The Mothers Prepare the Golden Arati Trays
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 343
Doha 346 · Movement 1 of 2
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Joy weakens the mothers' limbs until their feet can scarcely move, yet longing to behold Ram sets every hand to work. Musical instruments sound while Sumitra gathers the auspicious articles for the welcoming rite.
Turmeric, sacred grass, curd, tender leaves, flowers, betel, areca, roots, unbroken rice, sprouts, kajal, parched grain, tulasi, and flower clusters fill golden vessels. Fragrance gathers around the carefully ordered abundance.
The queens prepare arati trays and sing songs of blessing. Each small object has been chosen, touched, and placed by love, turning the ritual arrangement into a mother's contemplation. Before Ram appears, attention has already made his presence vivid in every colour, scent, grain, leaf, and flame awaiting him.
Upon golden trays, the mothers arrange a whole garden of blessing for Ram's return.
Read the passage from the Manas
मोद प्रमोद बिबस सब माता। चलहिं न चरन सिथिल भए गाता।। राम दरस हित अति अनुरागीं। परिछनि साजु सजन सब लागीं।। बिबिध बिधान बाजने बाजे। मंगल मुदित सुमित्राँ साजे।। हरद दूब दधि पल्लव फूला। पान पूगफल मंगल मूला।। अच्छत अंकुर लोचन लाजा। मंजुल मंजरि तुलसि बिराजा।। छुहे पुरट घट सहज सुहाए। मदन सकुन जनु नीड़ बनाए।। सगुन सुंगध न जाहिं बखानी। मंगल सकल सजहिं सब रानी।। रचीं आरतीं बहुत बिधाना। मुदित करहिं कल मंगल गाना।।
All the mothers were so overcome with joy and delight that their feet would not move and their limbs grew weak with emotion. Filled with deep love and longing to see Shri Rama, all the women began preparing the items for the parichhani welcome ceremony. Many kinds of musical instruments began to play. Sumitra joyfully arranged all the auspicious preparations. Turmeric, doob grass, curd, tender leaves and flowers, betel leaves, areca nuts, and auspicious roots were gathered. Unbroken rice grains, fresh sprouts, kajal, parched rice, beautiful flower clusters, and tulasi leaves were arranged with care. Golden vessels were set out with natural grace, as if Kamadeva himself had fashioned his nest there. The auspicious fragrances that filled the air cannot be described. All the queens arranged every sacred item. They prepared elaborate arati trays of many kinds, and joyfully sang beautiful mangal songs.