Prakarana 35

Verse 716 (चौपाई)

नृप करि बिनय महाजन फेरे। सादर सकल मागने टेरे।। भूषन बसन बाजि गज दीन्हे। प्रेम पोषि ठाढ़े सब कीन्हे।। बार बार बिरिदावलि भाषी। फिरे सकल रामहि उर राखी।। बहुरि बहुरि कोसलपति कहहीं। जनकु प्रेमबस फिरै न चहहीं।। पुनि कह भूपति बचन सुहाए। फिरिअ महीस दूरि बड़ि आए।। राउ बहोरि उतरि भए ठाढ़े। प्रेम प्रबाह बिलोचन बाढ़े।। तब बिदेह बोले कर जोरी। बचन सनेह सुधाँ जनु बोरी।। करौ कवन बिधि बिनय बनाई। महाराज मोहि दीन्हि बड़ाई।।

The king made entreaty and turned back the great merchants; with respect he summoned all the supplicants and gave them ornaments, garments, horses and elephants, and having cherished them with love, he made them all stand firm. Again and again he spoke words of praise; they all returned, keeping Rama in their hearts. Again and again the Lord of Kosala said: Janaka, under the sway of love, does not wish to turn back. Then the king spoke fair words: Return, O lords, for you have come a great distance. The king again stood firm in his reply; the stream of love increased from his eyes. Then Videha spoke with joined palms, his words steeped in love as though in nectar: What manner of entreaty shall I make, O great king, for you have shown me such great honor?

Verse 717 (दोहा/सोरठा)

कोसलपति समधी सजन सनमाने सब भाँति। मिलनि परसपर बिनय अति प्रीति न हृदयँ समाति।।340।।

The Lord of Kosala honored his kinsman and relation in every way. At their meeting there was mutual entreaty and such love that it could not be contained in the heart.

Verse 718 (चौपाई)

मुनि मंडलिहि जनक सिरु नावा। आसिरबादु सबहि सन पावा।। सादर पुनि भेंटे जामाता। रूप सील गुन निधि सब भ्राता।। जोरि पंकरुह पानि सुहाए। बोले बचन प्रेम जनु जाए।। राम करौ केहि भाँति प्रसंसा। मुनि महेस मन मानस हंसा।। करहिं जोग जोगी जेहि लागी। कोहु मोहु ममता मदु त्यागी।। ब्यापकु ब्रह्मु अलखु अबिनासी। चिदानंदु निरगुन गुनरासी।। मन समेत जेहि जान न बानी। तरकि न सकहिं सकल अनुमानी।। महिमा निगमु नेति कहि कहई। जो तिहुँ काल एकरस रहई।।

Janaka bowed his head to the assembly of sages and received blessings from them all. Then with reverence he met his sons-in-law, who were treasures of beauty, character and virtue, and all the brothers. With palms joined in a beautiful gesture, he spoke words that seemed to be love itself. How shall I praise Rama? He is the swan in the lake of the hearts of sages and Shiva. The yogis practice yoga to attain him; he is free from anger, attachment, possessiveness and pride. He is the all-pervading Brahman, the imperceptible, the imperishable, the bliss of consciousness, without attributes yet the abode of all virtues. Whom mind and speech cannot know, whom all reasoning cannot fathom. Whose glory the Vedas declare by saying 'not this, not this'; who remains one and the same through all three times.

Verse 719 (दोहा/सोरठा)

नयन बिषय मो कहुँ भयउ सो समस्त सुख मूल। सबइ लाभु जग जीव कहँ भएँ ईसु अनुकुल।।341।।

That which has become the object of my eyes has become the root of all happiness. All gain has come to the world and to living beings, for the Lord has become gracious.

Verse 720 (चौपाई)

सबहि भाँति मोहि दीन्हि बड़ाई। निज जन जानि लीन्ह अपनाई।। होहिं सहस दस सारद सेषा। करहिं कलप कोटिक भरि लेखा।। मोर भाग्य राउर गुन गाथा। कहि न सिराहिं सुनहु रघुनाथा।। मै कछु कहउँ एक बल मोरें। तुम्ह रीझहु सनेह सुठि थोरें।। बार बार मागउँ कर जोरें। मनु परिहरै चरन जनि भोरें।। सुनि बर बचन प्रेम जनु पोषे। पूरनकाम रामु परितोषे।। करि बर बिनय ससुर सनमाने। पितु कौसिक बसिष्ठ सम जाने।। बिनती बहुरि भरत सन कीन्ही। मिलि सप्रेमु पुनि आसिष दीन्ही।।

They all honored me in every way, and knowing me as their own, they took me to themselves. Were there a thousand and ten Sharadas and Sheshas, they would labor for ages and still not complete the account. My fortune is the story of Your virtues; I cannot tell it fully, so hear me, Lord of the Raghus. What can I say? My only strength is this: that You are pleased with a little love. Again and again I ask with folded hands: may my mind never turn away from Your feet even for a moment. Hearing these words of blessing, love grew within him; Rama, the fulfiller of desires, was satisfied. Having received the blessing, he honored his father-in-law; he regarded King Kushika as equal to Vasishtha. Then he made entreaty again to Bharata; joining him with love, he gave him his blessing once more.

