Saffron and Sandalwood Cover Ayodhya's Streets
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 192
Doha 194 · Movement 1 of 2
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Flags, banners, and festive hangings transform Ayodhya beyond description. Flowers descend from the sky while groups of women adorn themselves in spontaneous joy and hurry toward the palace with golden vessels and auspicious offerings.
At the royal gates they enter singing, wave ceremonial lights, present gifts, and repeatedly touch the holy feet of the child. Bards, genealogists, panegyrists, and musicians proclaim the pure virtues of Raghu's Lord through hall and courtyard.
Dasharatha gives away all he possesses, keeping nothing back from those who come. Musk, sandalwood, and saffron paste scatter across streets and lanes until the whole city becomes fragrant, coloured, and soft beneath celebrating feet.
Ayodhya's roads disappear beneath saffron, sandalwood, flowers, and the feet of rejoicing crowds.
Read the passage from the Manas
ध्वज पताक तोरन पुर छावा। कहि न जाइ जेहि भाँति बनावा।। सुमनबृष्टि अकास तें होई। ब्रह्मानंद मगन सब लोई।। बृंद बृंद मिलि चलीं लोगाई। सहज संगार किएँ उठि धाई।। कनक कलस मंगल धरि थारा। गावत पैठहिं भूप दुआरा।। करि आरति नेवछावरि करहीं। बार बार सिसु चरनन्हि परहीं।। मागध सूत बंदिगन गायक। पावन गुन गावहिं रघुनायक।। सर्बस दान दीन्ह सब काहू। जेहिं पावा राखा नहिं ताहू।। मृगमद चंदन कुंकुम कीचा। मची सकल बीथिन्ह बिच बीचा।।
The city was draped in flags, banners, and festive torana arches. The beauty of its decoration cannot be put into words. Flowers rained down from the sky. Every soul was immersed in paramananda, supreme bliss.