Flowers Fall upon the Garlanded Ram
Bala Kanda, Doha 264
Doha 264 · Movement 2 of 2
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The victory garland rests upon Raghubara's chest. Its flowers lie over tulsi, ornaments, and yellow cloth, declaring before the entire pavilion that Sita has chosen the breaker of Shiva's bow.
The gods answer with another rain of blossoms. Petals descend from the heavens toward the garland below, as if the sky wishes to place its own wreath around the union.
Across the royal tiers, the rival kings contract like night-blooming kumuda flowers before the sun. Their desire had expanded beneath darkness and uncertainty. With Ram garlanded, the light of decision has risen. What opens heaven closes pride, and the same sight produces celestial celebration and royal shame.
Heaven flowers above Ram, while the defeated kings fold inward before his light.
Read the passage from the Manas
रघुबर उर जयमाल देखि देव बरिसहिं सुमन। सकुचे सकल भुआल जनु बिलोकि रबि कुमुदगन।।264।।
Seeing the jayamala upon Raghubar's chest, the gods rained down flowers. All the kings shrank back, like night-blooming kumuda blossoms at the sight of the sun.