RAMACHARITMANAS

The wedding Procession

Sitarama Kalyanam Part 1

||om tat sat||

-

The Marriage Procession and Welcome to the Bridegroom's Party.
================================

इयं सीता मम सुता सहधर्मचरी तव
प्रतीच्छ चैनां भद्रंते पाणीं गृह्णीष्व पाणिना ॥
This sloka is explained elaborately by commentators .

इयम् - this Sita.
1. who is well known not only for her beauty but also because of her mode of manifestation.
Sita means the edge of the plough and she was called Sita because she appeared from the earth when the tip of the plough touched the ground where she was.
Being अयोनिज , not born from the womb she shines with her special attributes natural to her.

2. She is like lightning and could not be seen with normal eyes and hence see her well.

3. Rama as Narayana has been separated from Sita, (Lakshmi) for long and therefore he would have been seeing her everywhere even when she is not there. Hence he was told that Sita is here.

4. She also, like Rama, acts like a human being but has taken the incarnation for the sake of Rama only.

5. She has come to Janaka because of much penance in order to be given to Rama in कन्यादान.

मम सुता - my daughter.
Janaka is a rajarshi and being his daughter is a testimonial for Sita . This adjective is the predecessor of the next.

सह्धर्मचरी तव- She will be a fit companion for you in all your pursuits, both yoga and bhoga.
For instance Sita proved to be a सह्धर्मचरी in showing mercy like Rama , if not more than Rama, who accepted Vibheeshana who was faultless, while she showed mercy even to those who wronged against her in Asokavana , by saying 'न कस्चित् नापराध्यति, who has not done something wrong ever.'
Rama narrated the story of the doves to illustrate his शरनागति धर्म and likewise Sita told Hanuman the story of the bear and the tiger.

प्रतीच्च चैनाम्- Take her . She actually belonged to Rama and hence Janaka says "take her " and not "I give her to you."

भद्रम् तॆ- May you be auspicious by marrying her. It is a मन्गलाशासनम् to ward off evil eyes as the couple are extraordinarily suited to each other.
These words occur very often in Valmiki Ramayana. Being a sage he bestows benediction to the characters and through them to the readers.

पाणिम् ग्र्ह्नीश्व पाणिन- take her by hand. By this Janaka denotes his approval as her father. This also denotes that the marriage is a Brahma one with the consent of the parents.

Janaka gave away Sita by pouring water purified by mantras in the hand of Rama by way of कन्यादन, saying 'पतिव्रता महाभागा चाया इव अनुगता तव.'
These words, meaning that she is chaste and fortunate and will follow you like shadow, are indicative of her following Rama to the forest later. She reminds this to Rama and says that she has to go with him as per the orders of the elders.
==============================

जनक सुकृत मूरति बैदेही। दसरथ सुकृत रामु धरें देही॥
"Vaidehi (Sita) is the incarnation of Janaka's merit, and Rama is Dasaratha's virtue personified.

इन्ह सम काँहु न सिव अवराधे। काहिँ न इन्ह समान फल लाधे॥
No one has worshipped Siva with such devotion as these two kings, nor has anyone obtained such a reward as they have.

इन्ह सम को‌उ न भय‌उ जग माहीं। है नहिं कतहूँ होने‌उ नाहीं॥
No one has equalled them in this world, nor is there anyone to equal them anywhere nor shall be.

हम सब सकल सुकृत कै रासी। भ‌ए जग जनमि जनकपुर बासी॥
We are all storehouses of all kinds of merits in that we have been born in this world as residents of Janaka's capital.

जिन्ह जानकी राम छबि देखी। को सुकृती हम सरिस बिसेषी॥
पुनि देखब रघुबीर बि‌आहू। लेब भली बिधि लोचन लाहू॥
Who is so highly blessed as we, who have beheld the beauty of Janaki (Sita) and Rama? And we will witness Sri Rama's wedding and shall thereby richly reap the benefit of having our eyes."

कहहिं परसपर कोकिलबयनीं। एहि बि‌आहँ बड़ लाभु सुनयनीं॥
बड़ें भाग बिधि बात बना‌ई। नयन अतिथि हो‌इहहिं दो‌उ भा‌ई॥
Damsels with voice as sweet as the notes of the cuckoo whispered to one another, "O bright-eyed friends, we shall gain much by this union. By our great good-luck Providence has ordained things well: the two brothers shall often delight our eyes."

दो0-बारहिं बार सनेह बस जनक बोला‌उब सीय।
लेन आ‌इहहिं बंधु दो‌उ कोटि काम कमनीय॥310॥
"Time and again, out of affection Janaka will send for Sita (from Ayodhya); and the two brothers, charming as millions of Cupids put together, will come to take her back."

