Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 73, Shloka 24
त्रिसप्ततितमः सर्गः (Sarga 73): Mithilā Vivāha
Kanyādāna and the Fourfold Marriage Rites
दर्भैस्समैस्समास्तीर्य विधिवन्मन्त्रपूर्वकम्।अग्निमादाय वेद्यां तु विधिमन्त्रपुरस्कृतम्।।।।जुहावाग्नौ महातेजा वसिष्ठो भगवानृषि:।
darbhais samais samāstīrya vidhivan mantrapūrvakam |
agnim ādāya vedyāṃ tu vidhimantrapuraskṛtam ||
juhāva agnau mahātejā vasiṣṭho bhagavān ṛṣiḥ || 1.73.24 ||
ついで、作法にかなってダルバ草（darbha）を等しく敷き、真言を先として、尊く光り輝く聖仙ヴァシシュタ（Vasiṣṭha）は祭壇に火を安置した。さらに定められた真言に導かれ、その火中へ供物を捧げた。
Brilliant and worshipful rishi Vasishta chanted, mantras according to tradition, put the darbha grass of equal proportions around the altar, placed the fire on the altar, recitedthe mantras from the scriptures and offered oblations into the flame.
FAQs
Dharma is adherence to sacred discipline: mantras and correctly prepared materials sanctify action, making the rite truthful, accountable, and socially binding.
The sacred fire is installed on the altar and the homa begins under Vasiṣṭha’s direction, marking the formal start of the marriage-sacrament.
Vasiṣṭha’s authoritative steadiness—he embodies the continuity of Vedic tradition and ensures the rite proceeds correctly.