||Sri Ram Jayram Jaya Jaya Ram||

Chapter -109 – Dhoha

The initial rites of the celestial wedding

King Janaka reverentially greeted King Dhasharatha as Lord Shiva, and worshiped him with folded hands, and revealed that the marriage between Rama and Devi Sita brought great fortune to him. King Janaka received all the members of the groom’s procession with great respect and offered them respectable seats. I am incapable to describe all those with one tongue.  He offered them a handful of gifts, received them with great respect and humility, engaged in pleasant conversation with them. Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, Lord Mahesha,  Ashtadhikpalaka, Surya, who were all disguised in twice-born stood with great admiration watching the generosity of King Janaka, though he did not realize them as deities, were received with great honor and offered respected seats.  The people assembled were taken great pleasure in the loveliness of Rama, like the Chakora birds that enjoy the full moon.

Sage Vashishta called for Sage Shathanandha as the time has arrived for the performance of wedding, further, he informed Shathananda to bring the bride to the dais, Devi Sunayana accompanied by her female attendants felt immensely happy at the progress of the ceremony. Immediately she brought the wives of twice-born and the elderly women in the family. They sang beautifully, all those beautiful women greeted the female deities who have arrived in the form of humans, but none has recognized them as Devi Sachi, Devi Sharadha, Devi Rama or Devi Bhavani, the women assembled had extreme affection towards the female deities, Devi Sunayana considered them as female deities and worshiped. These female deities assumed the form of women was gathered around Devi Sita and took her to the center of the Mandap with great pleasure. The female companions of Devi Sita were holding the Mangaldhravya accompanied, these female companions of Devi Sita have the mesmerizing beauty, they were skillful in sixteen types of decorative works, and has the gait of the elephant. The sages were got out of their meditation listening to their melodious songs, the cuckoo of Kamadheva got shy listening to their voice, and the jingling noises from the ornaments adorned all over their body and the sounds of anklets were matching with the melodious voice of music.

Devi Sita who symbolizes the epitome of beauty was in the middle of her female companions, was beyond comparison. I am incompetent to describe her beauty.  The supreme Goddess who is the abode of virtues and loveliness moved towards Rama, watching this marvelous sight the groom’s people prayed in their hearts. Rama felt immensely pleased with the loveliness of his future wife, King Dhasharatha and his sons were happy to watch the couple, there were no words to describe the happiness of deities and they showered flowers upon the couple. The Rishis and Sages recited the Vedic chants, woman folks sang beautifully and Dhundhubi echoed in the air, in this way Devi Sita entered the middle of the grand wedding hall, Maharishis recited Shanthipat, the preceptors Vashishta and Shathananda, performed all the customary rites as well as Vedic rites. The preceptors advised the twice-born to perform the veneration of Lord Ganesha and Devi Gauri.  The deities accepted the offerings in person and blessed the occasion. The Sages and Rishis who were engaged in the rites got all that desired MangalDhravyas in their hands, those entire King’s men were ready to serve the Dhravyas in golden vessels and trays.  Lord Surya enthusiastically detailed the customary practices in the clan, and it was sincerely observed. Rishis and Sages were instructed Devi Sita to worship all the deities and offered a magnificent throne to her. No one took notice of the lovely glances exchanged by Rama and Sita, which was beyond mind, intellect, and words, it was indescribable, how did a poet like me could describe them?

While performing the fire sacrifices the Lord Agni appeared before them and received the oblations in great happiness. Vedas disguised as twice-born and explained the various rites performed in the marriage. Devi Sunayana who is the Pattamahishi of King Janaka, symbolizes the fame, fortune, bliss, and beauty, prepared ready to perform rites. The moment of auspicious Lagna has arrived, Maharishi’s invited Devi Sunayana to the dais was accompanied by the group of Sumangalis, she took a seat on the left of Janaka, like Queen Mena seated on the left of Himavan. The king and the queen placed the golden vessels and gem trays full of Mangaladhravya, and pure water that has rich fragrance. The Rishis and Sages recited Veda Manthras, King Janaka, and Devi Sunayana were highly pleased to watch the loveliness of the groom, they washed the feet of Rama.