Across the Ganges

Guha and Sumanthra stood by the shore

Watching the boat drift away with the four

With his mind fixed on Rama, the oarsman oared

Proud on cradling Rama on her lap, the Ganges soared

Like a man trying to cross the Samsara ocean

The boat, like his body, was now in motion

Like the surrendered ego, the oarsman looked

Towards Rama, the conscience, his attention was hooked

Sita sat beside The Lord like the man’s devotion

Lakshman like efficiency stood to serve with passion

We learn from this that if our ego surrenders

The Lord enters our heart forgiving blunders

Along with Him come love and talent

Awakening within us our goodness latent

Once we manage to invite these three

We are, very soon, bound to be free

Her hands through the waves, Mother Sita swayed

Like a daughter to a Mother, Mother Sita prayed

Wishing their exile, at large, must benefit the world

Aromatic flowers to the river, in offering she hurled

She turned towards Her Lord with a whim

Story of Ganges, She wanted to hear from Him

The Lord narrated the story with a serene flow

Revealing the reasons for the river’s reverential glow

“This water was first born from Vishnu’s feet

And gifted to Brahma who sits on a lotus seat

In his kamandal, Brahma saved this water

And used it to worship Vishnu without falter

When Vishnu as Vikrama measured the sky

His feet entered Heaven, as He lifted it high

Seeing the Supreme Lord’s Feet appear before his eye

Brahma poured this water on it, leaving no part dry

The water that spilled flowed as a river through heaven

Sanctifying the upper worlds which are totally seven

The Devas rejoiced the birth of this water

By dancing for music accompanied with laughter”

Saying thus, Lord Rama paused for a moment

To see how His listeners had taken the event

For, a pot of water becoming a river was magical

He expected them to seek an explanation logical

He especially looked at the oarsman’s face

Which, did not show a doubtful trace

He then looked at Sita, who understood His mind

In picking up gestures, She was of the smartest kind

“Lord! How does a pot of water, small in size

To a river that is large, could give rise?”

In the oarsman’s view, this question was not right

On Mother Sita’s ignorance, he liked to throw some light

He came up with a beautiful example

To unquestioning faith, that was a sample

First, The Lord’s permission, he did seek

Then unto Mother Sita, he did speak

“The flame that we light, though tiny and small

Its light and heat throughout the room does fall

When a flame that we light can expand to that extend

Why must a drop, from the Lord’s feet, not expand?”

The oarsman’s faith, Lord Rama did appreciate

He also advised the former not to hate

The ones who seek logical reason

For curiosity is not a sinful passion

“Faith on one side is a matter of the heart

Brain on the other side, plays the rational part

Working as a team, they create wonders

Mocking each other, they commit blunders”

The oarsman realised Lord Rama’s words to be fair

And apologized to Mother Sita for mistaking Her

He then sought the answer for Mother Sita’s question

Lord Rama asked Lakshman to grant some vision

Mother Sita and the oarsman became eager to hear

Lakshman started to explain from Lord Rama’s rear

“I share with you what my Brother has taught

None of the following is my own thought

What, is a second in Brahma’s world

Is like a year in the heavenly world

What, is a year in the heavenly world

Is like a century in our human world

What, is a drop in Lord Brahma’s world

Is like a river in the heavenly world

What, is a river in the heavenly world

Is like an ocean in our own world”

The oarsman‘s eyes were now open wide

He turned with remorse towards Mother Sita’s side

“You are the Lord’s wife, how could you go wrong?

My Intellect like Yours is not very strong”

Mother Sita reassured him that he need not be sorry

Heated debates while learning are nothing to worry

Only that, one must not become angry or proud

From seeing the truth, these two would shroud

A lot from them, the oarsman learned

He felt grateful for the knowledge earned

Talks from Lord Rama, he wanted more

For his chance was only till the shore

“Lord! I want more of your voice that is melodic

The message that you convey to me is benefic

Mother! Ask the Lord about something interesting

Perhaps about scriptural verses, sometimes contrasting”

Mother Sita accepted, on his behalf, to enquire

She wanted the oarsman, some info, to acquire

“Lord, The Ganges that once belonged to heaven

How and why, to the earth, was it given?”

