At the time of Rama’s wedding, the shadow of Rama’s beauty spread just such a darkness across Janaki’s face.
Stanza 3
King Janaka’s daughter is wrapped in beauty from limb to limb; it cannot be contained as she stands beside the abode of bliss, beloved Rama.
I swear by Rama that I invent nothing and conceal nothing: Sita remains close beside him—this is no net of empty words.
This account is true, not woven from illusion, says Pramoda Manju: she remains forever clasped to her beloved like a garland around his breast.
Seeing that garland, every maiden offers herself in sacrifice— a golden vine lovingly entwined around a splendid dark tamala tree.
Stanza 4
If beloved Sita is the lotus, her beloved is its fragrance; if the Beloved is the lotus, she is the fish immersed in its nectarean lake.
If the darling is water, her beloved is its sweetness; if the Beloved is water, she is its cooling, bliss-bestowing power.
If the darling is milk, Raghubira is its flavor; if the Beloved is milk, the darling is its fresh butter.
Says Moda Manju: Sita is the golden ring of bridal beauty, and Rama is the sapphire jewel set within it.
Stanza 5
Her eyes are naturally lovely—reddened, round, and bashful with modesty, renowned in their glory and steeped through with affection.
Her pointed eyes are sharp and sparkling, flashing with restlessness; piercing the heart with playfulness, they shower forth virtue.