Sita and Ram Meet beyond the Reach of Speech
Bala Kanda, Chhand 33
Doha 323 · Movement 2 of 3
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The gurus lead worship of Gauri, Ganesha, Brahmins, and the presiding deities, who appear to receive offerings and give blessings. Golden vessels stand ready with every substance desired for madhuparka and rite.
Family customs unfold with love. After divine worship, Sita is seated upon a beautiful throne before Ram. Their eyes meet across the mandap.
No one around them perceives the love moving through that gaze. Mind cannot seize it, intellect cannot define it, and the finest speech cannot approach. Public ceremony contains an utterly inward union, visible in form yet hidden in essence. The poet brings language to the threshold and leaves Sita and Ram together beyond it.
Their eyes meet before the worlds, while their love remains where mind and speech cannot enter.
Read the passage from the Manas
आचारु करि गुर गौरि गनपति मुदित बिप्र पुजावहीं। सुर प्रगटि पूजा लेहिं देहिं असीस अति सुखु पावहीं।। मधुपर्क मंगल द्रब्य जो जेहि समय मुनि मन महुँ चहैं। भरे कनक कोपर कलस सो सब लिएहिं परिचारक रहैं।।1।। कुल रीति प्रीति समेत रबि कहि देत सबु सादर कियो। एहि भाँति देव पुजाइ सीतहि सुभग सिंघासनु दियो।। सिय राम अवलोकनि परसपर प्रेम काहु न लखि परै।। मन बुद्धि बर बानी अगोचर प्रगट कबि कैसें करै।।2।।
Performing the rites, the gurus joyfully lead worship of Gauri, Ganesha, and the Brahmins. The deities appear in person to receive the worship, bestow blessings, and experience great happiness. Whatever auspicious substances for madhuparka the sages desire at any moment, filled golden vessels and pitchers are kept ready by the attendants. Following family tradition with love, Surya speaks and all is respectfully carried out. Thus, having worshipped the gods, they gave Sita a beautiful simhasana. Siya and Rama gaze upon each other; their mutual love none can perceive. Beyond mind, beyond intellect, beyond the finest speech: how shall any poet make it known?