Lord Rama was delighted to continue Ganga’s story

Which also spoke of His great fore-fathers’ glory

The story that was His childhood fave

Great inspiration, to Him, it always gave

“King Sagara belonged to the Sun Dynasty

He ruled the earth with all honesty

He had two wives, like his right and left hands

Except for a child, they had no demands

So, King Sagara and his wives approached a sage

And expressed their grief after paying homage

The sage pitied them and decided to offer relief

He spoke words to wipe out their grief

“My power can give one son to one of your wives

The other wife must bear sixty thousand lives

The one son, for progeny, is blessed to be paternal

The sixty thousand sons will make your name eternal

The one son, for progeny, which queen would bear?

To mother sixty thousand sons, which queen would dare?

They must make their choices in agreement, mutual

If not, I cannot perform for them the needed ritual”

The first queen chose to prolong her husband’s glorious line

The second queen chose to make his name eternally shine

Thus was born Asamanjan who was very cruel

And his sixty thousand brothers, masters in duel

Asamanjan begot Ansuman a pious and beautiful child

But to other kids, in the kingdom, he was wild

Sadistic was he, throwing children into the river

He watched them drown, laughing out his liver

When King Sagara heard this, he was dejected

He ordered his son, out of the nation, to be ejected

Anyway, the King found solace in his grandson Ansuman

Who, grew up through years into a very good man

King Sagara started the Aswamedha yagna

Somehow overcoming the unpleasant stigma

Ashwameda involves a horse that is white

To travel all nations and return without fight

If it comes back safe, the yagna is completed

But if any king obstructs, he has to be defeated

In case the horse promptly doesn’t return

Endless misery would start to churn

So, the horse was sent out fully decked

Indra did not want it to go unchecked

He was jealous, King Sagara would succeed

He stole the horse and hid it, to impede

Sixty thousand sons of Sagara started to search

Around the world they started to angrily lurch

They dug up all land leaving it with dents

The world was terrified by those furious gents

They entered a cave that was dark on the way

Sage Kapila was meditating there night and day

Behind him, tied was the horse, well secluded

Sage Kapila to be the thief, they hastily concluded

Wanting to punish him for the act, forward they dashed

The sage opened his fire emitting eyes, and they got ashed

The Sage regretted the event that ended up nasty

But he knew, in defense, he had to be hasty

Their return from search, by the king, was eagerly expected

Seeing no sign of their imminent return, the king suspected

Something bad, to his beloved sons, must have happened

His sorrow of loosing the horse, further, got deepened

At his grandpa’s behest, for his uncles, Ansuman sought

He searched in all the places, where his uncles had fought

Finally he too entered the cave and saw the horse

Also his uncles’s ashes and wanted to know the cause

He waited in the cave, till the sage’s penance ended

The answer for his questions, Sage Kapila then rendered

The sage also said that his uncles, who are now ashes,

Will be liberated, only if, Ganga descends and washes!

