The Women Carry Arati toward the Bridegroom
Bala Kanda, Doha 317
Doha 317 · Movement 3 of 3
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The arati plates are prepared in many forms, each flame and offering placed according to auspicious custom. Nothing needed for the welcome is left unordered.
Noble women set forth joyfully with the stately gait of elephants. Their movement is dignified rather than hurried, though the bridegroom they have longed to see is now close.
They carry the inner palace outward with them: maternal blessing, married fortune, household continuity, and the light by which Ram will be ceremonially received. The procession comes toward Mithila in royal splendour; the women approach it as the embodied welcome of the bride's home, turning the city threshold into a meeting of two sacred currents.
Lamp-bearing women advance with measured grace, carrying the blessing of Sita's home toward Ram.
Read the passage from the Manas
सजि आरती अनेक बिधि मंगल सकल सँवारि। चलीं मुदित परिछनि करन गजगामिनि बर नारि।।317।।
Having prepared the aarti plate in many ways and arranged all the auspicious rites, the noble ladies with graceful elephant-like gait went forth joyfully to perform the welcome ceremony.