Gemstone Birds Begin to Sing in the Wind
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 285
Doha 288 · Movement 1 of 2
Keep this contemplation
Preserve, print, or share
Green gems become braided vines so lifelike that serpents cannot distinguish craft from growth. Golden creepers coil among pearl strands, and rubies, emeralds, diamonds, and turquoise are cut into lotus blossoms.
Artisans fashion bees and birds of many colours. When the breeze enters the pavilion, the tiny forms hum and call as though the jeweled garden has awakened. Divine figures stand carved upon pillars, each holding an auspicious offering.
Courtyards unfold in traditional designs, bright with sindoor and embedded gems. Nothing is merely placed upon the wedding ground. Stone, metal, air, sound, and sacred pattern are persuaded into participation. The city does not decorate an event from outside; it becomes a living ornament of the marriage.
The breeze passes through carved wings, and the jeweled wedding garden answers with birdsong.
Read the passage from the Manas
बेनि हरित मनिमय सब कीन्हे। सरल सपरब परहिं नहिं चीन्हे।। कनक कलित अहिबेल बनाई। लखि नहि परइ सपरन सुहाई।। तेहि के रचि पचि बंध बनाए। बिच बिच मुकता दाम सुहाए।। मानिक मरकत कुलिस पिरोजा। चीरि कोरि पचि रचे सरोजा।। किए भृंग बहुरंग बिहंगा। गुंजहिं कूजहिं पवन प्रसंगा।। सुर प्रतिमा खंभन गढ़ी काढ़ी। मंगल द्रब्य लिएँ सब ठाढ़ी।। चौंकें भाँति अनेक पुराईं। सिंधुर मनिमय सहज सुहाई।।
Braided ornaments were fashioned entirely from green gems, so lifelike and natural that even serpents could not tell them from real vines. Golden creepers shaped like ahibel were crafted with such delicacy that even true serpents could not distinguish them from living plants. From these, intricate knots and woven bands were prepared, with lovely strands of pearls threaded in between. Rubies, emeralds, diamonds, and turquoise were carved and set to form exquisite lotus blossoms. Bees and birds of many colours were crafted so that they hummed and sang when stirred by the breeze. Divine figures were sculpted upon the pillars, each standing with auspicious offerings in her hands. Ceremonial courtyards were laid out in many traditional designs, adorned with sindoor and gems, naturally radiant.