Source page 20

Today the bamboo wedding pavilion is filled with jewels; strings of pearls hang resplendent on all four sides.

Quickly bring a vessel filled with Ganga water; let the young women sing auspicious songs and bathe Rama. ॥3॥

Fill the ritual square with elephant-pearls and diamonds; bring handsome Rama and seat him there.

Golden pillars stand on all four sides, a throne in their midst; light the jeweled lamps and let him sit upon that seat. ॥4॥

The fortunate women of Awadh, mistresses of their households, arrive in beauty; smiling, the blacksmith’s wife comes forward with her implement in hand.

The cowherd woman bears an auspicious pot of curds; beholding her swelling youth, even the king is pleased. ॥5॥

The betel-seller, lovely in form, holds a prepared betel quid; whoever has once seen her binds her forever within his heart.

The fair-bodied seamstress stands with her hands joined; she applies exquisite saffron and scatters fragrant powder. ॥6॥

The modest cobbler’s wife shyly asks for a diamond; a radiant ring adorns her finger beautifully.

The flower-girl, slim-waisted and lovely-bodied, bears a golden, jewel-studded peacock with graceful delight. ॥7॥

The slender umbrella-bearer holds a parasol in her hand; moon-faced and auspicious-eyed, she guards everyone.