बिबिध भाँति हो‌इहि पहुना‌ई। प्रिय न काहि अस सासुर मा‌ई॥
तब तब राम लखनहि निहारी। हो‌इहहिं सब पुर लोग सुखारी॥

"There will be hospitality of every kind; who, dear one, would not love to stay at such a in-law's place.
On each such occasion all the people of the city will be happy to behold Sri Rama and Lakshmana.

सखि जस राम लखनकर जोटा। तैसे‌इ भूप संग दु‌इ ढोटा॥
स्याम गौर सब अंग सुहा‌ए। ते सब कहहिं देखि जे आ‌ए॥
King Dasaratha, my friends, has brought with him two other lads exactly resembling the pair of Rama and Lakshmana.
One dark, the other fair, but both charming of every limb: so declare all those who have seen them."

कहा एक मैं आजु निहारे। जनु बिरंचि निज हाथ सँवारे॥
भरतु रामही की अनुहारी। सहसा लखि न सकहिं नर नारी॥
Said another, "I saw them today: it appeared to me as though the Creator had fashioned them with his own hands.
Bharata is an exact copy of Rama; no man or woman could distinguish them at first sight.

लखनु सत्रुसूदनु एकरूपा। नख सिख ते सब अंग अनूपा॥
Lakshmana and Satrusudana (Satrughna) are indistinguishable from each other, peerless in every limb from head to foot.

मन भावहिं मुख बरनि न जाहीं। उपमा कहुँ त्रिभुवन को‌उ नाहीं॥
The four brothers attract the mind but cannot be described in words; for they have no match in all the three worlds."

छं0-उपमा न को‌उ कह दास तुलसी कतहुँ कबि कोबिद कहैं।
बल बिनय बिद्या सील सोभा सिंधु इन्ह से ए‌इ अहैं॥
Says Tulasidasa: "They have no comparison anywhere, so declare the poets and wise men. Oceans of strength, modesty, learning, amiability and beauty, they are their own Compeers."

पुर नारि सकल पसारि अंचल बिधिहि बचन सुनावहीं॥
ब्याहि‌अहुँ चारि‌उ भा‌इ एहिं पुर हम सुमंगल गावहीं॥
Spreading out the skirt of their garment (as a beggar would while asking for alms) all the women of the city made entreaties to the Creator, "May all the four brothers be married in this city and may we sing charming nuptial songs!"

सो0-कहहिं परस्पर नारि बारि बिलोचन पुलक तन।
सखि सबु करब पुरारि पुन्य पयोनिधि भूप दो‌उ॥311॥
Said the damsels to one another, with tears in their eyes and the hair on their body standing erect, "Friends, the Slayer of the demon Tripura will accomplish everything: the two kings are of such boundless merit." (311)

एहि बिधि सकल मनोरथ करहीं। आनँद उमगि उमगि उर भरहीं॥
In this way they all prayed and a flood of joy inundated their heart.

जे नृप सीय स्वयंबर आ‌ए। देखि बंधु सब तिन्ह सुख पा‌ए॥
कहत राम जसु बिसद बिसाला। निज निज भवन ग‌ए महिपाला॥
The princes who had come for Sita Swayamvara rejoiced to see the four brothers and returned to their respective homes extolling Sri Rama's widespread and spotless glory.

ग‌ए बीति कुछ दिन एहि भाँती। प्रमुदित पुरजन सकल बराती॥
मंगल मूल लगन दिनु आवा। हिम रितु अगहनु मासु सुहावा॥
Thus a few days elapsed to the delight alike of the citizens and all the members of the bridegroom's party. At length the blessed day of wedding arrived; it was the delightful month of Margasirsa and the beginning of the cold season.

ग्रह तिथि नखतु जोगु बर बारू। लगन सोधि बिधि कीन्ह बिचारू॥
पठै दीन्हि नारद सन सो‌ई। गनी जनक के गनकन्ह जो‌ई॥
Having carefully examined and determined the propitious nature of the planets, date, asterism, the conjunction of the stars, the day of the week and the hour of the wedding, (Brahma) the Creator despatched the note concerning the hour of the wedding through Narada; it was just the same that Janaka's astrologers had already determined.

सुनी सकल लोगन्ह यह बाता। कहहिं जोतिषी आहिं बिधाता॥
When all the people heard of this, they observed, "The astrologers of this place are so many Brahmas (creators) as it were."

