Worship of the Deities
Chhand
Having completed the preparatory rites, they joyfully have the Brahmins worship the guru, Gauri, and Ganapati; the gods manifest, accept the worship, bestow blessings, and experience profound delight. Attendants stand ready with golden vessels and pitchers, filled with madhuparka and every auspicious article the sage may desire at the proper time.
According to the tradition of the family, everything is reverently offered with affection; after the deities have thus been worshiped, Sita is given a beautiful throne. Her beauty is revealed for all to behold, yet no one can fathom it; how could a poet make manifest what lies beyond mind, understanding, speech, and even the highest eloquence?
Doha
At the time of the fire-offering, Agni himself assumes visible form and lovingly receives the oblations; all the Vedas take the form of Brahmins and set forth the marriage rite.
Washing the Bridegroom’s Feet
Janak’s chief queen is renowned throughout the world; how could Sita’s mother ever be adequately praised? Good fame, merit, happiness, and beauty— the Creator gathered them all together and fashioned her.
Knowing the hour, the eminent sages call for her; hearing them, the married women respectfully bring her forth. Sunayana shines at Janak’s left like Maina beside the lord of the Himalayas.
Beautiful golden pitchers and jewel-studded vessels are filled with pure, fragrant, auspicious water. The delighted king and queen themselves take them in hand and set them before Rama.
The sages recite the Vedas in auspicious tones; knowing the occasion, flowers rain down from heaven. Gazing lovingly upon the bridegroom, the royal couple begins to wash his sacred feet.
Chhand
They begin to bathe his lotus feet, and rows of thrilled hairs rise over their bodies in love; throughout heaven and city, songs, drums, and cries of victory surge and spread in every direction.