यस्मिंस्तु दिवसे राजा चक्रे गोदानमुत्तमम् | तस्मिंस्तु दिवसे शूरो युधाजित् समुपेयिवान् || १-७३-१
siitaa raama kalyaaNa ghaTTamThe Marriage of Sheetha with Rama
On which day the king Dasharatha made the impressive cow donations or, initiatory rites, on that day alone the valiant Yudhaajit turned up. [1-73-1]
पुत्रः केकयराजस्य साक्षाद्भरतमातुलः | दृष्ट्वा पृष्ट्वा च कुशलं राजानमिदमब्रवीत् || १-७३-२
yasmin tu divase raajaa cakre go daanam uttamam | tasmin tu divase shuuro yudhaajit samupeyivaan || 1-73-1
Yudhaajit, the son of Kekaya king and the brother of Kaikeyi, thus the direct maternal uncle of Bharata, having seen and asked after the wellbeing of Dasharatha said this to him. [1-73-2]
केकयाधिपती राजा स्नेहात् कुशलमब्रवीत् | येषां कुशलकामोऽसि तेषां संप्रत्यनामयम् || १-७३-३
putraH kekaya raajasya saakShaat bharata maatulaH | dR^iShTvaa pR^iShTvaa ca kushalam raajaanam idam abraviit || 1-73-2
The ruler and king of Kekaya, viz., my father and your father-in-law, has affectionately asked after the wellbeing of all, and in whose wellbeing you are interested at my place, they are all hale and healthy as of now... [1-73-3]
स्वस्रीयं मम राजेन्द्र द्रष्टुकामो महीपतिः | तदर्थमुपयातोऽहमयोध्यां रघुनंदन || १-७३-४
kekaya adhipatii raajaa snehaat kushalam abraviit | yeShaam kushalakaamo asi teShaam saMprati anaamayam || 1-73-3
Oh, Raghu's legatee, oh, best king, my father and the king of Kekaya is interested to see my sister Kaikeyi's son, Bharata, and for that reason I am sent to Ayodhya... [1-73-4]
श्रुत्वा त्वहमयोध्यायां विवाहार्थं तवात्मजान् | मिथिलामुपयातांस्तु त्वया सह महीपते || १-७३-५ त्वरयाभ्युपयातोऽहं द्रष्टुकामः स्वसुः सुतम् |
svasriiyam mama raajendra draShTu kaamo mahiipatiH | tat artham upayaato aham ayodhyaam raghunaMdana || 1-73-4
"Oh, lord of the land, in Ayodhya I have heard that you went to Mithila along with your sons for their marriages, and wishing to see my sister's son Bharata I promptly travelled here..." Thus Yudhaajit told Dasharatha. [1-73-5, 6a]
अथ राजा दशरथः प्रियातिथिमुपस्थितम् || १-७३-६ दृष्ट्वा परमसत्कारैः पूजार्हं समपूजयत् |
shrutvaa tu aham ayodhyaayaam vivaaha artham tava aatmajaan | mithilaam upayaataan tu tvayaa saha mahiipate || 1-73-5 tvarayaa abhupayaato aham draShTu kaamaH svasuH sutam |
Then king Dasharatha on seeing the adorable guest who arrived in his presence, and who is a merited one for adoration, Dasharatha adored Yudhaajit well, with full observances. [1-73-6b, 7a]
ततस्तामुषितो रात्रिं सह पुत्रैर्महात्मभिः || १-७३-७ प्रभाते पुनरुत्थाय कृत्वा कर्माणि तत्त्ववित् | ऋषींस्तदा पुरस्कृत्य यज्ञवाटमुपागमत् || १-७३-८
atha raajaa dasharathaH priya atithim upasthitam || 1-73-6 dR^iShTvaa parama satkaaraiH puujaarham samapuujayat |
Then on taking rest for that night along with his noble-minded sons, and again on getting up in the next morning, and on performing morning-observances as a duty-bound king, Dasharatha arrived at the hall of Vedic-ritual, keeping the sages in his forefront. [1-73-7b-8]