Verse 721 (दोहा/सोरठा)

मिले लखन रिपुसूदनहि दीन्हि असीस महीस। भए परस्पर प्रेमबस फिरि फिरि नावहिं सीस।।342।।

He met Lakshmana and the Destroyer of his foes, and gave them his blessing. They were overcome with mutual love, bowing again and again.

Verse 722 (चौपाई)

बार बार करि बिनय बड़ाई। रघुपति चले संग सब भाई।। जनक गहे कौसिक पद जाई। चरन रेनु सिर नयनन्ह लाई।। सुनु मुनीस बर दरसन तोरें। अगमु न कछु प्रतीति मन मोरें।। जो सुखु सुजसु लोकपति चहहीं। करत मनोरथ सकुचत अहहीं।। सो सुखु सुजसु सुलभ मोहि स्वामी। सब सिधि तव दरसन अनुगामी।। कीन्हि बिनय पुनि पुनि सिरु नाई। फिरे महीसु आसिषा पाई।। चली बरात निसान बजाई। मुदित छोट बड़ सब समुदाई।। रामहि निरखि ग्राम नर नारी। पाइ नयन फलु होहिं सुखारी।।

Again and again offering entreaties and praise, the Lord of the Raghus set out with all his brothers. Janaka went and grasped Kushika’s feet, taking the dust of his feet upon his head and eyes. "Hear me, O sage: the sight of you is a great blessing; my mind has no doubt that you are beyond all approach. Whatever joy and fair fame the Lord of the world may desire, he should not hesitate to fulfill his heart’s wish. That joy and fair fame are easily mine, O Master; all perfections follow upon the sight of you. He made his entreaty again and again, bowing his head; the king returned, having received his blessing. The wedding procession set out, drums sounding; all the people, small and great, rejoiced together. The men and women of the villages gazed upon Rama; they attained the fruit of their sight and were filled with happiness.

Verse 723 (दोहा/सोरठा)

बीच बीच बर बास करि मग लोगन्ह सुख देत। अवध समीप पुनीत दिन पहुँची आइ जनेत।।343।।

Stopping along the way at fine resting places, they gave joy to the people on the road. On a holy day they came near to Ayodhya, the city of his birth.

Verse 724 (चौपाई)

हने निसान पनव बर बाजे। भेरि संख धुनि हय गय गाजे।। झाँझि बिरव डिंडमीं सुहाई। सरस राग बाजहिं सहनाई।। पुर जन आवत अकनि बराता। मुदित सकल पुलकावलि गाता।। निज निज सुंदर सदन सँवारे। हाट बाट चौहट पुर द्वारे।। गलीं सकल अरगजाँ सिंचाई। जहँ तहँ चौकें चारु पुराई।। बना बजारु न जाइ बखाना। तोरन केतु पताक बिताना।। सफल पूगफल कदलि रसाला। रोपे बकुल कदंब तमाला।। लगे सुभग तरु परसत धरनी। मनिमय आलबाल कल करनी।।

Drums were beaten, fine instruments played; conchs, kettledrums, and the neighing of horses resounded. Cymbals, bells, and tabors rang sweetly; melodious ragas were played on the shehnais. The city folk came to see the wedding procession; all were joyful, their bodies covered with horripilation. They adorned their beautiful homes; the markets, streets, crossroads, and city gates were decorated. They sprinkled saffron water in all the lanes; everywhere the squares were beautifully spread. The markets were made splendid beyond description; arches, banners, flags, and canopies were set up. Fulfilled were betel nuts, coconuts, bananas, and mangoes; bakula, kadamba, and tamala trees were planted. The trees stood lovely, touching the earth; the ground was paved with jewels, a work of art.

Verse 725 (दोहा/सोरठा)

बिबिध भाँति मंगल कलस गृह गृह रचे सँवारि। सुर ब्रह्मादि सिहाहिं सब रघुबर पुरी निहारि।।344।।

Auspicious kalasha vessels were fashioned and arranged in every house in diverse and beautiful ways. The gods, beginning with Brahma, gaze with wonder at the city of the Lord of the Raghus.