Already old and now in pain, King Sagara breathed his last

The job of getting the Ganges, unto Ansuman’s shoulders was cast

Ansuman could not think of a way, till his end

It became his son Dilipa’s job to make amend

Dilipa was renowned in the world as a mighty warrior

Yet, to the job his predecessors left, he was just a carrier

To him was born King Bhagiratha the great

The compulsive one who wiped off his clan’s ill-fate

King Bhagiratha handed to his ministers, the kingship reigns

And went alone to the forest to take up pains

Determined to bring Ganges to the ground

Deep in his meditation he got drowned

Brahma appeared before him after centuries went

To Bhagiratha’s noble request, he accepted to relent

Anyway he warned of Ganga’s mighty force during descent

And only Shiva can bear it on his head that sports a crescent

Bhagiratha, towards success, wanted to advance

In order to propitiate Shiva, he started his penance

A few centuries again slowly went by

Until one day Shiva appeared to say hi

Shiva the splendid who is easily appeased

Accepted to dike the Ganges, once it is released

Brahma kept up his word and Ganga started to rush

Proud of her might, she thought, Shiva would crush

All knowing Shiva sensed her thought

Hence within his tresses she got caught

To teach her a lesson Shiva kept her there

Later, released her on seeing his devotee’s despair

Ganga now pure, with her pride humbled

Down from Kailash, she gradually tumbled

Like the happy tears that rolled down Bhagiratha’s cheek

She rolled down the hill like mercury with grace and sleek

On the way down she suddenly vanished

Leaving poor Bhagiratha fully astonished

When he went in search, his heart was about to burst

As he saw a sage named Jhanu, quenching his thirst

The sage collected all of Ganga in a pot

And drank to his content, the entire lot

The sage had done so since she became proud again

And spoiled a ritual he was doing for spiritual gain

Bhagiratha explained to the sage about his quest

The sage accepted to release The Ganges, lest

Bhagiratha’s tremendous effort will go in vain

And effort-taking habits, in future, will go drain

The sage released The Ganges through his ears

Bhagiratha at last succeeded after a legion of years

The Ganga now flowed unhindered with pomp

Dragging rocks and trees, in its playful stomp

Ganga roared into Kapila’s cave washing off the ashes

Liberating sixty thousand souls before a lightning flashes

It further went on to fill all the dents those warriors dug

After occupying two third of the world, it became smug

Thus were formed the seven oceans of the earth

Where fishes, sharks and whales play in mirth

It is popularly known as Sagar as per the sage’s word

The sixty thousand sons made the name always heard

Bhagirathi and Jhanavi are also Ganga’s names

To ever remind us of Bhagiratha’s and Jhanu’s fames

This is the story of Ganges, the holy

Which, cleanses sins, earned by folly"

Thus Lord Rama expounded the story of the Ganges

Whose roots are not exactly in the Himalayan ranges

Sita, Lakshman and the oarsman were delighted with Ram

Jai Shri Ram! Jai Jai Shri Ram!!

The Oarsman’s trick!

Lord Rama woke up opening His beautiful eyes

Resembling lotuses blossoming on seeing sunrise

His eyelids while opening were like, shells of the sea

Revealing black coloured pearls gleaming with glee

Mother Sita had already woken before Him

The jungle had raised Her wit and vim

She always wanted, by Her Husband, to be seen

Beautiful, brisk and decorated serene

Lakshman had made all arrangements for his Lord

To perform worship to the sun as per Vedic record

He became a mother in caring for His Brother’s needs

Not as a service, but worship, he performed his deeds

Guha by this time had arranged, vegetarian food

Fruits, roots and green leaves, tasty and good

He had seen in Shri Rama, the meaning of noble

He was inspired by Lakshman to be selfless and able

Sumanthra was the one who was now sad at heart

Knowing Rama would order him to soon depart

He gazed at Rama as if to capture Rama’s image

It looked as if he was trying to gauge

If he could take Rama captive in his virtual mind

In order to prevent Rama from staying behind

He realised the futility of what his helpless mind wished

He could not stop the tear that profusely gushed

Lord Rama worshipped the sun giving water as oblations

This gave Him clarity in seeing, amidst problems, solutions

Rama then accepted the food, Guha offered with care

Sita and Lakshman also accepted their humble share

Lord Rama then approached Sumanthra, the earnest

Folded His palms in reverence and spoke words, honest

“Venerable Sir, Thou to me have been more like a father

I seek your permission, in my journey, to continue further

Though being a minister, you took up the rein

And served me as a driver, not expecting gain

I know how much your heart would pain

In seeing my image, as I go, become wane

Yet I have to say, it is time for us to part

With gratitude I appreciate you, for your part

Go back home and be with my dad

You are the best friend, he always had

Tell him we are happy and help him lighten

Let his face that is dark with sorrow, brighten

Tell our mothers, we send our regards with respect

On noble Bharatha’s character, let them not suspect

Serve my brother, like you served my father

The subjects support for him, you must gather

When you meet my brother next, you must tell

I will always be praying for him to be well

Tell him to accept the Kingdom without any guilt

I know it was his mother, not him, for me being jilt

Tell him when I return, I will not dispute over right

I will lay my life for him, rather than starting a fight”

Saying thus Lord Rama ended His message

To Sumanthra’s heart it was a heavy luggage

Anyway he nodded realising its worthy weightage

He decided to carry it without demanding freightage

To keep Rama with him for ever, Guha desperately desired

Even to surrender his kingdom, he was truly inspired

He spoke words, through which his devotion transpired

Hoping to succeed in achieving for what he aspired

“Shri Rama! To thy holy feet, I surrender my all

May Your rule on this kingdom from now befall

You father’s words don’t fail as this is already jungle

I want you to be with us, as our King, and mingle”

“Dear Guha! What merit have I done to be your friend!?

One’s own kingdom for his friend, who could extend!?