युक्ते मुहूर्ते विजये सर्वाभरणभूषितैः | भ्रातृभिः सहितो रामः कृतकौतुकमंगलः || १-७३-९ वसिष्ठं पुरतः कृत्वा महर्षीनपरानपि |
yukte muhuurte vijaye sarva aabharaNa bhuuShitaiH | bhraatR^ibhiH sahito raamaH kR^ita kautuka maMgalaH || 1-73-9 vasiShTham purataH kR^itvaa maharShiin aparaan api |
Rama arrived at his father together with all of his brothers, keeping sage Vashishta and other eminent-saint ahead of them, on an opportune and appropriate hour called 'Victory...' and all the bridegrooms are adorned with all kinds of jewellery appropriate for the wedding time, and all have performed the auspicious ceremony for marriage-thread, conducted prior to the marriage and, all have thread-bands tied around their wrists, as they all have performed an auspicious ceremony antecedent to marriage ceremony. [1-73-9, 10a]
वशिष्ठो भगवानेत्य वैदेहमिदमब्रवीत् || १-७३-१० राजा दशरथो राजन् कृतकौतुकमङ्गलैः | पुत्रैर्नरवरश्रेष्ठ दातारमभिकांक्षते || १-७३-११
vashiShTHo bhagavaan etya vaideham idam abraviit || 1-73-10 raajaa dasharatho raajan kR^ita kautuka mangalaiH | putraiH nara vara shreShTha daataaram abhikaaMkShate || 1-73-11
Then that godly sage Vashishta on going from Vedic-ritual hall to marriage hall said this to Janaka, "Oh, best one among best people, oh, king Janaka, having performed the auspicious marriage-thread ceremony, Dasharatha along with his sons is looking forward for the donor... [1-73-10b, 11]
दातृप्रतिग्रहीतृभ्यां सर्वार्थाः संभवन्ति हि | स्वधर्मं प्रतिपद्यस्व कृत्वा वैवाह्यमुत्तमम् || १-७३-१२
iti uktaH parama udaaro vasiShThena mahaatmanaa | pratyuvaaca mahaatejaa vaakyam parama dhar.hmavit || 1-73-13
"In marriages all the puruSaartha-s , the component values of life, namely rightness, riches, revelries, and results of final release will be occurring only if the benefactor and beneficiary meet, isn't it. Hence let king Dasharatha come, and then on actualising this best marriage you too will be doing your best devoir as royal priest... [1-73-12]
इत्युक्तः परमोदारो वसिष्ठेन महात्मना | प्रत्युवाच महातेजा वाक्यं परमधर्मवित् || १-७३-१३
kaH sthitaH pratihaaro me kasya aaj~naa saMpratiikShyate | sva gR^ihe ko vicaaro asti yathaa raajyam idam tava || 1-73-14
Janaka is not just a decidedly valiant king but he is the profound knower of probity also, besides being an unreservedly generous king, hence he has already made all arrangements, and when he is spoken in this way by Vashishta that king replied this sentence to that right honourable Vashishta. [1-73-13]
कः स्थितः प्रतिहारो मे कस्याज्ञा संप्रतीक्ष्यते | स्वगृहे को विचारोऽस्ति यथा राज्यमिदं तव || १-७३-१४
kR^ita kautuka sarvasvaa vedi muulam upaagataaH | mama kanyaa munishreShTha diiptaa vahneH iva arciShaH || 1-73-15
Who is that doorman that prevents your entry? Or, for whose orders you all await with a bated breath? Do you hesitate in your own house, or what? This kingdom is as good as yours... isn't so... [1-73-14]
कृतकौतुकसर्वस्वा वेदिमूलमुपागताः | मम कन्या मुनिश्रेष्ठ दीप्ता वह्नेरिवार्चिषः || १-७३-१५
sadyo aham tvat pratiikSho asmi vedyaam asyaam pratiShitaH | avighnam kurutaam raajaa kim artham hi vilambyate || 1-73-16
