Sita and Ram Stand Where Beauty Meets Adornment
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 262
Doha 265 · Movement 1 of 2
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Music rolls through city and sky. Gods, kinnaras, humans, nagas, and sages cry victory while celestial women dance and release repeated handfuls of flowers. Brahmins chant the Veda, bards proclaim praise, and the news crosses earth, heaven, and the underworld.
Mithila's men and women wave lamps in arati and offer wealth without counting it. At the centre, Sita and Ram shine together as though Beauty and Adornment have found one dwelling.
Her companions urge Sita to clasp the Lord's feet. The gesture belongs to reverence, yet shyness holds her hands back. Surrounded by universal acclaim, the newly garlanded pair remain joined by a quiet hesitation visible only to those standing near.
While three worlds proclaim the union, Sita pauses shyly before Ram's feet.
Read the passage from the Manas
पुर अरु ब्योम बाजने बाजे। खल भए मलिन साधु सब राजे।। सुर किंनर नर नाग मुनीसा। जय जय जय कहि देहिं असीसा।। नाचहिं गावहिं बिबुध बधूटीं। बार बार कुसुमांजलि छूटीं।। जहँ तहँ बिप्र बेदधुनि करहीं। बंदी बिरदावलि उच्चरहीं।। महि पाताल नाक जसु ब्यापा। राम बरी सिय भंजेउ चापा।। करहिं आरती पुर नर नारी। देहिं निछावरि बित्त बिसारी।। सोहति सीय राम कै जौरी। छबि सिंगारु मनहुँ एक ठोरी।। सखीं कहहिं प्रभुपद गहु सीता। करति न चरन परस अति भीता।।
Music resounded through the city and the heavens. The wicked grew dark, while all the virtuous shone with joy. Gods, Kinnars, humans, Nagas, and great sages cried, 'Jaya! Jaya! Jaya!' and showered their blessings. Celestial maidens danced and sang, releasing handfuls of flowers again and again. Everywhere, Brahmins chanted Vedic hymns, and bards recited songs of praise. Across the earth, the underworld, and the heavens the glory spread: Rama has won Sita and broken the bow. The men and women of the city waved lamps in arati, offering their wealth without a second thought. The pair of Sita and Rama shone together so beautifully, as though Beauty and Adornment had come to dwell in one place. Her sakhis said, 'Sita, clasp the Lord's feet!' But she could not bring herself to touch them, overcome with shyness.