Four Brides and Four Brothers Shine in One Mandap
Bala Kanda, Chhand 35
Doha 325 · Movement 2 of 3
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Ram and Janaki sit together while Dasharatha beholds fresh fruit upon the wish-fulfilling tree of his merit. The worlds proclaim that Ram's wedding is complete.
At Vasishtha's command, Janaka summons Mandavi, Urmila, and Shrutakirti. Mandavi is wed to Bharata, Urmila to Lakshmana, and Shrutakirti to Shatrughna, each union completed with love, honour, and every proper rite.
Bride and groom in each pair exchange shy, delighted glances while gods rain flowers. Four beautiful women and four noble brothers shine within one pavilion like the states of consciousness arranged around the liberated self. The prayer of Mithila's women has become visible destiny before their eyes.
The single wedding flame now illumines four perfectly matched couples beneath one canopy.
Read the passage from the Manas
बैठे बरासन रामु जानकि मुदित मन दसरथु भए। तनु पुलक पुनि पुनि देखि अपनें सुकृत सुरतरु फल नए।। भरि भुवन रहा उछाहु राम बिबाहु भा सबहीं कहा। केहि भाँति बरनि सिरात रसना एक यहु मंगलु महा।।1।। तब जनक पाइ बसिष्ठ आयसु ब्याह साज सँवारि कै। माँडवी श्रुतिकीरति उरमिला कुअँरि लईं हँकारि के।। कुसकेतु कन्या प्रथम जो गुन सील सुख सोभामई। सब रीति प्रीति समेत करि सो ब्याहि नृप भरतहि दई।।2।। जानकी लघु भगिनी सकल सुंदरि सिरोमनि जानि कै। सो तनय दीन्ही ब्याहि लखनहि सकल बिधि सनमानि कै।। जेहि नामु श्रुतकीरति सुलोचनि सुमुखि सब गुन आगरी। सो दई रिपुसूदनहि भूपति रूप सील उजागरी।।3।। अनुरुप बर दुलहिनि परस्पर लखि सकुच हियँ हरषहीं। सब मुदित सुंदरता सराहहिं सुमन सुर गन बरषहीं।। सुंदरी सुंदर बरन्ह सह सब एक मंडप राजहीं। जनु जीव उर चारिउ अवस्था बिमुन सहित बिराजहीं।।4।।
Rama and Janaki sat upon the wedding throne, and King Dasharatha's heart overflowed with bliss. His body thrilled again and again as he beheld the fresh fruit of his own good deeds, like blossoms on a divine wish-fulfilling tree. The whole world resounded with celebration. 'Rama's wedding has taken place!' all proclaimed. How can a single tongue ever describe such supreme auspiciousness? Then Janaka, receiving Vasishtha's command, had the wedding preparations arranged with care. Mandavi, Shrutakirti, and Urmila, the princesses, were summoned with full ceremony. First, King Kushadhvaja's daughter, graced with virtue, gentle character, and radiant beauty, was wed to Prince Bharata with all the proper rites and loving devotion. Janaki's younger sister, the crown jewel among all beauties, was given in marriage to Lakshmana with every mark of honour and reverence. She whose name was Shrutakirti, lovely of eye and face, a treasury of all virtues, was given by the king to Ripusudana (Shatrughna), resplendent in beauty and noble character. Each groom and bride, perfectly matched, glanced at one another with shy delight. All rejoiced and praised their beauty, while the gods showered flowers from the heavens. The four fair brides with their four handsome grooms shone together in the single pavilion, as though the four states of consciousness, together with the liberated soul, were seated in splendour within the heart.