The Road Fills with Auspicious Signs
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 300
Doha 303 · Movement 1 of 2
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Blessing appears along the road in every direction. A hawk crosses the left, a crow stands in fertile ground to the right, and a mongoose shows itself. Three kinds of breeze blow favourably.
Noble women approach with water vessels. A she-jackal turns repeatedly, a cow nurses her calf before the travellers, and a line of deer circles from the right. Cuckoo and mynah add their calls among the trees.
Curd and fish appear, followed by two learned Brahmins carrying scriptures. Animal, wind, woman, food, direction, sound, and sacred text all become a language of welcome. The world does not stand mute beside Ram's wedding road. It offers sign after sign that the journey is aligned with blessing.
Wind, wing, hoof, voice, vessel, and scripture all speak one auspicious consent.
Read the passage from the Manas
बनइ न बरनत बनी बराता। होहिं सगुन सुंदर सुभदाता।। चारा चाषु बाम दिसि लेई। मनहुँ सकल मंगल कहि देई।। दाहिन काग सुखेत सुहावा। नकुल दरसु सब काहूँ पावा।। सानुकूल बह त्रिबिध बयारी। सघट सवाल आव बर नारी।। लोवा फिरि फिरि दरसु देखावा। सुरभी सनमुख सिसुहि पिआवा।। मृगमाला फिरि दाहिनि आई। मंगल गन जनु दीन्हि देखाई।। छेमकरी कह छेम बिसेषी। स्यामा बाम सुतरु पर देखी।। सनमुख आयउ दधि अरु मीना। कर पुस्तक दुइ बिप्र प्रबीना।।
The splendor of the wedding procession was beyond the power of words to describe. Beautiful and blessed omens began to appear, bestowing good fortune on all. A hawk took flight on the left side, as though proclaiming every blessing aloud. On the right, a crow was seen in a fertile field, and everyone caught sight of a mongoose. The three kinds of breeze blew favorably. Noble women came forward bearing water-pots on their heads. A she-jackal turned again and again to show herself, and a cow came forward to nurse her calf. A line of deer circled from the right, as if displaying a full array of auspicious signs. A cuckoo called out words of special blessing, and a mynah bird was spotted on a beautiful tree to the left. Curd and fish appeared before them, and two learned Brahmins came forward with scriptures in their hands.