RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN—CHAPTER 73
THE WEDDING
The same day Yudhajit reached Mithila. He was the son of the Kekaya King and uncle to Bharata on his mother’s side. Dasaratha welcomed him warmly. They had mutual enquiries. After that, the visitor addressed the Lord of Kosala. “The Ruler of Kekaya makes anxious enquiries after your well-being. And he desires me to tell you that those in whose welfare you are interested, enjoy peace and happiness. His heart yearns for a sight of my sister’s son. And I am here to take him back. At Ayodhya I heard you are here to celebrate the marriage of your sons. And I am eager to see my nephew.”
He was a welcome guest to Dasaratha. He entertained the worthy prince right royally. A happy night they passed. And next morning Dasaratha finished his religious observances. And he followed the sages on to the sacrificial grounds. At the auspicious moment, Vjaya, Rama and his brothers came to the place in the wake of Vasishtha and other sages. They had already completed the preliminary rites.
Then rose up Vasishtha and spoke to Janaka. “Dasaratha and his sons have come here. They are ready for the consummation of the marriage. They await the pleasure of the Giver. Eternal blessings crown the heads of the giver and receiver. Perform this marriage according to your traditions.”
At which words of the holy Vasishtha, Janaka, cried out, “This kingdom is yours to command. It is curious to hesitate to make yourself at home in it. Look at my daughters near the altar. They are like tounges of flame. They have gone through the preliminary rites. And I await your arrival. Why not my royal brother proceed straight here, but tarries?”
Dasaratha accepted the kind invitation. And he hastened to enter the hall. The princes and the sages followed him.
Janaka then turned to Vasishtha and prayed, “Holy one! You and your brothers conduct the marriage rites of Rama and the World’s Delight.”
“So be it” replied the sage. He proceeded to the altar along with Visvamitra and Satananda. He laid out the fire-place therein. And they decorated it with sweet perfumes and bright flowers. Fresh shoots peeped out from many a vessel of gold. Countless censers wafted sweet perfumes over the hall. Shells, spoons, ladles, salvers were ready to welcome the honoured guest. Fried corn and coloured rice were in gemmed goblets. They stood in magnificent array. With solemn rites, they spread the sacred grass. And they lighted the holy fire. Vasishtha made offerings to the Radiant God. Janaka then led forward Sita. Sita was gaily dressed for the occasion. And he placed her before the Fire in front of Rama. And spoke these words of solemn import.
“Sita here, my daughter, shares with you the duties of life. Accept her from me in a sign of holy wedlock. May all good be thine.
A faithful wife she will prove to you. My noble girl will ever be with you as your own shadow.”
He paused and poured over Rama’s hands the consecrated water. Shouts of applause from sages and gods shook the hall. Celestial music played on high. And flowers of heavenly fragrance rained on the happy couple.
Janaka next turned to Lakshmana and with a joyful heart exclaimed: “Come to me, Lakshmana, and receive from me my daughter Urmila. I bestow her on you. Be quick about it and all good be yours.”
Bharata’s turn came next. Janaka said to him, “Noble scion of the race of Raghu! You take Mandavi unto you for wife”. And last came Satrughna, to whom Janaka made over Srutakriti. He said, “Join you your hands in holy matrimony. Every one of you is blessed with all desirable graces of body and mind. And you have kept your observances. It is right that you take upon yourselves the duties of a householder’s life.”
The four royal youths clasped hands of the four maidens. The princes then went round the Sacred Fire. And after-marriage rites were duly gone through. The delighted gods showered the heavenly flowers on them. The valiant youths went round the Sacred Fire once, twice and thrice. And led their happy brides homeward.
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