Sarga 73: Marriage Celebration
Vivaha Utsav
The grand celebration of the four marriages in Mithila.
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अलं-चकार तां वेदिं गन्धपुष्पै: समन्तत:। सुवर्णपालिकाभिश्च छिद्रकुम्भैश्च साङ्कुरै:।
Meaning
duly built the altar in the middle of the pavilion according to the scriptures, and decorated that altar all around with fragrant flowers,
अङ्कुराढ्यै: शरावैश्च धूपपात्रै: सधूपकै:। शङ्खपात्रै: स्रुवै: स्रुग्भि: पात्रैरर्घ्याभिपूरितै:।
Meaning
with golden vessels, water-pots pierced and filled with sprouts, dishes heaped with sprouts, and censers together with burning incense,
लाजपूर्णैश्च पात्रौघैरक्षतैरपि संस्कृतै:। दर्भै: समै: समास्तीर्य विधिवन्मन्त्रपूर्वकम्।
Meaning
with conch-shaped vessels, sacrificial ladles and bowls, vessels filled with water for the offerings, and dishes of parched grain along with unbroken consecrated rice,
अग्निमाधाय वेद्यां तु विधिमन्त्रपुरस्कृतम्। जुहावाग्नौ महातेजा वसिष्ठो भगवानृषि:।
Meaning
having spread even Darbha grass according to the mantras and scriptural procedure, the great-resplendent sage Vasishta, reciting the scriptural formulas, placed the fire upon the altar and poured oblations into it.
तत: सीतां समानीय सर्वाभरणभुषिताम्। समक्षमग्ने: संस्थाप्य राघवाभिमुखे तदा।
Meaning
Then, having brought Sita adorned with every ornament, and set her before the sacred fire, facing Rama, at that moment
अब्रवीज्जनको राजा कौसल्यानन्दवर्धनम्। इयं सीता मम सुता सहधर्मचरी तव।
Meaning
Janaka said to Rama, the delight of Kausalya: 'This is my daughter Sita, who will share your dharma as your wife;
प्रतीच्छ चैनां भद्रं ते पाणिं गृह्णीष्व पाणिना। पतिव्रता महभागा छायेवानुगता सदा।
Meaning
accept her, and take her hand in your own hand -- may blessedness be yours. This most fortunate and devoted wife will ever follow you like a shadow.'
इत्युक्त्वा प्राक्षिपद्राजा मन्त्रपूतं जलं तदा। साधु साध्विति देवानामृषीणां वदतां तदा।
Meaning
Having said this, the king then sprinkled the mantra-consecrated water, and as the gods and sages cried out 'well done, well done!',
देवदुन्दुभिनिर्घोष: पुष्पवर्षो महानभूत्। एवं दत्त्वा तदा सीतां मन्त्रोदकपुरस्कृताम्।
Meaning
a great sound of celestial kettledrums arose and a mighty shower of flowers fell from the sky. Having thus given Sita, accompanied by the mantra-consecrated water,
अब्रवीज्जनको राजा हर्षेणाभिपरिप्लुत:। लक्ष्मणागच्छ भद्रं ते ऊर्मिलां च ममात्मजाम्।
Meaning
overjoyed, king Janaka said: 'Lakshmana, come -- may blessedness be yours; take my own daughter Urmila,