Oh, eminent-saint Vashishta, on absolutely performing the auspicious ceremony for the marriage-thread, and thereby tying thread-band at wrists my daughters have already arrived, and they are at the base of the Altar of Fire, like the irradiant jets of flames of radiant fire... [1-73-15]
सद्योऽहं त्वत्प्रतीक्षोऽस्मि वेद्यामस्यां प्रतिष्ठितः | अविघ्नं कुरुतां राजा किमर्थं हि विलम्ब्यते || १-७३-१६
tat vaakyam janakena uktam shrutvaa dasharathaH tadaa | praveshayaamaasa sutaan sarvaan R^iShi gaNaan api || 1-73-17
"I am already ready and awaiting for you remaining at this Altar of Fire. Let everything be done indeed without any deterrents. What for the king Dasharatha is dawdling..." So said Janaka to Vashishta. [1-73-16]
तद्वाक्यं जनकेनोक्तं श्रुत्वा दशरथस्तदा | प्रवेशयामास सुतान् सर्वानृषिगणानपि || १-७३-१७
tato raajaa videhaanaam vashiShTham idam abraviit | kaarayasva R^iShe sarvaan R^iShibhiH saha dhaarmika || 1-73-18 raamasya loka raamasya kriyaam vaivaahikiim prabho |
On hearing that sentence of Janaka, then Dasharatha started towards marriage hall, and then he started to enter his sons one by one, four in all, into marriage hall along with all of the assemblages of sages. [1-73-17]
ततो राजा विदेहानां वशिष्ठमिदमब्रवीत् | कारयस्व ऋषे सर्वानृषिभिः सह धार्मिक || १-७३-१८ रामस्य लोकरामस्य क्रियां वैवाहिकीं प्रभो |
tathaa iti uktvaa tu janakam vashiShTHo bhagavaan R^iShiH || 1-73-19 vishvaamitram puraskR^itya shataanaMdam ca dhaarmikam | prapaa madhye tu vidhivat vediim kR^itvaa mahaatapaaH || 1-73-20 alam cakaara taam vediim gandha puShpaiH samaMtataH | suvarNa paalikaabhiH ca citra kumbhaiH ca sa aMkuraiH || 1-73-21 aMkura aaDhyaiH sharaavaiH ca dhuupa paatraiH sa dhuupakaiH | shaMkha paatraiH shruvaiH srugbhiH paatraiH ar.hghyaadi puujitaiH || 1-73-22 laaja puurNaiH ca paatriibhiH rakshitaiH api saMskR^itaiH |
Then that king from Videha bloodline, Janaka, said in this way to Vashishta, "Oh, the knower of punctilios, oh, Brahma-sage, oh, masterly sage, along with other sages you make happen all of the marriage ceremonies of Rama, the rejoicer of the world..." Thus Janaka spoke to Vashishta. [1-73-18, 19a]
तथेत्युक्त्वा तु जनकं वशिष्ठो भगवानृषिः || १-७३-१९ विश्वामित्रं पुरस्कृत्य शतानंदं च धार्मिकम् | प्रपामध्ये तु विधिवद्वेदीं कृत्वा महातपाः || १-७३-२० अलञ्चकार तां वेदीं गन्धपुष्पैः समंततः | सुवर्णपालिकाभिश्च चित्रकुम्भैश्च साङ्कुरैः || १-७३-२१ अंकुराढ्यैः शरावैश्च धूपपात्रैः सधूपकैः | शंखपात्रैः श्रुवैः स्रुग्भिः पात्रैरर्घ्यादिपूजितैः || १-७३-२२ लाजपूर्णैश्च पात्रीभिरक्षितैरपि संस्कृतैः |
darbhaiH samaiH samaastiirya vidhivat maMtra puraskR^itam || 1-73-23 agnim aadhaaya tam vedyaam vidhi maMtra puurvakam | juhaava agnau mahaatejaa vashiShTho munipuMgava || 1-73-24
Then that king from Videha bloodline, Janaka, said this way to Vashishta, "Oh, the knower of punctilios, oh, Brahma-sage, oh, masterly sage, along with other sages you make happen all of the marriage oriented works of Rama, the rejoicer of the world..." [Thus Janaka spoke to Vashishta.]
