The Wedding Procession Leaves beneath a Rain of Flowers
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 299
Doha 302 · Movement 1 of 2
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Dasharatha beside Vasishtha shines like Indra beside Brihaspati. Every family custom and Vedic rite has been observed. Remembering Ram and receiving the guru's command, the king sets forth as conches sound.
Gods shower flowers upon the moving procession. Horses neigh, elephants trumpet, and music climbs into the sky. Shehnais carry sweet ragas through bells, drums, marching guards, and high banners.
Jesters perform, singers answer, and laughter moves among the ordered ranks. Sacred gravity and festival delight travel together. Ayodhya has released the procession only after rite, remembrance, and blessing, but once the wheels begin, joy takes every available form, from celestial blossoms to a comic gesture beside the road.
Conches open the road, flowers descend, and Ayodhya moves toward Ram in music and laughter.
Read the passage from the Manas
सहित बसिष्ठ सोह नृप कैसें। सुर गुर संग पुरंदर जैसें।। करि कुल रीति बेद बिधि राऊ। देखि सबहि सब भाँति बनाऊ।। सुमिरि रामु गुर आयसु पाई। चले महीपति संख बजाई।। हरषे बिबुध बिलोकि बराता। बरषहिं सुमन सुमंगल दाता।। भयउ कोलाहल हय गय गाजे। ब्योम बरात बाजने बाजे।। सुर नर नारि सुमंगल गाई। सरस राग बाजहिं सहनाई।। घंट घंटि धुनि बरनि न जाहीं। सरव करहिं पाइक फहराहीं।। करहिं बिदूषक कौतुक नाना। हास कुसल कल गान सुजाना ।
The king shone resplendent beside sage Vasishtha, just as Indra shines in the company of Brihaspati, guru of the gods. Following every family custom and Vedic rite, the king saw that all preparations were made in proper order. Remembering Rama and receiving the guru's command, the king set forth with conch shells sounding. The gods rejoiced at the sight of the wedding procession. They showered flowers, those givers of all auspicious blessings. A great tumult arose as horses neighed and elephants trumpeted. The music of the baraat filled the sky. Gods, men, and women sang songs of blessing, while the sweet notes of the shehnai played in melodious ragas. The ringing of bells and the boom of drums were beyond all description. Guards marched in formation and banners fluttered high. Jesters performed all manner of merry acts. Skilled in laughter and gifted in graceful song, they delighted everyone.