Ram Enters the Wedding Pavilion
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 316
Doha 319 · Movement 1 of 3
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The queens wipe tears from their eyes and perform the welcome with delighted steadiness. Vedic injunction and family custom are each observed, while five sacred instruments sound and silk carpets cover the way.
Arati circles before Ram, sacred water is offered, and the bridegroom proceeds toward the mandap. Dasharatha sits amid such royal splendour that the guardians of the worlds feel humbled.
Flowers fall at intervals from heaven, Brahmins chant peace, and the combined tumult of sky and city makes every separate voice inaudible. Within that ocean of sound, Ram reaches the pavilion, receives worship, and takes the ceremonial seat. The journey from bow hall to wedding throne is complete.
Through lamps, Vedic peace, falling flowers, and immeasurable sound, Ram takes his seat in the mandap.
Read the passage from the Manas
नयन नीरु हटि मंगल जानी। परिछनि करहिं मुदित मन रानी।। बेद बिहित अरु कुल आचारू। कीन्ह भली बिधि सब ब्यवहारू।। पंच सबद धुनि मंगल गाना। पट पाँवड़े परहिं बिधि नाना।। करि आरती अरघु तिन्ह दीन्हा। राम गमनु मंडप तब कीन्हा।। दसरथु सहित समाज बिराजे। बिभव बिलोकि लोकपति लाजे।। समयँ समयँ सुर बरषहिं फूला। सांति पढ़हिं महिसुर अनुकूला।। नभ अरु नगर कोलाहल होई। आपनि पर कछु सुनइ न कोई।। एहि बिधि रामु मंडपहिं आए। अरघु देइ आसन बैठाए।।
Wiping away tears of joy and recognizing the auspicious moment, the queens performed the welcoming ceremony with delighted hearts. Every ritual was carried out properly, following both Vedic injunctions and cherished family traditions. The panch-shabda (five sacred instruments) sounded along with auspicious songs, while silk cloths and fine carpets were spread in many ways. After performing aarti and offering arghya (sacred water), Rama then proceeded to the wedding pavilion. Dasharatha sat enthroned with his grand assembly, and even the guardians of the worlds felt humbled seeing such magnificence. Again and again the gods showered flowers from above, while learned priests chanted hymns of peace and blessing. Such tumultuous celebration filled the sky and the city that no one could hear even their own voice. In this way Rama arrived at the mandap (wedding pavilion), where He was offered worship and seated on the ceremonial throne.