दर्भैः समैः समास्तीर्य विधिवन्मंत्रपूर्वकम् || १-७३-२३ अग्निमाधाय तं वेद्यां विधिमंत्रपुरस्कृतम् | जुहावाग्नौ महातेजा वशिष्ठो मुनिपुंगव || १-७३-२४
Or
Then that great resplendent and eminent-saint Vashishta neatly overlaid even-sized sacred grass on that Altar of Fire synchronising with Vedic-chants, and on preparing Ritual-fire by rubbing two wooden sticks, called araNi , he placed that fire in the pit of Altar, which is aflame now, and then reverently and in tune with the Vedic-hymns he effused oblational liquids into that Altar of Fire, with short-handled and long-handled wooden scoops. [1-73-23b, 24]
ततः सीतां समानीय सर्वाभरणभूषिताम् | समक्षमग्नेः संस्थाप्य राघवाभिमुखे तदा || १-७३-२५ अब्रवीज्जनको राजा कौसल्यानंदवर्धनम् |
Or
Then that king Janaka led forth Seetha, who by now is decorated with every variety of bridal jewellery, and on positioning her en face Raghava in the presence of Altar of Fire, then Janaka addressed Rama who is the enhancer of his mother Kausalya's rejoice. [1-73-25, 26a]
इयं सीता मम सुता सहधर्मचरी तव || १-७३-२६ प्रतीच्छ चैनां भद्रं ते पाणिं गृह्णीष्व पाणिना |
--o)0(o--
Here Sita stands, my daughter fair, / The duties of thy life to share. / Take from her father, take thy bride, / Join hand to hand, and bliss betide! / - Ralph T. H. Griffith
पतिव्रता महभागा छायेवानुगता सदा || १-७३-२७ इत्युक्त्वा प्राक्षिपद्राजा मंत्रपूतं जलं तदा |
--o)0(o--
"She who is prosperous and husband-devout, will always be abiding you like your own shadow..." So saying that king Janaka then poured forth water into the palms of Rama, which is sanctified with hymns. [1-73-27b, 28a]
साधु साध्विति देवानामृषीणां वदतां तदा || १-७३-२८ देवदुंदुभिनिर्घोषः पुष्पवर्षो महानभूत् |
pativrataa mahabhaagaa Chaaya iva anugataa sadaa || 1-73-27 iti uktvaa praakshipat raajaa maMtra puutam jalam tadaa |
Then there occurred great flower-showers from firmament, while sages and gods staying in firmament have exclaimed, "nice... fine..." to the drumbeats of heavenly drums. [1-3-28b, 29a]
एवं दत्त्वा सुतां सीतां मंत्रोदकपुरस्कृताम् || १-७३-२९ अब्रवीज्जनको राजा हर्षेणाभिपरिप्लुतः |
saadhu saadhu iti devaanaam R^iShiiNaam vadataam tadaa || 1-73-28 deva duMdubhi nir.hghoShaH puShpa varSham mahaan abhuut |
On handing over his daughter Seetha who is duly sanctified with sanctified waters, King Janaka is completely overwhelmed with exhilaration for the successful performance of his bit as a father and he said this. [1-73-29b, 30a]
लक्ष्मणागच्छ भद्रं ते ऊर्मिलामुद्यतां मया || १-७३-३० प्रतीच्छ पाणिं गृह्णीष्व मा भूत् कालस्य पर्ययः |
evam dattvaa sutaam siitaam maMtra udaka puraskR^itaam || 1-73-29 abraviit janako raajaa harSheNa abhiparipluta |
Come on, Lakshmana, safe betides you... say yes to Urmila, the one who is decided by me to be given to you... take her palm into yours... lapse not the time... [1-73-30b, 31a]
तमेवमुक्त्वा जनको भरतं चाभ्यभाषत || १-७३-३१ गृहाण पाणिं माण्डव्याः पाणिना रघुनंदन |
lakShmaNa aagacCha bhadram te uurmilaam udyataam mayaa || 1-73-30 pratiicCha paaNim gR^ihNiiShva maa bhuut kaalasya paryayaH |
Janaka having said to Lakshmana that way, he also addressed Bharata, "Oh, Bharata, the delight of Raghu-s, take Maandavi's palm into your palm... [1-73-31b-32a]
शत्रुघ्नं चापि धर्मात्मा अब्रवीन्मिथिलेश्वरः || १-७३-३२ श्रुतकीर्तेर्महाबाहो पाणिं गृह्णीष्व पाणिना |
tam evam uktvaa janako bharatam ca abhyabhaaShata || 1-73-31 gR^ihaaNa paaNim maaNDavyaaH paaNinaa raghunaMdana |
