Saraswati Finds No Comparison for the Four Couples
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 346
Doha 349 · Movement 1 of 2
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Again and again the mothers wave arati and offer ornaments, garments, and jewels. Beholding all four sons beside their brides, they enter a happiness so complete that one look at Sita and Ram seems to fulfil an entire lifetime.
Sita's companions study her face and sing of their blessed fortune. Above them the gods shower flowers, dance, sing, and serve, while the four newly married couples remain the still centre of every gaze.
Saraswati searches the treasury of language for a likeness equal to their beauty. Each comparison proves too narrow, each image too small. At last the goddess of speech abandons description and simply gazes. Where words reach their limit, contemplation begins.
When every comparison falls away, Saraswati honours the four couples with silent wonder.
Read the passage from the Manas
करहिं आरती बारहिं बारा। प्रेमु प्रमोदु कहै को पारा।। भूषन मनि पट नाना जाती।।करही निछावरि अगनित भाँती।। बधुन्ह समेत देखि सुत चारी। परमानंद मगन महतारी।। पुनि पुनि सीय राम छबि देखी।।मुदित सफल जग जीवन लेखी।। सखीं सीय मुख पुनि पुनि चाही। गान करहिं निज सुकृत सराही।। बरषहिं सुमन छनहिं छन देवा। नाचहिं गावहिं लावहिं सेवा।। देखि मनोहर चारिउ जोरीं। सारद उपमा सकल ढँढोरीं।। देत न बनहिं निपट लघु लागी। एकटक रहीं रूप अनुरागीं।।
They wave the arati lamp again and again. Who can fathom the depth of their love and joy? With ornaments, jewels, and garments of every kind, they make offerings in countless ways. Seeing all four sons with their brides, the mothers are immersed in the highest bliss. Gazing again and again upon the beauty of Sita and Rama, they count their life in this world fulfilled. Sita's companions look at her face over and over, singing and praising their own blessed fortune. The gods shower blossoms moment after moment, dancing, singing, and rendering loving service. Beholding the four enchanting couples, Saraswati herself searches through every comparison she knows. Yet no likeness will do; each one falls short and feels too small. She simply gazes on, captivated by their beauty.