Ganga Speaks Her Blessing to Sita
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 103
Doha 103 · Movement 1 of 2
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After bathing, Ram worships an earthen emblem of Shiva and bows. Sita stands before the holy river with folded hands and names the desire closest to her heart: may she return safely with her husband and younger brother-in-law and worship Ganga here again.
The current that has carried countless prayers answers in a beautiful voice. Ganga calls her the beloved of Raghuvir and declares that Sita's glory is known throughout the world. Guardians of the realms are purified by her glance, and every spiritual power waits upon her with joined palms.
Sita's humility has honored the river goddess. Although the one praying needs no borrowed greatness, Ganga gladly offers a spoken blessing so that the noble wish may bear fruit. Goddess and goddess meet without rivalry, each magnifying the other's grace beside the shining water.
At the Ganga's edge, Sita's folded hands awaken a voice from the sacred current and receive the promise of return.
Read the passage from the Manas
तब मज्जनु करि रघुकुलनाथा। पूजि पारथिव नायउ माथा।। सियँ सुरसरिहि कहेउ कर जोरी। मातु मनोरथ पुरउबि मोरी।। पति देवर संग कुसल बहोरी। आइ करौं जेहिं पूजा तोरी।। सुनि सिय बिनय प्रेम रस सानी। भइ तब बिमल बारि बर बानी।। सुनु रघुबीर प्रिया बैदेही। तव प्रभाउ जग बिदित न केही।। लोकप होहिं बिलोकत तोरें। तोहि सेवहिं सब सिधि कर जोरें।। तुम्ह जो हमहि बड़ि बिनय सुनाई। कृपा कीन्हि मोहि दीन्हि बड़ाई।। तदपि देबि मैं देबि असीसा। सफल होपन हित निज बागीसा।।
Then the Lord of Raghu's lineage bathed in the sacred waters and bowed his head in worship before the earthen Shiva lingam. Sita spoke to the holy Ganga with folded hands: 'O Mother, fulfill the longing of my heart.' May I return safely with my husband and my dear brother-in-law, so that I may come again to worship you. Hearing Sita's prayer, steeped in the nectar of pure love, the sacred waters spoke in a voice of great beauty. 'Listen, O beloved Vaidehi, bride of the hero of Raghu's line. Your divine glory is known throughout the world; who does not know it? The guardians of the three worlds are purified by your glance alone. All the siddhis serve you with folded hands. By addressing me with such tender humility, you have shown me grace and given me great honor. Nevertheless, O Goddess, I offer you my heartfelt blessing, speaking with my own voice so that your noble wish may be fulfilled.'