Goose bumps through me, your loving words send

As a fifth brother in my heart you have tightly blend

Wishing to make the exile term useful, I have taken

Some vows as per the Vedas that cannot be shaken

In staying with you, Father’s promise does not flaw

But I cannot do my penance abiding ascetic law

Thank you so much for making this noble offer

One who has friends like you is never a pauper

Enjoying comfort and pleasure I must not stay

Please forgive me and allow me to go my way”

Guha, though not happy, realised Rama’s position

He could appreciate the genuinity in Rama’s decision

He fell at Lord Rama’s feet seeking Rama’s blessing

Rama blessed Guha, with an embrace that was pressing

Rama’s action proves that in His eyes all are same

Though one may belong, by caste, to any frame

It also brings to light that He is simple by mind

To the fact that He was royal, He was always blind

Lord Rama then discussed with Guha about His route

And decided, crossing Ganges on a boat, would best suit

Guha ordered his men to summon his personal oarsman

And wait at the place where the river’s course ran

The oarsman was not a very educated man

To Lord Rama he had already become a fan

He was also among the crowd that spent the dark

In awe and amazement hearing Lakshman talk

When Guha told him, to take Rama across

He straight away refused to obey his boss

Embarrassed before Rama, Guha asked for a reason

To which the oarsman replied without any confusion

“Dear King, for not obeying your words I am sorry

Only yesterday we heard your divine friend’s story

Though I love to serve Him, I am afraid to

Thinking of what His Holy Feet’s dust can do

In case my boat becomes a girl, like the stone

My wife will fight with me and break my bone

Even her anger I can manage, if I try to sob

But I will end up with two wives and no job”

The divine three and Guha laughed at this

Guha tried to tell him, nothing would go amiss

But the oarsman was not convinced enough

To make him see the truth was very tough

Lord Rama said He was going to wash His feet

The oarsman could check for himself if it was neat

And then he could allow Lord Rama to board

The beautifully decorated boat that is shored

Though the oarsman did appreciate the thought

It could not untie completely his doubtful knot

He personally wanted to do the cleaning

Guha now realised the oarsman’s meaning

“So intentionally you put up all this Drama

Seeking a chance to worship the feet of Shri Rama!?”

He looked to Lord Rama for opinion with a smile

Lord Rama agreed to accede, to the oarsman’s guile

The oarsman made Lord Rama sit

On a rock that was flat and fit

For Lord Rama’s Feet, he placed a wooden slate

He worshipped The Feet, singing a song innate

“Even great sages wait for years, in numbers, vast

For the moment their Lord blesses them, at last

But this fortunate one is here, before his Lord, now

Could anyone understand this and tell me how?

How blessed am I to be here now!

And see the Feet that blessings bestow!

To the feet that carry The Noblest, I bow

At the sight of which my heart seeps love

These feet, that kicked King Dasaratha on the face

And filled him with joy like he was in a heavenly place

These feet that walked on Queen Kausalya’s breast

Filling her with pride like she was honoured in a fest

These feet, that rode on mighty elephants

Which were overjoyed, like carrying their own infants

These feet, that hopped onto energetic horses

Making them want to run for ever, without pauses

These feet, those carry that mighty hero

Who reduced miscreant numbers to zero

And helped Vishwamitra complete his work

Not expecting anything in return as perk

These feet, that entered the Mithila city

And wiped off King Janaka’s longtime pity

These feet, that Mother Sita daily wakes upon

And touches them in worship at dusk and dawn

I am blessed as I pour water on it

I am blessed as I am cleansing it

The feet that cleansed Ahalya’s sins

Cleanses my soul as I rinse

To apply on it, I do not have sandal paste

Yet my worship to it will not go waste

For the one these feet carry is the most merciful

In protecting the surrendered ones He is ever dutiful

Won’t this precious moment, last for ever?

Can I not always be with the most gracious giver?

Anyway, I have already captured Him in my heart

Why should I worry, if He wants to depart?

The Lord who has a duty towards all other creatures

Has spend this moment for me, to admire His features

Expecting anything more than this would be greedy

Let Him go to devotees who are, for his presence, needy

Remembering this moment I can spend my life

For this moment in my memory is filled, rife

Thank you my Lord for giving me a chance

Thank you my Lord for casting a glance

Jai Shri Ram! Jai Jai Shri Ram!!

Jai Shri Ram! Jai Jai Shri Ram!!

Jai Shri Ram! Jai Jai Shri Ram!!

Jai Shri Ram! Jai Jai Shri Ram!!”

Singing thus the oarsman finished his worship

Guha felt proud of having the man under his kingship

Thus the oarsman rejoiced in worshipping Ram

Jai Shri Ram! Jai Jai Shri Ram!!

