. Betel leaf was distributed to all; the whole place was filled with fragrance and adorned with surpassing beauty. Having beheld Rama, all were satisfied; bowing their heads, they departed to their own homes. Love, gladness and mirth increased; the hour and the assembly grew ever more enchanting. Shesha with his thousand hoods, Brahma, Shiva, Ganesha, the Vedas, and the goddess of learning cannot tell it fully. How then shall I describe it? Does the serpent of the earth bear the world upon his head, or does the earth bear him? The king honored everyone in every way, and with gentle words he called the queens. The brides had come as young girls to their new home; he cherished them like the pupils of his own eyes.

Verse 747 (दोहा/सोरठा)

लरिका श्रमित उनीद बस सयन करावहु जाइ। अस कहि गे बिश्रामगृहँ राम चरन चितु लाइ।।355।।

"The children are weary and drowsy; go and put them to bed." Thus speaking, he went to his resting chambers, his mind fixed on Rama's feet.

Verse 748 (चौपाई)

भूप बचन सुनि सहज सुहाए। जरित कनक मनि पलँग डसाए।। सुभग सुरभि पय फेन समाना। कोमल कलित सुपेतीं नाना।। उपबरहन बर बरनि न जाहीं। स्त्रग सुगंध मनिमंदिर माहीं।। रतनदीप सुठि चारु चँदोवा। कहत न बनइ जान जेहिं जोवा।। सेज रुचिर रचि रामु उठाए। प्रेम समेत पलँग पौढ़ाए।। अग्या पुनि पुनि भाइन्ह दीन्ही। निज निज सेज सयन तिन्ह कीन्ही।। देखि स्याम मृदु मंजुल गाता। कहहिं सप्रेम बचन सब माता।। मारग जात भयावनि भारी। केहि बिधि तात ताड़का मारी।।

Hearing the king's words, they were naturally delighted; golden beds were spread, studded with jewels. They were lovely and fragrant, white like the foam of milk, soft and well-made in various designs. Their coverlets were of the finest quality, beyond description; the jeweled chambers were filled with fragrance. Jeweled lamps and beautiful canopies were there; it cannot be told, for who has the power to know it all? Rama was lifted up and placed upon a splendid bed; with love he was laid upon the couch. Again and again the brothers were given leave; then they retired to their own beds. Seeing the dark and tender, lovely body of Rama, all the mothers spoke words full of love. As he went on his way, the forest was terrible; by what means, dear child, did you slay Tadaka?

Verse 749 (दोहा/सोरठा)

घोर निसाचर बिकट भट समर गनहिं नहिं काहु। मारे सहित सहाय किमि खल मारीच सुबाहु।।356।।

The night-wanderers were fierce and the forest wild; the hosts in battle were not to be faced by anyone. How did you slay the wicked Maricha and Subahu together with their helpers?

Verse 750 (चौपाई)

मुनि प्रसाद बलि तात तुम्हारी। ईस अनेक करवरें टारी।। मख रखवारी करि दुहुँ भाई। गुरु प्रसाद सब बिद्या पाई।। मुनितय तरी लगत पग धूरी। कीरति रही भुवन भरि पूरी।। कमठ पीठि पबि कूट कठोरा। नृप समाज महुँ सिव धनु तोरा।। बिस्व बिजय जसु जानकि पाई। आए भवन ब्याहि सब भाई।। सकल अमानुष करम तुम्हारे। केवल कौसिक कृपाँ सुधारे।। आजु सुफल जग जनमु हमारा। देखि तात बिधुबदन तुम्हारा।। जे दिन गए तुम्हहि बिनु देखें। ते बिरंचि जनि पारहिं लेखें।।

By the sage's grace, O father, you have conquered many Ishvaras and cast them down. Protecting the sacrifice, the two brothers performed their task; by the guru's grace they obtained all knowledge. They ever clung to the dust of the sage's feet; their fame filled the whole world. They broke Shiva's mighty bow in the assembly of kings, as one breaks a reed or a hard shell. Having won world-wide renown, they returned home; all the brothers were married. All your deeds are superhuman; only by Kushika's grace were they accomplished. Today our birth in this world is fulfilled, on beholding your moon-like face, O father. The days that passed without seeing you, may Brahma count them as so many ages.