दो0-धेनुधूरि बेला बिमल सकल सुमंगल मूल।
बिप्रन्ह कहे‌उ बिदेह सन जानि सगुन अनुकुल॥312॥
The most auspicious and sacred hour before sunset (which is the time when cows generally return home from pasture, and is consequently marked by clouds of dust raised by their hoofs) arrived; perceiving propitious omens, the Brahmanas apprised King Videha of its approach. (312)

उपरोहितहि कहे‌उ नरनाहा। अब बिलंब कर कारनु काहा॥
The king asked the family priest (Satananda), "What is the cause of delay now?"

सतानंद तब सचिव बोला‌ए। मंगल सकल साजि सब ल्या‌ए॥
संख निसान पनव बहु बाजे। मंगल कलस सगुन सुभ साजे॥
Satananda then summoned the ministers, who came equipped with all auspicious articles. A number of conches, drums and tabors sounded.
Festal vases and articles of good omen (such as curds, turmeric and blades of Durva grass) were displayed.

सुभग सु‌आसिनि गावहिं गीता। करहिं बेद धुनि बिप्र पुनीता॥
लेन चले सादर एहि भाँती। ग‌ए जहाँ जनवास बराती॥
Graceful women (whose husbands were alive) sang songs, and holy Brahmanas chanted Vedic texts. In this manner they proceeded to invite the bridegroom's party with due honour and called at the latter's lodgings.

कोसलपति कर देखि समाजू। अति लघु लाग तिन्हहि सुरराजू॥
When they witnessed King Dasaratha's glory, Indra (the lord of celestials) looked very small to them.

भय‌उ सम‌उ अब धारि‌अ पा‌ऊ। यह सुनि परा निसानहिं घा‌ऊ॥
गुरहि पूछि करि कुल बिधि राजा। चले संग मुनि साधु समाजा॥
"The hour has come; be good enough to start now," they submitted.
At this the drums gave a thundering beat. After consulting his preceptor and going through the family rites King Dasaratha sallied forth with a host of sages and holy men.

दो0-भाग्य बिभव अवधेस कर देखि देव ब्रह्मादि।
लगे सराहन सहस मुख जानि जनम निज बादि॥

Witnessing King Dasaratha's good fortune and glory and believing their birth as fruitless, Brahma and the other gods began to extol him with a thousand tongues. (313)

सुरन्ह सुमंगल अवसरु जाना। बरषहिं सुमन बजा‌इ निसाना॥
The gods perceived that it was a fit occasion for happy rejoicings; hence they rained down flowers and beat their drums.

सिव ब्रह्मादिक बिबुध बरूथा। चढ़े बिमानन्हि नाना जूथा॥
प्रेम पुलक तन हृदयँ उछाहू। चले बिलोकन राम बि‌आहू॥
Siva, Brahma and hosts of other gods mounted aerial cars in several groups. Their frames thrilling over with emotion and their hearts overflowing with joy they proceeded to witness Sri Rama's wedding.

देखि जनकपुरु सुर अनुरागे। निज निज लोक सबहिं लघु लागे॥
The gods felt so enraptured to see Janaka's capital that their own realms appeared to them as of small account.

चितवहिं चकित बिचित्र बिताना। रचना सकल अलौकिक नाना॥
They gazed with amazement at the wonderful pavilion and all the different works of art which were of a transcendental character.

नगर नारि नर रूप निधाना। सुघर सुधरम सुसील सुजाना॥
The people of the city, both men and women, were so many mines of beauty, well-formed, pious, amiable and wise.

तिन्हहि देखि सब सुर सुरनारीं। भ‌ए नखत जनु बिधु उजि‌आरीं॥
बिधिहि भयह आचरजु बिसेषी। निज करनी कछु कतहुँ न देखी॥
In their presence all the gods and goddesses appeared like stars in a moonlit night. The Creator (Brahma) was astounded above all; for nowhere did he find his own handiwork.

दो0-सिवँ समुझा‌ए देव सब जनि आचरज भुलाहु।
हृदयँ बिचारहु धीर धरि सिय रघुबीर बि‌आहु॥
Shiva exhorted all the gods saying, "Be not lost in wonder; calmly ponder in your heart that it is the wedding of Sita and the Hero of Raghu's race." (314)

जिन्ह कर नामु लेत जग माहीं। सकल अमंगल मूल नसाहीं॥
करतल होहिं पदारथ चारी। ते‌इ सिय रामु कहे‌उ कामारी॥
"At the very mention of whose name all evil is uprooted and the four ends of human existence are brought within one's grasp, such are Sita and Rama," said the Destroyer of Cupid, Sankara.

एहि बिधि संभु सुरन्ह समुझावा। पुनि आगें बर बसह चलावा॥
In this way Shiva counselled the divinities, and then spurred on His noble bull.
देवन्ह देखे दसरथु जाता। महामोद मन पुलकित गाता॥
The gods beheld Dasaratha marching (to Janaka's palace) with his heart full of rapture and the hair on his body standing erect.

