Janaka Comes to Lead the Bridegroom
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 310
Doha 313 · Movement 1 of 2
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Janaka asks his priest what cause for delay remains. Shatananda summons ministers, and conches, kettledrums, ritual vessels, married women's songs, and Brahmins' Vedic chant are assembled for the formal approach.
The welcoming party proceeds to the guest lodgings. Dasharatha's company appears so magnificent that even Indra's court would seem small beside it.
The appointed moment has come. Drums receive the announcement with thunder. After consulting his guru and completing the customs of his lineage, Dasharatha sets out among sages and holy men. Host comes for guest, father approaches father, and the ceremonial movement toward the mandap begins beneath two streams of sacred authority.
At the stroke of the wedding hour, Janaka's welcome and Dasharatha's procession turn toward one another.
Read the passage from the Manas
उपरोहितहि कहेउ नरनाहा। अब बिलंब कर कारनु काहा।। सतानंद तब सचिव बोलाए। मंगल सकल साजि सब ल्याए।। संख निसान पनव बहु बाजे। मंगल कलस सगुन सुभ साजे।। सुभग सुआसिनि गावहिं गीता। करहिं बेद धुनि बिप्र पुनीता।। लेन चले सादर एहि भाँती। गए जहाँ जनवास बराती।। कोसलपति कर देखि समाजू। अति लघु लाग तिन्हहि सुरराजू।। भयउ समउ अब धारिअ पाऊ। यह सुनि परा निसानहिं घाऊ।। गुरहि पूछि करि कुल बिधि राजा। चले संग मुनि साधु समाजा।।
The king said to his priest, 'What reason remains now for any delay?' Then Satananda summoned the ministers and had them bring all the auspicious preparations. Conch shells, kettledrums, and many drums resounded as sacred vessels and favorable signs were set in order. Beautiful married women sang auspicious songs while pure Brahmins chanted the melodies of the Vedas. In this manner they set forth with reverence to the place where the wedding guests were lodged. Beholding the splendor of the lord of Kosala's retinue, even Indra, king of the gods, seemed very small to them. 'The moment has come; let us proceed!' At these words the drums thundered forth. After consulting his guru and observing all the customs of his lineage, the king set out accompanied by the assembly of sages and holy men.