Welcoming the lovely Brides

The entire Ayodhyā was celebrating the entry of Rāma and His Brothers. The city was illuminated by lamps and decorated with fresh flowers and colourful Rangolis. The citizens rejoiced seeing their newly married Princes. Flowers were showered on them and everyone talked and sang excitedly. The palanquins stopped near the palace and the Princesses got down from the palanquins. They stood beside their Husbands with a smile on their face. Everyone was filled with love and happiness on beholding the Brides. They spoke how Sītā and Rāma were a perfect match in all aspects. Kaushalyā, Sumitrā and Kaikeyī eagerly received the Brides at the palace gates. They waved the Ārati around the Couples to ward off evil eyes. Sītā and Rāma bowed down before the three Queens and received their blessings. The three Mothers had made all arrangements for welcoming the Brides and Bridegrooms and making them comfortable. Kaushalyā held Sītā, Kaikeyī held Māndavī and Sumitrā held Ūrmilā and Shrutakīrtī with affection. Everybody walked into the palace chambers with great pomp and joy.

The royal couples worshipped the family Deity of Raghukula and other Deities worshipped by the royal household. They paid their respects to their ancestors. They bowed before all the elders and sought their blessings.

The shy Brides were taken to a colourful chamber and were made to sit beside the Princes. Bridal songs were sung and the sounds of gentle laughter and music echoed everywhere. The Brides and Bridegrooms were gently teased by the three Queens, relatives and singers in the chamber. The Brides were made to utter the names of Their Husband. With great love and shyness, Sītā began, "The one whose feet are the refuge of the three worlds, is my Lord Srī Rāma." Such a beautiful way of rendering Rāma's name touched everyone's hearts. Rāma felt blissful hearing His name uttered by Sītā. He gazed at Her and smiled. Ūrmilā said, "The one who has dedicated Himself to the Lord of the three worlds is my Lord Lakshmana." Lakshmana was really glad to hear this from Ūrmilā. Māndavī said, "The one in whose thoughts I am always engrossed is my Lord Bharata." Bharata was very pleased by this. Shrutakīrtī told, "The one who is the vanquisher of his enemies is my Lord Shatrughna." All the Queens were overwhelmed by the warm gesture and devotion of the Brides. The singers sang songs in happiness. 

One of the relatives giggled and told, "We have to see how much affection the Bride has towards Her Husband! So, Jānakī should feed sweets to Rāghava!" A plateful of sweets was placed before Sītā and Rāma who glanced at each other. Everyone excitedly insisted Sītā to feed Rāma. All were eager to see this! With her honey-like slender hands, Vaidehī lovingly picked up a sweetmeat and fed Rāma. Rāma happily ate the sweet. He felt that the sweet had become sweeter only because of Sītā's touch.

Rāma immediately picked up another sweetmeat from the plate and affectionately fed Sītā. Sītā was surprised. She felt blessed and shy. She relished the sweet and thought that it had become sweeter only because of Rāma. The Queens were elated by the love between Vaidehī and Raghunātha. Seeing the adorable couple, their siblings and relatives became joyful. The womenfolk played drums and other percussion instruments gleefully.

A maid placed a plate filled with milk and rose petals in front of the divine Couple. The Queens told, "Rāma and Sītā should find the ring hidden in this milk-filled plate. Whoever finds the ring first wins!" After exchanging a look, Sītā and Rāma moved Their lotus hands in the plate in search of the ring. Everyone laughed in anticipation and excitement. The Brothers cheered Rāghava while Ūrmilā, Māndavī and Shrutakīrtī cheered Sītā. Shatrughna jovially remarked, "Bhaiya find the ring in the plate before our Sister-in-law does! Don't remove Her ring instead!" Everybody giggled while Rāma gently blushed. The singers told, "Catch Raghunandan's hand, Jānakī! Don't let Him win!" Sītā blushed red and smiled. 

Sītā and Rāma continued searching for the ring. The milk and the plate were so lucky to be touched by the divine Couple. They couldn't pick sides as they equally loved both the Bride and the Bridegroom so they moved the ring away from both Sītā and Rāma. Jānakī and Rāghava were so lost in each other's love that finding the ring didn't matter to Them. They gazed at each other and Sita's hand brushed against Rāma's, making Him smile. Vaidehī found the ring! Greatly pleased with her victory, She lifted it proudly and showed it to Rāma who derived great happiness on seeing His beloved victorious. Sītā beamed knowing that Rāma had let gone of the ring for Her sake. Everyone celebrated this and adored the Divine Couple.

King Dasharatha was gladdened by the festivities going on. He was very elated by the sound of laughter and the musical instruments. He felt very happy as his beloved Sons had got virtuous Brides. He prayed for the well-being, peace and prosperity of his family. Shortly before dinner time, Sage Vishwāmitra blessed the newly married Couples, King Dasharatha and his Queens and took leave of them to continue his penances. His mission was to unite Jānakī and Rāma and he was glad that he had accomplished it. King Dasharatha told his Queens about his experience in Mithilā and how kind and virtuous were King Janaka and his Queen. He also told that he would surely uphold the promise he had done to King Janaka and would treat his Daughters-in-law like his own daughter. Hearing this, Kaushalyā, Sumitrā and Kaikeyī understood the pain experienced by the Brides' parents and told that they can relate to it very well as they themselves had been brides. Kaushalyā looked at Sītā, warmly embraced Her and kissed her forehead. She loved Jānakī very much and was impressed by Her virtues. Sumitrā and Kaikeyī too loved Sītā and Her Sisters. The Mothers-in-law cherished their Daughters-in-law equally and loved them dearly.