That honourable king of Mithila even said to Shatrughna, "oh, dextrous Shatrughna, take the palm of Shrutakiirti into yours... [1-73-32b, 33a]
सर्वे भवन्तः सौम्याश्च सर्वे सुचरितव्रताः || १-७३-३३ पत्नीभिः सन्तु काकुत्स्था मा भूत्कालस्य पर्ययः |
shatrughnam ca api dharmaaatmaa abraviit mithileshvaraH || 1-73-32 shrutakiirteH mahaabaaho paaNim gR^ihNiiShva paaNinaa |
"Oh, Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata, Shatrughna ... you all are tender-hearted, well-behaved and well-intentioned brothers from Kakutstha lineage... without lapse of time take up other ceremonies..." So said Janaka to bridegrooms. [1-73-33b, 34a]
जनकस्य वचः श्रुत्वा पाणीन् पाणिभिरस्पृशन् || १-७३-३४ चत्वारस्ते चतसॄणां वसिष्ठस्य मते स्थिताः |
sarve bhavantaH sauMyaaH ca sarve sucarita vrataaH || 1-73-33 patniibhiH santu kaakutsthaa maa bhuut kaalasya paryayaH |
All the four bridegrooms are palminpalmed with all the four brides, paying heed to Janaka's words, and abiding in Vashishta's orchestration of Vedic hymns and procedures. [1-73-34b, 35a]
अग्निं प्रदक्षिणं कृत्वा वेदिं राजानमेव च || १-७३-३५ ऋषींश्चैव महात्मानः सहभार्या रघूद्वहाः | यथोक्तेन तथा चक्रुर्विवाहं विधिपूर्वकम् || १-७३-३६
janakasya vacaH shrutvaa paaNiin paaNibhiH aspR^ishan || 1-73-34 catvaaraH te catasR^INaam vasiShThasya mate sthitaaH |
On performing circumambulations along with their wives around the Ritual-fire, and around the Altar of Fire, and that way, around king Janaka, the awarder of wives, and around sages as well for they conducted the marriages well, those great-souled bridegrooms that have emerged from Raghu's dynasty on performing further deeds of ritual consistent with custom as directed by Vashishta, they are all wed. [1-73-35b, 36]
पुष्पवृष्टिर्महत्यासीदन्तरिक्षात्सुभास्वरा | दिव्यदुन्दुभिनिर्घोषैर्गीतवादित्रनिःस्वनैः || १-७३-३७ ननृतुश्चाप्सरःसंघा गन्धर्वाश्च जगुः कलम् | विवाहे रघुमुख्यानां तदद्भुतमदृश्यत || १-७३-३८
puShpavR^iShTirmahatyaasiidantarikShaatsubhaasvaraa | divyadundubhini.rghoShairgiitavaaditraniHsvanaiH || - yadvaa - puShpa vR^iShTiH mahati aasiit aMtarikShaat su bhaasvaraa | divya dundubhi nir.hghoShaiH giita vaaditra niHsvanaiH || 1-73-37 nanR^ituH ca apsaraH saMghaa gandharvaaH ca jaguH kalam | vivaahe raghu mukhyaanaam tad adbhutam adR^ishyata || 1-73-38
There occurred rich and highly dazzling flower showers from firmament, and that ambience is filled with the drumbeats of divine drums and with vocal and instrumental music, and promenades of apsara-s danced, and even the gandharva-s sang tunefully, and because it is the marriage of celebrated bridegrooms from Raghu's dynasty, such a charming spectacle is envisioned.. [1-73-37, 38]
ईदृशे वर्तमाने तु तूर्योद्घुष्टनिनादिते | त्रिरग्निं ते परिक्रम्य ऊहुर्भार्या महौजसः || १-७३-३९
atha upakaaryaam jagmuH te sa daaraa raghunaMdanaaH | raajaa api anuyayau pashyan sa R^iShi saMghaH sa baandhavaH || 1-73-40
In this kind of ongoingness of harmonious music of vocal, instrumental and that of dancers, those great resplendent brothers married their wives on circumabulating the Ritual-fire fire thrice. [1-73-39]
अथोपकार्यां जग्मुस्ते स दारा रघुनंदनाः | राजाप्यनुययौ पश्यन् सर्षिसंघः सबान्धवः || १-७३-४०
Then those legatees of Raghu went to their visitatorial-palace with their wives, followed by king Dasharatha along with the assemblages of sages, kinfolks, queens and wives included, and Dasharatha feasted his eyes on sons and daughter-in-laws. [1-73-40]
