The Divine Wedding

The wedding between the noble Princes of Ayodhyā and the virtuous Princesses of Mithilā was arranged with great splendour. The altar was filled with vibrancy and auspiciousness. The sacred fire was placed in the centre and the chanting of Mantrās echoed everywhere. The wedding marked the new beginning of a relationship between the two illustrious families and an alliance between the two great Kingdoms of Ayodhyā and Mithilā.

The wedding pavilion was a treat to behold! The bamboo sticks were made of emeralds and the creepers were artistically fashioned in gold. Lotuses were made of rubies, pearls, diamonds and turquoises. Mango leaves were made of sapphire with leaves of gold glistening on silken cords. Excellent festoons which resembled the nooses made by Cupid made the pavilion charming. Many auspicious vases, lamps, banners and curtains which made the pavilion marvellous were also put up. All the fourteen worlds appeared to be trivial in front of Mithilā!

Srī Rāma entered the Mandapa on a steed which was as fast as Garuda. Rāghava possessed the glow of a peacock's neck and His golden robes outshone the lightning. A majestic crown studded with gems shone on His head. He had dark curly hair which beautifully fell till His shoulders and decorated His moon-like forehead. He was decked in all kinds of ornaments which looked picturesque on His dark complexion of rain-bearing clouds. His shoulder ornaments looked like the Vāsuki snake wound around the Mandara mountain. His long arms stretched upto His knees and were well decorated with armlets and bracelets.  His lotus eyes were calm and peaceful to behold. His rosy cheeks resembled two mirrors and His coral lips were curled in a sweet smile. Fish-shaped earrings dangled from His ears. His neck was long and shiny like the Pānchajanya conch. His broad chest was the abode of Srī. The Lord wore many garlands of flowers, pearls, rubies and gold. He got down from His steed and walked like a lion. His tender Lotus feet caressed the flower-covered floor of the wedding Mandapa.

The eyes of Devī Umā and Tripurāntaka Lord Śiva were filled with tears of joy on seeing the Lord's charming appearance. The three worlds rejoiced and celebrated Rāma's entry. Indra felt honoured and blessed by Gautama's curse for He had thousand eyes now to behold Srī Rāghava! Those too weren’t enough to drink the divine transcendental beauty of the Lord. The Celestial beings descended on the earth to take part in the Divine wedding. They were all revered by Lord Rāma. King Janaka humbly welcomed all the Deities, Sages and the party from Ayodhyā. Janaka greeted King Dasharatha warmly by garlanding him. He gave a beautiful lamp to Rāghava and poured sacred rice at His feet. After seating Rāma, King Janaka and Queen Sunainā washed Rāma's feet.

Under Sage Vasishta's order, all the four Brides entered the Mandapa accompanied by their Sakhīs and relatives. Sītā's entry enchanted everyone. Her loveliness shone forth as a charming personification of beauty in the midst of grace. She was draped in red silk robes which complimented the golden complexion of Sītā. She was adorned with sixteen kinds of exquisite ornaments. Her long, thick and dark hair was braided and lined with fragrant flowers, precious gems and bands of gold. Her broad forehead was decorated by many delicate jewelleries and the Tilaka on Her forehead looked like a red lotus blooming in a golden pond. Long beautiful earrings dangled from Her slender ears. Her broad spear-like eyes were beautifully lined with kohl which were as dark as Rāma Himself. Her sharp nose made Her nosering shine. Her glistening lotus lips carried a coy smile. Her neck was adorned by many varieties of necklaces. Her waist which was as narrow as lightning was ornated by a golden belt. Her bangles and anklets tinkled delightfully keeping in tune with the bridal songs.

The Princess walked like a lovely swan and was held by Her Sakhīs on both the sides. She was followed by Her Sisters who looked beautiful and graceful. When the Bridegroom's party saw Sītā who was a veritable storehouse of beauty, all greeted Her from the core of their heart. At the sight of Jānakī, Rāma had His heart's desire fulfilled. He couldn't move His eyes off Sītā! King Dasharatha with all his other sons was filled with inexplicable delight. He and Sage Vasishta felt fortunate to behold Goddess Mahālakshmī Herself entering the hall. The Sages uttered their benedictions, which were the source of all blessings. Women and Men rejoiced alike on beholding Vaidehī.

