Ayodhya Becomes a City of Gold, Fragrance, Flame, and Song
Uttara Kanda, Chaupai 9
Doha 10 · Movement 1 of 2
Keep this contemplation
Preserve, print, or share
At every doorway stands a wondrously adorned golden vessel. Garlands cross the entrances, flags and banners rise for auspiciousness, and fragrant water darkens the lanes. Courtyard designs gleam with elephant pearls while ceremonial drums roll through the city.
Women offer blessings wherever Rama passes. Joy fills their hearts as young women in festive dress carry golden trays, sing auspicious songs, and circle arati flames before the remover of distress, the sun who opens the lotus forest of Raghu's line.
Ayodhya has become more than architecture. Prosperity, beauty, and blessing have taken visible form in water, gem, cloth, music, song, and light. The Vedas, Shesha, and Sarada may praise such splendor, yet even they stand spellbound before this living scene. Shiva asks Uma how mortal speech could hope to contain what cosmic voices behold in wonder. The city does not merely decorate itself for Rama. In his presence, its devotion becomes the decoration.
Every threshold offers gold and every street offers fragrance, yet Ayodhya's true adornment is the love that leaves even sacred speech amazed.
Read the passage from the Manas
कंचन कलस बिचित्र सँवारे। सबहिं धरे सजि निज निज द्वारे।। बंदनवार पताका केतू। सबन्हि बनाए मंगल हेतू।। बीथीं सकल सुगंध सिंचाई। गजमनि रचि बहु चौक पुराई।। नाना भाँति सुमंगल साजे। हरषि नगर निसान बहु बाजे।। जहँ तहँ नारि निछावर करहीं। देहिं असीस हरष उर भरहीं।। कंचन थार आरती नाना। जुबती सजें करहिं सुभ गाना।। करहिं आरती आरतिहर कें। रघुकुल कमल बिपिन दिनकर कें।। पुर सोभा संपति कल्याना। निगम सेष सारदा बखाना।। तेउ यह चरित देखि ठगि रहहीं। उमा तासु गुन नर किमि कहहीं।।
Golden vessels were beautifully adorned and placed at every doorway. Festive garlands, flags, and banners were raised by all for the auspicious occasion. Every lane was sprinkled with fragrance, and courtyards were decorated with precious gems. Various auspicious preparations were made, and joyful drums resounded throughout the city. Everywhere women waved offerings of blessing, giving benedictions with hearts overflowing. Beautifully dressed young women sang auspicious songs, holding golden plates for arati. They performed arati for him who removes all sorrow, the sun that makes the lotus-garden of Raghu's line bloom. The splendor, prosperity, and blessedness of the city are celebrated by the Vedas, Shesha, and Sarada. Even they stand spellbound at this sight. O Uma, how then can mortals describe his glory?