Verse 751 (दोहा/सोरठा)

राम प्रतोषीं मातु सब कहि बिनीत बर बैन। सुमिरि संभु गुर बिप्र पद किए नीदबस नैन।।357।।

Rama pleased his mothers with all humility and gracious words, and bowing at the feet of Shiva, his guru, and the brahmins, he closed his eyes in sleep.

Verse 752 (चौपाई)

नीदउँ बदन सोह सुठि लोना। मनहुँ साँझ सरसीरुह सोना।। घर घर करहिं जागरन नारीं। देहिं परसपर मंगल गारीं।। पुरी बिराजति राजति रजनी। रानीं कहहिं बिलोकहु सजनी।। सुंदर बधुन्ह सासु लै सोई। फनिकन्ह जनु सिरमनि उर गोई।। प्रात पुनीत काल प्रभु जागे। अरुनचूड़ बर बोलन लागे।। बंदि मागधन्हि गुनगन गाए। पुरजन द्वार जोहारन आए।। बंदि बिप्र सुर गुर पितु माता। पाइ असीस मुदित सब भ्राता।। जननिन्ह सादर बदन निहारे। भूपति संग द्वार पगु धारे।।

His face shone wondrously in sleep, like a lotus at evening closing its petals. In every house the women kept vigil, singing auspicious songs to one another. The city was radiant in the night; the queens said, "Look, dear friends, at the fair bridegroom." The mother-in-law took the beautiful bridegroom to her heart, as the Shesha serpent enfolds the gem upon his head. At the holy hour of dawn the Lord awoke, and the fair-crested parrots began to speak. The bards sang his praises; the citizens came to the door to pay homage. Bowing to the brahmins, the gods, the guru, father and mother, and receiving blessings, all the brothers rejoiced. The mothers gazed lovingly at his face; with the king he stood at the door.

Verse 753 (दोहा/सोरठा)

कीन्ह सौच सब सहज सुचि सरित पुनीत नहाइ। प्रातक्रिया करि तात पहिं आए चारिउ भाइ।।358।।

He performed his ablutions with natural purity, bathing in the sacred river, and having done his morning rites, the four brothers came before their father.

Verse 754 (चौपाई)

भूप बिलोकि लिए उर लाई। बैठै हरषि रजायसु पाई।। देखि रामु सब सभा जुड़ानी। लोचन लाभ अवधि अनुमानी।। पुनि बसिष्टु मुनि कौसिक आए। सुभग आसनन्हि मुनि बैठाए।। सुतन्ह समेत पूजि पद लागे। निरखि रामु दोउ गुर अनुरागे।। कहहिं बसिष्टु धरम इतिहासा। सुनहिं महीसु सहित रनिवासा।। मुनि मन अगम गाधिसुत करनी। मुदित बसिष्ट बिपुल बिधि बरनी।। बोले बामदेउ सब साँची। कीरति कलित लोक तिहुँ माची।। सुनि आनंदु भयउ सब काहू। राम लखन उर अधिक उछाहू।।

The king took them to his heart at sight of them, and sat rejoicing, having obtained his heart's desire. Seeing Rama, the whole assembly was filled with gladness, deeming the sight a boundless gain. Then Vashishtha and the sage Kushika came; the sages were seated on fair seats. With their sons they worshipped the sages' feet; both gurus gazed upon Rama with love. Vashishtha recounted the history of righteousness; the king and the queens listened. The deeds of Gadhi's son were beyond the sages' thought; the joyful Vashishtha described them at length. Vamadeva said, "All this is true; his fame has spread throughout the three worlds." Hearing this, all were filled with joy; in the hearts of Rama and Lakshmana there was great exultation.

Verse 755 (दोहा/सोरठा)

मंगल मोद उछाह नित जाहिं दिवस एहि भाँति। उमगी अवध अनंद भरि अधिक अधिक अधिकाति।।359।।

Day after day passed in auspicious joy and gladness in this manner. Ayodhya was filled with bliss, and delight grew ever greater and greater.