The four Princes and Their Brides took the blessings of King Dasharatha and his Queens. The Princesses were taken to their chambers bedecked with different garlands of flowers and illuminated by lamps. In Her chamber, the shy Bride Jānakī waited for Rāma. She closed Her eyes and relived the events of the past few days- Her first meeting with Rāma, the blessings of Goddess Gaurī, Her Swayamvara where Rāma successfully broke the Shiva Dhanush and became Her Lord, the moment She walked towards Rāma and garlanded Him, Their Vivāha, Her Vidaai and the warm hospitality and care of the King and His Queens. It all seemed like a dream. She got up from Her flower bedecked bed and walked towards the window to behold the moon. She counted the stars and wondered when Her Lord would come. Rāma entered the chamber and noticed Sītā near the window. He looked at the moon and gazed at Sītā who was gazing at the stars.

Filled with love He called, "Sītey!" Sītā was happy hearing Her Lord's voice and shyly turned towards Him. She bent down and touched His lotus feet. A surprised Rāma lifted Her up gently, held Her shoulders and asked, "O Sītey! What are you doing?" "I am worshipping my God and adoring His feet!" Jānakī replied, still gazing at Rāma's feet, too shy to look up. "I am not your Deity, my dear! I am just your Husband and you are my dear Wife!" He said. "You are very virtuous, valiant and wonderful and are my God" Sītā replied. Then Rāma said, "We are each other's Deities. We are each other's worshippers as well! There's no difference between you and me." Vaidehī looked up and gazed at Rāghava in admiration and love. Rāma held Sītā's hand and took Her to the swing where They sat together. 

"We are incomplete without each other. Our marriage is like a temple and we are its two pillars. Both the pillars are important and neither of them can function individually. How can our lives be peaceful if no compatibility exists between us? We are best friends! The Husband is the Wife's friend and the wife is the dearest friend and well-wisher of the Husband. We accompany and guide each other throughout our lives, O Sītey! You are my eternal companion, my soul, the cause and meaning of all my actions! I know that you will support me in all my good deeds! Will you play your part in assisting me in my duties?" Sītā blushed and nodded. The admiration and love She had for Rāma multiplied every second and She was drowned in the love carried by Rāghava's words.

"What if I do something wrong? Will you support me?" Rāma asked with a twinkle in His eyes. Sītā looked at Him with wide eyes in great surprise and disbelief. Seeing Her innocence, Rāma smiled jovially and said, "I will never stray away from the path of Dharma by any means. However, committing mistakes is a part of human nature and whenever I err unintentionally, it's your duty to correct, alert and guide me in the right path throughout our life like a true friend." Sītā was greatly impressed and smiled in delight.

"You are the Goddess of my heart, O Vaidehī! This Rāma has been yours since the moment we met in the gardens of Mithilā! On this auspicious day, I wish to gift you something precious. It's neither gold nor any gem but a promise." Saying so, He got down from the swing and moved towards the window. Sītā, filled with immeasurable love, happiness and slight curiosity, went with Rāma and looked at Him who was gazing at the moon. "O Sītā! Standing before this full moon, I promise you that for me all women are strangers except you. A King can have many Queens but this Rāma will never ever entertain thoughts about other women. Rāma has only one Wife who will always be Sītā! This is my vow! The three worlds would call me as Sītā's Rāma. We will always be addressed together as Sītā Rāma for we are inseparable from each other!"

Sītā was so greatly touched that She was speechless for a few moments. Her ecstasy was indescribable. She was proud of the virtues of Her Lord. She drank the nectar of Rāma's love by deeply gazing into His eyes for a long time. "My Lord! This Sītā will always be devoted to you. You are my world and my only refuge. Nothing exists for me apart from you. I can't bear even a moment's separation from you and will support you in your mission everytime. I have immense faith in you that you could accomplish even the most impossible things, that's why you are Maryāda Purushottama!" Rāma was thrilled and overwhelmed beyond words hearing such beautiful words of support.

With such a transcendental mutual love, faith, respect and affection, the divine Couple spent many lovely seasons in each other's company. They were like the sun and sunlight and were each other's selves. They brought happiness and prosperity to Ayodhyā and won everyone's hearts. Rāma loved and cherished Sītā for each of Her charm and virtues. Sītā dearly loved and worshipped Rāma devotedly. Vaidehī alone resided in Rāghava's heart and Rāma alone permeated into Sītā's heart. They understood each other so well that there was no need to speak much. They conversed about Their thoughts just by Their hearts alone! Rāma treated Sītā with dignity and respect and valued Her opinions very much. Sītā felt safe, secure, cared and blissful with Rāma and never experienced any fear in voicing Her thoughts before Him. Her strong character with Her Lord's greatness was a great match. Together with Princess Jānakī, Raghunātha shone forth enthusiastically like Lord Vishnu in the company of Goddess Lakshmī.

May this ideal and beautiful Couple inspire us with their immortal love and eternally stay in our hearts. May this eternally wedded Divya Dampati enable us to relish The tale of Their wedding more and more. The thirst to sing Their glories is always unquenched! Let's surrender ourselves to Sītā and Rāma and seek Their blessings. Let's understand Their wonderful relationship and immerse ourselves in Their love.

I wholeheartedly thank Them for making me write about Their pastimes! I never imagined that I would be able to narrate this beautiful tale! Many thanks to my dear readers for reading this series regularly! You have been a great source of encouragement! Do tell me which part you liked the most!

May Jānakī and Jānakī Vallabha bless us all!

Rāma Rāma Jaya Rāja Rām!

Rāma Rāma Jaya Sītā Rām!

Jai Siyā Rām! 

Yours, 

Hari Priye