||Sri Ram Jayram Jaya Jaya Ram||

Chapter -111 – Dhoha

The grand celebration after the wedding

Maharishi Vashishta instructed the newly wedded couple to perform worship of the deities of the clan, Rama and Devi Sita exchanged intimate glances, she was too shy but her beautiful and lustrous eyes were thirsty to get the glances of Rama who has the dark cloud complexion and has the beauty  excels crores of Kamadheva, his loveliness attracts the honey bees like the hearts of Sages and Rishis, his feet were decorated in red lac, his marvelous yellow silk garment excelled the brilliance of  lightning, his marvelous waist ornaments decorated with small bells were making jingling noises, he was adorned in yellow sacred thread across the chest, his long hands were adorned in armlets and beautiful Kada and finger rings, he was adorned various precious ornaments all over the body, his broad chest was decorated with exquisite pearls and gem ornaments, he was covered the chest with a magnificent yellow silk upper clothe, his lustrous eyes have the resemblance to lotus flower petals, he was adorned in marvelous ear ornaments, he was the pinnacle of loveliness, his eyebrows and nose were attractive, his forehead was adorned in beautiful yellow sandalwood paste and vermilion, he was adorned in exquisite crown decorated with pearls and gem, mainly for the ceremonial rites, his every limb attracted the people gathered, they split the grass not to get an evil eye on the groom. They presented exquisite gems and ornaments and garments before him, they assembled around the couple, sang beautifully, and took Harathi of the couple.  Devi Gauri taught Devi Sita how to feed the husband for the first time, Devi Sharadha also taught her, the whole palace was in merriment, the people assembled were took great pleasure in various amusements. Devi Sita found the reflection of the marvelous form of Rama in each and every ornament she was adorned, therefore she was not willing to take out her eyes from them, or move the hands. The love and various amusements of the newly wedded couple were beyond description, the female companion of Sita realized her brimming love for Rama. The four newly wedded couple moved to the fortress where Dhasharatha and the people have stayed, the whole atmosphere was echoed with the blessings of the people. The Yogeendhras, Siddhas, Rishis and Sages, and Deities eulogized “Victory to Rama! Victory to Devi Sita” and all of them returned to their respective abodes.

The four newly wedded couple went to meet King Dhasharatha, the fortress was overflowing with auspiciousness and happiness. There was a fabulous meal that was ready for the guests, King Janaka invited all the people of the groom.  King Dhasharatha and his four sons walked on the majestic carpeted pathways, their feet were washed with great respect and offered a well-decorated seat. King Janaka washed the feet of King Dhasharatha, they showered great respect to each other. He washed the feet of Lord Rama who resides in the heart of Shambhu, he washed the feet of Bharatha, Lakshmana and Shathrughna as well, KingJanaka offered them raised seats and ordered the kitchen people to serve them with a sumptuous meal. The meals were served in golden and gem decorated vessels, the efficient cooks served the guests with ghee, rice, and those fabulous ingredients, it was pure, attractive, and delicious as well.

The male guests performed Parisheshana/offering grain to the five sheaths, Prana, Vyana, Apana, Samana, and Udhana, and resumed taking pleasure in the sumptuous meal. There were several ingredients of sweets were served, in various colors and fragrances, were nectar-like was beyond description. The exceptionally skilled cooks kept serving the guests, and those ingredients served were difficult to name it, as it was mentioned in scriptures, the ingredients were served was easier to swallow, chew and swallow, taste with the tongue, and drink, and those were indescribable. The young male and female took pleasure in teasing each other while taking great pleasure in the sumptuous meal, King Dhasharatha and his men laughed at the funniest comments of the young people assembled to have a meal. At the end of the meal, everyone was served with water to wash their hands and mouth.