Lakshman Narrates Mother Sita’s Marriage

Lakshman was beaming with joy that he got a chance

Enouncing his Brother’s glories, he entered a trance

Guha was so engrossed in his friend’s words

He was lifted from earth to the heavenly worlds

Neither of them noticed the crowd that had gathered

The Nishada people there were completely smothered

By the qualities and achievements of their king’s Noble Friend

Sumanthra too was one among the audience, in perfect blend

With The Lord and Mother in their divine sleep

And the moon allowing its rays everywhere to seep

It looked like Vishnu and Lakshmi in their divine abode

The Milk Ocean and white moonlight in perfect accord

The crowd that gathered there to be at guard

Was like the Devas who came to worship the Lord

Lakshman equalled Indra in both status and lustre

For he was now at the head of the devotional cluster

Lakshman continued to narrate the events that followed

Listening to which, the crowd was completely wallowed

“Our Guru then led us into a country beyond compare

I felt, nature to other places, had been very unfair

Videha was the fabulous country’s name

Mithila was the capital city of the same

Rivers gushed like children running towards their mother

The flora that flourished looked like they never wither

The cattle were well fed and roamed about free

Running, hopping, and chasing, they played in glee

Elephants that were trained carried people around

Trumpeting like thunder for their pride to resound

In the streets, long and broad, traces were buried

Left behind by chariots while their horses hurried

I saw mansions, white, tall and majestic on the sides

And pairs of eyes vanishing suddenly behind the hides

With the mansions passing behind us like a river

Those eyes looked like diving fishes, caught by quiver

The king Janaka approached our guru on the way

Treating our guru like God, he started to pray

Told our guru that it was his good fortune

And that he had long awaited this opportune

After our guru blessed him, wishing him well

He ordered arrangements be made for us to dwell

We were guided to a palace and well received

And showered with care and comfort, unconceived

After a night’s rest we were invited to the king’s court

Where numerous kings and princes had gathered to court

The hand of Janaka’s daughter, Janaki, in marriage

Determined to return, not without Her, in their carriage

For the news of the Princess’ beauty had traveled far

Making the hearts of those princes a love filled jar

With mounting desire they were gathered there

Hoping to outwit one other and possess Her

Once the assembly was settled down and ready

King Janaka who was learned, wise and heady

Stood up, welcomed all and started to orate

About a bow that was kept in a decorated crate

“The bow that you see belonged to Shiva, the mighty

The Consort of Shakthi and an adorable deity

It had been handed to my lineage by Him as a gift

Even when a thousand men pulled, it could not be shift

But a few years ago I saw a wonder with my eyes

From then on I have been heaving endless sighs

Worrying about finding my daughter a perfect pair

This condition of lifting that bow, I had to declare

For I saw my little daughter who was just five or four

Carry this bow with ease and place it on the floor

And then replaced it with ease in a playful flow

While trying to take her ball caught beneath the bow

She has always been a startling delight

Right from the day she fell at my sight

For I found her wrapped in a silken cloth

While I tilled the earth, forgoing sloth

I thought of her as my child, given to me by earth

My wife Sunayana rejoiced like she had given birth

From then on Sita had been delighting us like a butterfly

Growing in the garden of our hearts, relishing love supply

My little girl, Sita, is now grown up and ripe

As to who would marry her, there is much hype

Anyone who lifts the bow and strings it tight

Would win her hand and wealth of enormous height”

Saying thus the King declared the contest to start

One by one the kings and princes tried their part

The bow moved for none, not even an inch

Making the princes’ pride, feel a pinch

My guru then ordered my Brother to lift the bow

Brother Ram obeyed, disinterested in competing though

He walked up to the dais with all eyes open wide

And lifted the bow high, from where it had lied

Holding it tight, He placed one end on the floor

Leaving all His competitors shaken to the core

While He tried to string, the mighty bow snapped

People forgot to close their mouths leaving it gapped

The sound while it snapped echoed like thunder

It lay dead like His rival’s hopes, broken asunder

The people of Mithila, resounded the hall with claps

Their applauding shouts and cries took long to lapse

The king was filled with joy and almost in tears

For he was waiting for this moment for many years

He stood up along with his men and applauded loud

Showering applause on my brother like a sonic cloud

Looked like the sound that arose while the bow had snapped

Echoed in volume and numbers while the large crowd clapped

The king raised his hands to silence the crowd

There was pin drop silence making him proud

“I thank this young Man for accomplishing this feat

I hereby declare Him as the winner of this meet

I humbly request Him to accept my daughter as his wife

Who would be devoted to Him through out Her life”

