Dasharatha Entrusts the Young Brides to the Queens
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 352
Doha 355 · Movement 1 of 2
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Auspicious songs fill the beautiful night. Betel and fragrant garlands pass through the gathering, and after beholding Ram, guests bow and depart with the king's permission while delight continues to grow.
Tulsidas pauses before joy that even Saraswati, Shesha, the Vedas, Brahma, Shiva, and Ganesha cannot fully describe. Dasharatha honours every person, then calls the queens near with gentle words.
These young brides have come from another home, he tells them. Guard them as carefully as the pupils of your eyes. Amid cosmic comparisons and royal splendour, the king's clearest command is intimate protection. Ayodhya's welcome must become daily tenderness after the lamps and music fade.
Dasharatha places the four brides within the queens' care as precious sight is guarded within the eye.
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मंगलगान करहिं बर भामिनि। भै सुखमूल मनोहर जामिनि।। अँचइ पान सब काहूँ पाए। स्त्रग सुगंध भूषित छबि छाए।। रामहि देखि रजायसु पाई। निज निज भवन चले सिर नाई।। प्रेम प्रमोद बिनोदु बढ़ाई। समउ समाजु मनोहरताई।। कहि न सकहि सत सारद सेसू। बेद बिरंचि महेस गनेसू।। सो मै कहौं कवन बिधि बरनी। भूमिनागु सिर धरइ कि धरनी।। नृप सब भाँति सबहि सनमानी। कहि मृदु बचन बोलाई रानी।। बधू लरिकनीं पर घर आईं। राखेहु नयन पलक की नाई।।
Noble ladies sang auspicious songs, and that beautiful night became the very root of all happiness. Everyone received betel leaves, and garlands with sweet fragrances adorned the scene in radiant splendor. After beholding Rama and receiving the king's leave, all bowed their heads and departed for their own homes. The love, delight, merriment, and beauty of that occasion and that gathering grew ever greater. Even a hundred Saraswatis, Shesha, the Vedas, Brahma, Shiva, and Ganesha together could not describe it. How then could I possibly narrate it? Can the serpent Shesha truly bear the weight of the earth upon his head? The king honored each and every person in every way, and then, speaking gentle words, he called the queen. "These young brides have come to our home from another household. Guard them as you would guard the very pupils of your eyes."