Sapphire Leaves Hang from Silken Cords
Bala Kanda, Doha 288
Doha 288 · Movement 2 of 2
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Sapphires are carved into tender sprays of leaves, their deep blue surfaces shaped with the curves and thin edges of new growth. The verse gives them fragrance, as though beauty itself has supplied what stone lacks.
Golden buds gather among young emerald shoots. Silken cords pass through the arrangement, suspending metal and gem so lightly that the whole garland seems ready to stir at a breath.
Colour becomes the language of anticipation: blue leaf, green shoot, gold flower, soft thread. Nothing here has withered or fallen from a branch. The wedding city creates a spring outside season, one whose brilliance will remain while Sita and Ram pass beneath it.
Blue leaves, emerald shoots, and golden buds make an undying spring above the wedding path.
Read the passage from the Manas
सौरभ पल्लव सुभग सुठि किए नीलमनि कोरि।। हेम बौर मरकत घवरि लसत पाटमय डोरि।।288।।
Fragrant sprays of leaves, most beautiful to behold, were carved from sapphire. Golden buds and tender emerald shoots glistened, strung together with silken cords.