Verse 726 (चौपाई)

भूप भवन तेहि अवसर सोहा। रचना देखि मदन मनु मोहा।। मंगल सगुन मनोहरताई। रिधि सिधि सुख संपदा सुहाई।। जनु उछाह सब सहज सुहाए। तनु धरि धरि दसरथ दसरथ गृहँ छाए।। देखन हेतु राम बैदेही। कहहु लालसा होहि न केही।। जुथ जूथ मिलि चलीं सुआसिनि। निज छबि निदरहिं मदन बिलासनि।। सकल सुमंगल सजें आरती। गावहिं जनु बहु बेष भारती।। भूपति भवन कोलाहलु होई। जाइ न बरनि समउ सुखु सोई।। कौसल्यादि राम महतारीं। प्रेम बिबस तन दसा बिसारीं।।

The king's palace shone at that hour; seeing its splendor, the mind of Love himself was entranced. There were auspicious signs and a captivating beauty; prosperity, supernatural powers, happiness, and wealth adorned the city. It seemed as if all the world's joy had taken form and naturally beautified itself, and, assuming body after body, had spread through the houses of Dasharatha. To behold Rama and the daughter of Videha, tell me, what longing could there be that would not be fulfilled? In throngs the married women went forth together; by their own loveliness they shamed the pleasures of Love. All bore every auspicious thing for the arati ceremony, and sang as if they were Bharati herself in many guises. There was a great clamor in the king's palace; that time of happiness cannot be described. Kausalya and the other mothers of Rama, overcome with love, forgot the condition of their bodies.

Verse 727 (दोहा/सोरठा)

दिए दान बिप्रन्ह बिपुल पूजि गनेस पुरारी। प्रमुदित परम दरिद्र जनु पाइ पदारथ चारि।।345।।

Having worshipped Ganesha and Shiva, they gave abundant gifts to the brahmins. The poor were filled with supreme joy, as if they had obtained the four fruits of life.

Verse 728 (चौपाई)

मोद प्रमोद बिबस सब माता। चलहिं न चरन सिथिल भए गाता।। राम दरस हित अति अनुरागीं। परिछनि साजु सजन सब लागीं।। बिबिध बिधान बाजने बाजे। मंगल मुदित सुमित्राँ साजे।। हरद दूब दधि पल्लव फूला। पान पूगफल मंगल मूला।। अच्छत अंकुर लोचन लाजा। मंजुल मंजरि तुलसि बिराजा।। छुहे पुरट घट सहज सुहाए। मदन सकुन जनु नीड़ बनाए।। सगुन सुंगध न जाहिं बखानी। मंगल सकल सजहिं सब रानी।। रचीं आरतीं बहुत बिधाना। मुदित करहिं कल मंगल गाना।।

All the mothers were transported with joy and delight; their bodies grew unsteady and they could hardly walk. Filled with deep love for the sight of Rama, they busied themselves with all the preparations. Instruments of many kinds were played; auspicious and joyful, Sumitra made herself ready. There were turmeric, dub grass, curd, leaves, and flowers; betel, areca nut, and all auspicious roots. Sprouting shoots delighted the eyes; beautiful basil sprigs shone forth. Gold and brass vessels were naturally beautiful; it was as if Love and Good Fortune had made their nest there. The auspicious signs and fragrances cannot be described; all the queens adorned themselves with every auspicious thing. They prepared many kinds of arati offerings; joyfully they sang auspicious songs.

Verse 729 (दोहा/सोरठा)

कनक थार भरि मंगलन्हि कमल करन्हि लिएँ मात। चलीं मुदित परिछनि करन पुलक पल्लवित गात।।346।।

Holding golden trays filled with auspicious articles and lotuses in their hands, the mothers went forth rejoicing, their bodies blossoming with thrill and joy.

Verse 730 (चौपाई)

धूप धूम नभु मेचक भयऊ। सावन घन घमंडु जनु ठयऊ।। सुरतरु सुमन माल सुर बरषहिं। मनहुँ बलाक अवलि मनु करषहिं।। मंजुल मनिमय बंदनिवारे। मनहुँ पाकरिपु चाप सँवारे।। प्रगटहिं दुरहिं अटन्ह पर भामिनि। चारु चपल जनु दमकहिं दामिनि।। दुंदुभि धुनि घन गरजनि घोरा। जाचक चातक दादुर मोरा।। सुर सुगन्ध सुचि बरषहिं बारी। सुखी सकल ससि पुर नर नारी।। समउ जानी गुर आयसु दीन्हा। पुर प्रबेसु रघुकुलमनि कीन्हा।। सुमिरि संभु गिरजा गनराजा। मुदित महीपति सहित समाजा।।

Clouds of incense smoke spread across the sky like the massed pride of the rainy season. The gods rained down flowers and garlands from the celestial trees, as if the clouds were drawing close to embrace the bride. With beautiful jeweled arches and festoons, it seemed as if the city of Ayodhya was adorning its bow. Women appeared and vanished upon the rooftops, lovely and fleet as flashes of lightning. Drums sounded, clouds roared terribly; the chataka birds, frogs and peacocks cried out in joy. The gods rained down fragrant and pure water; all the men and women of Ayodhya were happy. Knowing the proper time, the Guru gave his command, and the Jewel of the Raghu race made his entry into the city. Remembering Shambhu, Girija, and the Lord of the Ganas, the king rejoiced together with his assembly.