My Brother Rama sought my Guru’s permission to speak

And spoke, revealing His character which is always at its peak

“I would be more than happy to accept your gift, provided

Two conditions imposed by me have been met and abided

Oh! Venerable King! Forgive me for showing reluctance

But the expectations of my mind are of utmost importance

I want your daughter to choose, like any other princess

After getting a chance to see all other kings and princes

I believe, women are not like cattle or land

To make them gifts and exchange by hand

Incase your daughter chooses me again

The second condition by me will still remain

Only my father can fulfill my second condition

By coming here and giving his hearty permission

If these two conditions are fulfilled with ease

My heart, after that, would remain in peace”

The whole assembly applauded His virtuous plea

His rivals thanked Him, saying, His heart was a sea

Though some princes again sat back with renewed hope

Many of them wished my Brother must win the nuptial rope

King Janaka appreciated my Brother’s noble thought

Praised our lineage for the kind of men it had brought

He said, my brother seemed to be an epitome of that line

And blessed that my Brother’s glory would eternally shine

He then had his daughter brought to the court

Told her the change of events in a short report

And gave her permission to be anyone’s bride

But the victory was always on my brother’s side

Without turning to the side of Her awaiting suitors

Leaving some of their hopes again in shatters

She said she wanted to marry the one

Who had broken the bow and already won

“With that mighty descendant of Raghu I am in love

My fortunate hands to Him, in marriage, please bestow

I choose Him not because of what he had did

But because, my opinion in this He tried to bid”

With eyes fixed on the floor she spoke her mind

Went near her father, the king, and stood behind

I was amazed by the firmness of her decision

In choosing her groom without having His vision

King Janaka patted Her for being so wise

My Brother’s popularity was on the rise

My guru congratulated and blessed my brother

Who was basking in kudos and praiseful shower

The king sent forth messengers to my father’s place

Who set forth on horses and hurried as if on race

The other princes though half-hearted had to return home

While we were requested to make ourselves at home

It took a week for my father to arrive on the scene

He embraced us tight, for quite a while it had been

He praised my brother and showered him with kisses

And gave his permission for marriage with a lot of yeses

My Brother was very happy and relieved now

For with the bride in question he had fallen in love

He had fallen in love with her at the very first sight

While She entered the court and said He was right

The week that went was like an era to him

Not liking to eat much He had become slim

Though He knew our father would agree

He was eager and anxious to a great degree

The King Janaka received my father with due respect

And discussed with him about the marriage prospect

Both liked each other and came to terms very quickly

They became like long term friends and bonded thickly

The marriage was decided to be on the very next day

By Vashishta and Vishwamitra who had the final say

After reading horoscopes and checking auspicious time

The next day morning was set as prime

It was also decided, along with my brother

Bharatha, Shatrugna and I will also tether

For the king had, three more daughters at hand

Who were ready to receive their bridal strand

The Big Day arrived like the rising sun

Soaking everyone in joy leaving out none

It was a Wednesday the most auspicious of the week

The star was Uttaraphalguni that shines bright and sleek

The stage was decorated with flowers of uplifting smell

Anyone who saw that came under a momentary spell

At the centre of it was a sacred fire emitting light and heat

To be a witness to the marriage, it had already taken its seat

Brother Rama arrived there in His majesty like a second fire

Looking handsome beyond compare in His wedding attire

He was dressed in white interspersed with yellow

He came and took his place with a walk that was mellow

Mother Sita walked like a swan and stood beside

Fixing her eyes on the floor for her emotions to hide

She wore a fulvid silk sari, woven with golden threads

Her ornaments of gold glittering with gem imbeds

Janaka took the couples’ hand and united them

And spoke, clearing his choking voice with a hem

“I here by declare my daughter as your wife

To serve you she will dedicate her entire life

In ever following you, She will be your shadow

In ever brightening your glory, She will be your halo

Like a mother She will take care of your need

Like a daughter, to your words, She will pay heed”

Saying thus, into Brother Rama’s hands, he poured water

Music of blessings was heard from the divine quarter

The duo came around the fire in clockwise direction

Thus was re-established between them their eternal connection

Following their union we brothers too married the very same day

Bharatha married Mandavi and they looked like a sun and its ray

Then I married my Urmila who is like breathe to me

And Shathrugna was united with Shruthakirti for ever to be”

Listening to this marvelous story, the crowd forgot

To see the sun that was rising like a red apricot

So enthralling to everyone is the story of Ram!

Jai Shri Ram! Jai Jai Shri Ram!