Sita's Palanquin Moves beneath a Sky of Omens
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 336
Doha 339 · Movement 1 of 2
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Janaka counsels Sita in the dharma of marriage and the customs of her new family. He gives her beloved maidservants and devoted attendants, preserving familiar faces around her as the palanquin prepares to move.
The townspeople grow restless, but auspicious omens heap themselves along the way. Brahmins, ministers, and the assembly accompany Janaka. At the proper hour instruments sound and the chariots, elephants, and horses take their ordered places.
Dasharatha honours the Brahmins with gifts, places the dust of their feet upon his head, and receives their blessing. Remembering Ganesha, he begins the journey. Sorrow and good fortune travel together: Mithila grieves behind the departing brides while signs of blessing open the road ahead.
As Sita leaves Mithila, tears follow the palanquin and auspicious signs rise before it.
Read the passage from the Manas
बहुबिधि भूप सुता समुझाई। नारिधरमु कुलरीति सिखाई।। दासीं दास दिए बहुतेरे। सुचि सेवक जे प्रिय सिय केरे।। सीय चलत ब्याकुल पुरबासी। होहिं सगुन सुभ मंगल रासी।। भूसुर सचिव समेत समाजा। संग चले पहुँचावन राजा।। समय बिलोकि बाजने बाजे। रथ गज बाजि बरातिन्ह साजे।। दसरथ बिप्र बोलि सब लीन्हे। दान मान परिपूरन कीन्हे।। चरन सरोज धूरि धरि सीसा। मुदित महीपति पाइ असीसा।। सुमिरि गजाननु कीन्ह पयाना। मंगलमूल सगुन भए नाना।।
In many ways the king counseled his daughter, teaching her a wife's dharma and the customs of the family. He provided numerous maidservants and attendants, devoted servants who were dear to Sita. As Sita set forth the townspeople grew restless, yet auspicious omens appeared in abundance, heaped like blessings. Brahmins, ministers, and the whole assembly accompanied the king as he escorted her onward. Seeing the proper hour, the musical instruments sounded, and chariots, elephants, and horses were arrayed for the wedding procession. King Dasharatha summoned all the brahmins and honored them fully with gifts and reverence. Placing the dust of their lotus feet upon his head, the joyful king received their blessings. Remembering Gajanana, he set out on the journey, and many auspicious omens arose as the very root of good fortune.