Verse 731 (दोहा/सोरठा)

होहिं सगुन बरषहिं सुमन सुर दुंदुभीं बजाइ। बिबुध बधू नाचहिं मुदित मंजुल मंगल गाइ।।347।।

Auspicious signs appeared, the gods rained down flowers, and kettledrums were sounded. Celestial nymphs danced with joy, singing sweet and blessed songs.

Verse 732 (चौपाई)

मागध सूत बंदि नट नागर। गावहिं जसु तिहु लोक उजागर।। जय धुनि बिमल बेद बर बानी। दस दिसि सुनिअ सुमंगल सानी।। बिपुल बाजने बाजन लागे। नभ सुर नगर लोग अनुरागे।। बने बराती बरनि न जाहीं। महा मुदित मन सुख न समाहीं।। पुरबासिन्ह तब राय जोहारे। देखत रामहि भए सुखारे।। करहिं निछावरि मनिगन चीरा। बारि बिलोचन पुलक सरीरा।। आरति करहिं मुदित पुर नारी। हरषहिं निरखि कुँअर बर चारी।। सिबिका सुभग ओहार उघारी। देखि दुलहिनिन्ह होहिं सुखारी।।

Bards, panegyrists, dancers, and citizens sang his glory, renowned throughout the three worlds. The pure sound of victory, the excellent words of the Vedas, was heard in all ten directions, bringing the utmost good fortune. Many instruments began to play; the gods in the sky and the people of the city were filled with love. The wedding guests were beyond counting; their hearts were filled with great joy and boundless happiness. Then the citizens bowed to the king; gazing upon Rama, they were filled with bliss. They scattered jewels and garments; their eyes streamed with tears, their bodies were covered with gooseflesh. The women of the city performed the arati with joy; they rejoiced as they beheld the handsome princes. Beautiful palanquins were brought forth and displayed; seeing them, the brides were filled with happiness.

Verse 733 (दोहा/सोरठा)

एहि बिधि सबही देत सुखु आए राजदुआर। मुदित मातु परुछनि करहिं बधुन्ह समेत कुमार।।348।।

In this manner, giving joy to all, they arrived at the royal palace. The delighted mothers performed the welcoming ceremony for the brides together with the princes.

Verse 734 (चौपाई)

करहिं आरती बारहिं बारा। प्रेमु प्रमोदु कहै को पारा।। भूषन मनि पट नाना जाती।।करही निछावरि अगनित भाँती।। बधुन्ह समेत देखि सुत चारी। परमानंद मगन महतारी।। पुनि पुनि सीय राम छबि देखी।।मुदित सफल जग जीवन लेखी।। सखीं सीय मुख पुनि पुनि चाही। गान करहिं निज सुकृत सराही।। बरषहिं सुमन छनहिं छन देवा। नाचहिं गावहिं लावहिं सेवा।। देखि मनोहर चारिउ जोरीं। सारद उपमा सकल ढँढोरीं।। देत न बनहिं निपट लघु लागी। एकटक रहीं रूप अनुरागीं।।

They performed the arati again and again; who can describe the depth of their love and joy? They scattered ornaments, jewels, and garments of many kinds in countless ways. Seeing their handsome sons together with the brides, the mothers were immersed in supreme bliss. Again and again they gazed upon the beauty of Sita and Rama; their hearts were filled with joy, and the world seemed fulfilled. The companions looked again and again at the face of Sita; they sang songs praising their own good fortune. The gods rained down flowers moment by moment; they danced, they sang, and they offered service. Seeing the fourfold beauty that captivated the heart, all comparisons fell short. They could not give enough, though they gave without stint; they remained gazing steadfastly, enamored of that beauty.

Verse 735 (दोहा/सोरठा)

निगम नीति कुल रीति करि अरघ पाँवड़े देत। बधुन्ह सहित सुत परिछि सब चलीं लवाइ निकेत।।349।।

Following the Vedas, proper conduct, and family custom, they gave the bridegroom's party gifts of welcome at the door. Then, having taken formal leave of their kinsmen, all the brides set out with their husbands for their new homes.