Source page 21

The barber-woman, broad-eyed, flashes her brows; teasing the royal household with ritual abuse, she delights them all. ॥8॥

Kausalya’s elder kinswoman gives her instruction: “Do not go away—perform the nahchu while seated upon the throne.”

Holding Rama in her lap, Kausalya sits with the blessed child; the bridegroom Rama shines with the end of her veil above his head.

Quickly summon the barber-woman, a mine of every virtue; adorn him in every way and ward off all misfortune. ॥9॥

The golden nail-cutter gleams within her hand; beholding lovely Rama, her heart cannot contain its joy. ॥10॥

Golden earrings adorn his ears, and a nose-ring gleams upon his nose; a necklace of elephant-pearls and a throat-jewel shine upon him.

Bracelets at his wrists, a tinkling girdle at his waist, and anklets ring; the queen has given these gifts, and they make him more radiant still. ॥11॥

“Why is Ramaji dark while Lakshmana is fair? O Queen Kausalya, did night descend within your womb?

Rama is Dasharatha’s son—but Lakshmana seems another’s; yet Bharata and Shatrughna are brothers of Sri Raghunatha!” ॥12॥

Go today to Awadhpur, filled with delight; fill your eyes with the sight of that abode of beauty.

How immensely fortunate is the barber-woman, holding the Lord’s nails in her hand! She boasts of her intimacy with Sri Raghunatha. ॥13॥