Salutations to him who, like the chakora bird, gazes upon the moon-face of Sri Maithili.
Salutations to the revered Acharya Ramananda.
Salutations to the revered Yugalananyasharan.
Sri Maithili Vivaha Padavali
Opening Worship — Invocation
I bow to the Guru, the Supreme Lord—who could ever recount his glory? Ganesha, Mahesha, Sharada, Shesha, and Ramesha together grow weary trying to tell it.
The radiance from his toenails illumines the heart; its darkness vanishes, and the secret loving play of Sita and her Beloved is revealed.
I bow to Sri Chandrakala Ali, crown jewel of all the sakhis. Cast your gracious glance upon me and fill my heart with waves of the secret play.
I bow to Sri Charushila and the other companions, mines of beauty and virtue. Compassionately dwell within my heart and awaken knowledge of rasa.
I bow to the venerable Maruti, whose equal as a rasika is unknown. Turn your merciful gaze upon me and disclose the wisdom of rasa.
I bow to the great world-teacher, Sri Ramananda, the divine sun risen to open the lotus-hearts of the rasikas.
Sri Tulsidas—great-hearted, generous, and filled with devotion— was Valmiki incarnate, come to deliver the wayward souls of the Kali age.