Sītā was made to sit beside Rāma on the golden seat. The Goddess of the three worlds took Her place beside the Lord of the three worlds. Jānakī looked at Rāma from the corner of Her eyes fixing all Her love at Him. Rāma returned Her loving gaze beautifully. They looked into each other's eyes repeatedly. The Bridegroom captivated the Bride's heart and the Bride's divine beauty swept the Groom away off His feet! Feeling shy, Sītā gazed at the reflection of Rāma in Her gem-studded rings. Rāma smiled at Sītā's pure love. In a wedding, the Groom is considered to be Lord Vishnu and the Bride is seen as Goddess Lakshmī. How fortunate were Janaka, Sunainā and everyone present in the Mandapa to behold Lakshmī Nārāyana Themselves as the Bride and the Bridegroom!

King Janaka and Sunainā were elated and thrilled beyond words. They performed all the rituals devotedly. It was time for the Bride and the Bridegroom to garland each other. Sītā was delighted to garland Her Lord once again! Rāma bowed down slightly and Jānakī's slender flower-like hands adorned the neck of Rāghava with a lovely garland. Rāma was very eager to adorn Sītā with the Pushp mālā. Vaidehī had already garlanded Him twice, this was the first time He was garlanding His beloved! He picked up the flower garland gently, looked at Sītā and placed it around Her neck lovingly with His strong hands. Sītā bent Her head down in shyness and smiled.

Just like Himāvan gave Devī Gaurī to Lord Śiva and Sāgara gave Devī Lakshmi to Lord Hari, King Janaka gave Sītā to Rāma declaring, “This is my daughter Sītā. She is your Sahadharmachārinī and will share all your duties. Take Her palm in your palm wishfully, for She belongs to you alone! May all good fortune be bestowed on you! She, who is prosperous and husband-devout will always follow you like your shadow!” An overwhelmed Janaka offered Sītā to Rāma and poured the sacred water into the palms of Sītā and Rāma. How blessed he was to perform the Kanyādāna of Sītā! The heavens rejoiced and rained flowers on the Divine couple.

Sītā was made to sit and Rāma adorned Her neck with the Māngalyasūtra. Bharata, Lakshmana and Shatrughna were married to Māndavi, Ūrmilā and Shrutakīrtī following the same rituals. The Gandharvas sang songs and the Apsarās danced joyfully seeing this grand wedding. The ends of the garments of Rāma and Sītā were tied together. Holding hands, Rāghava walked ahead, followed by Sītā around the sacred fire four times. This act made Jānakī the Wife of Rāma. In the subsequent three rounds, Sītā walked ahead and was followed by Rāma. This act made Rāma the Husband of Vaidehī. They followed each other like the soul and the body. Their seven walks around the fire symbolised Their love, friendship, support and unbreakable relationship.

Rāghava filled the parting on Sītā's head with Sindūra. It was a beautiful sight beyond description. It seemed as if the serpent thirsting for nectar decorated the moon with a lotus surcharged with Reddish pollen. A thousand eyes were not enough to behold Vaidehī who shone in all Her splendour when Rāma applied Sindūra! The divine Couple and Their siblings performed all the remaining rituals joyfully and sought the blessings of all the elders and guests in the Mandapa. Vaidehī shone like a golden lotus beside Raghuvīra, who resembled a blue lotus. 

Lord Rāma, who is calm, serene, virtuous, all-attractive and the embodiment of pure consciousness, has the beautiful and chaste Sītā as His Consort who is the epitome of feminine virtues and grace. For Srī Rāma, there is no other person in the world who is suitable for Him. The marriage is the union of Sītā's purity and Rāma's righteousness that can lead us to the divine. The bond between Sītā and Rāma gives us a glimpse of the divine, through the beauty of their love, which is of the highest form. At a poetic level, Srī Rāma and Sītā represent the union of consciousness and matter, the realization of which is the goal of a seeker.

Their wedding is just a pastime on earth, for They are eternally wedded to each other. They are inseparable like the Sun and its rays, even while being physically separated. May the eternal, divine and lovely newly married Jānakī and Raghunātha always bless us!! It's a bliss to narrate Their wedding on Their Wedding day!! Let's sing 'Sītā Kalyāna Vaibohamey! Rāma Kalyāna Vaibohamey!' joyfully! Best wishes of Vivāha Panchamī to everyone!!

To be continued....

Yours,

Hari Priye