Sita Raises the Garland and Cannot Move
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 261
Doha 264 · Movement 1 of 2
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Among her companions, Sita shines like supreme beauty among all lesser forms. The victory garland rests in her lotus hands, bright with the splendour of a triumph that has silenced the kings.
Her body shows modesty while her heart overflows with joy. Near Ram, she beholds his beauty and becomes still as a painted princess. Her discerning companions understand and gently tell her to place the garland upon him.
Sita lifts both hands, but love makes the final movement impossible. Her arms resemble two lotus stems shyly offering a garland to the moon. The companions sing, encouraging what words cannot hasten. At last she lowers the circle of flowers upon Ram's chest, and hidden love becomes visible before the worlds.
For one breath love holds her motionless, then the garland comes to rest upon Ram.
Read the passage from the Manas
सखिन्ह मध्य सिय सोहति कैसे। छबिगन मध्य महाछबि जैसें।। कर सरोज जयमाल सुहाई। बिस्व बिजय सोभा जेहिं छाई।। तन सकोचु मन परम उछाहू। गूढ़ प्रेमु लखि परइ न काहू।। जाइ समीप राम छबि देखी। रहि जनु कुँअरि चित्र अवरेखी।। चतुर सखीं लखि कहा बुझाई। पहिरावहु जयमाल सुहाई।। सुनत जुगल कर माल उठाई। प्रेम बिबस पहिराइ न जाई।। सोहत जनु जुग जलज सनाला। ससिहि सभीत देत जयमाला।। गावहिं छबि अवलोकि सहेली। सियँ जयमाल राम उर मेली।।
Sita shines among her companions as supreme beauty shines among all forms of beauty. In her lotus hands rests the beautiful jayamala, radiant with the splendor of victory over all the worlds. Her body shows tender modesty while her heart brims with supreme joy; her deep love remains hidden, seen by no one. Drawing near and beholding Rama's beauty, the princess stood still as though she were a painted picture. Her clever companions, reading her heart, gently urged her: "Place the beautiful jayamala upon Him." Hearing this, she raised the garland with both hands, but overwhelmed by love, she could not bring herself to place it. Her two arms appeared like lotus stems, shyly offering the jayamala to the moon. Her companions sang with delight at the sight, as Sita at last placed the jayamala upon Rama's chest.