When Rama and Janaki entered and sat upon the wedding seat, all hearts rejoiced at the sight. Their bodies thrilled; seeing them again and again, everyone beheld the fresh fruit of the wish-fulfilling tree of their own merit. Exultation filled the whole world: “Rama's wedding has taken place!” everyone declared. How could any tongue reach the end of describing so great an auspicious event? Then Janaka received Vasishtha's permission and prepared the remaining weddings with every proper arrangement. He had Mandavi, Shrutakirti, and Urmila summoned with honor. First he gave Kushadhvaja's virtuous, gracious, and lovely daughter Mandavi to Bharata, performing the wedding with every custom and affection. Then, honoring every rite, he gave Janaki's younger sister Urmila—beautiful in every way—to Lakshmana. The maiden named Shrutakirti, lovely-eyed and a treasury of beauty and virtue, he gave to Shatrughna, whose radiant form and character matched her own. Seeing each bride and groom suited to the other, everyone rejoiced; all praised their beauty, while the gods showered flowers. The beautiful brides and handsome bridegrooms all shone together beneath one pavilion, like the four states of embodied life abiding in the heart together with Vishnu. The lord of Ayodhya rejoiced to behold all his sons with their brides, as though the king had attained the four fruits of life together with the sacred acts that lead to them.
Pada 75
Sita and Rama shine beneath the golden pavilion; golden wedding crowns grace their heads, and lovely pearls adorn their throats.