“At Father’s house auspicious signs have risen today—fashion a mirrored wedding-crown. My eyes have never beheld such a crown; how shall a mirrored crown be made?
“Around its edge, gardener, set diamonds, jewels, and pearls; place tender Sita in its center. Let travelers upon the road see her reflected there, and women drawing water behold her at the well.
“Let all the sisters-in-law see her reflection in the pavilion; in the bridal chamber dwells tender Sita.”
Kavitta
Stanza 1
The knot of his yellow cloth was joined to her red bridal veil; merely looking upon them captivated the mind like a jewel-studded ornament.
Branches of the Veda spoke their sacred words, and family customs were heard; amid them all the peerless bridegroom fashioned a singular beauty.
Says Bindu Kavi: seeing Sita’s face, the bridegroom stood rooted to the spot, unable to advance another step.
Janaki forgot the pavilion, ceremonial vessels, and pillars; she began circling only that dark and lovely body.
Stanza 2
Such darkness is not found in a necklace of sapphires, nor in a youthful tamala tree; not in Nanda’s Darling, nor in the blossom of flax.
It is not in Yamuna’s water, nor have I seen it in the jambu fruit; not in a blade of durva grass, nor in a forest of blue lotuses.
Such a dark beauty is found nowhere else; I have not seen it even in monsoon clouds at dusk.