साधु समाज संग महिदेवा। जनु तनु धरें करहिं सुख सेवा॥
The assemblage of holy men and Brahmanas accompanying the king appeared like joys incarnate ministering to him.

सोहत साथ सुभग सुत चारी। जनु अपबरग सकल तनुधारी॥
By his side shone forth the four handsome princes, incarnations as it were of the four types of final beatitude.

**** The four types of final beatitude as enumerated in the scriptures are as follows:

(1) Salokya (residence in the same heaven as the Supreme Deity),

(2) Sarupya (attaining a form similar to that of the Deity),

(3) Samipya (living in close proximity with the Deity), and

(4) Sayujya (complete absorption into the Deity).

मरकत कनक बरन बर जोरी। देखि सुरन्ह भै प्रीति न थोरी॥
The gods were greatly inspired with love to see two lovely pairs, one possessing the hue of emeralds and the other of golden hue.

पुनि रामहि बिलोकि हियँ हरषे। नृपहि सराहि सुमन तिन्ह बरषे॥
They were particularly delighted at heart to see Rama; and extolling the king they rained down flowers on him.
दो0-राम रूपु नख सिख सुभग बारहिं बार निहारि।
पुलक गात लोचन सजल उमा समेत पुरारि॥315॥
As Uma and the Slayer of the demon Tripura gazed again and again at Sri Rama's charming beauty from head to foot, the hair on Their body stood erect and Their eyes were bedewed with tears. (315)

केकि कंठ दुति स्यामल अंगा। तड़ित बिनिंदक बसन सुरंगा॥
His swarthy form possessed the glow of a peacock's neck, while His bright yellow raiment outshone the lightning.

ब्याह बिभूषन बिबिध बना‌ए। मंगल सब सब भाँति सुहा‌ए॥
Wedding ornaments of every kind, all auspicious and graceful in everyway, adorned His person.

सरद बिमल बिधु बदनु सुहावन। नयन नवल राजीव लजावन॥
His countenance was as delightful as the moon in a cloudless autumnal night; while His eyes put to shame a blooming pair of lotuses.

सकल अलौकिक सुंदरता‌ई। कहि न जा‌इ मनहीं मन भा‌ई॥
The elegance of His form was transcendent in all its details; yet enrapturing the mind, it defied description.

बंधु मनोहर सोहहिं संगा। जात नचावत चपल तुरंगा॥
Beside Him shone forth His lovely brothers, who rode curveting their restive steed.

राजकु‌अँर बर बाजि देखावहिं। बंस प्रसंसक बिरिद सुनावहिं॥
The other princes too displayed the pace of their horses and the family bards recited the glories of their line.

जेहि तुरंग पर रामु बिराजे। गति बिलोकि खगनायकु लाजे॥
कहि न जा‌इ सब भाँति सुहावा। बाजि बेषु जनु काम बनावा॥
Even the king of birds, Garuda, blushed for shame to note the speed of the steed that Rama bestrode; it was charming beyond description in everyway; it seemed as though Cupid himself had taken the form of horse.

छं0-जनु बाजि बेषु बना‌इ मनसिजु राम हित अति सोह‌ई।
आपनें बय बल रूप गुन गति सकल भुवन बिमोह‌ई॥
It seemed as if Cupid himself had appeared with all his charm in the disguise of a horse for the sake of Sri Rama and fascinated the whole universe with its youth and vigour, form and virtues as well as with its pace.

जगमगत जीनु जराव जोति सुमोति मनि मानिक लगे।
किंकिनि ललाम लगामु ललित बिलोकि सुर नर मुनि ठगे॥
A bejewelled saddle, thick set with beautiful pearls, gems and rubies shone on his back; the exquisite band with small tinkling bells and the lovely bridle, dazed gods, men and sages alike.

दो0-प्रभु मनसहिं लयलीन मनु चलत बाजि छबि पाव।
भूषित उड़गन तड़ित घनु जनु बर बरहि नचाव॥316॥
Marching with its mind completely merged in the Lord's will, the horse looked most beautiful, as though a cloud irradiated by stars and the fitful lightning had mounted a peacock and made it dance. (316)

जेहिं बर बाजि रामु असवारा। तेहि सारद‌उ न बरनै पारा॥
Even Sarada is unable to describe the noble steed on which Sri Rama rode.

संकरु राम रूप अनुरागे। नयन पंचदस अति प्रिय लागे॥
Sankara (who has five faces, with three eyes each) was enamoured of Sri Rama's beauty and congratulated himself on His possessing as many as fifteen eyes.

हरि हित सहित रामु जब जोहे। रमा समेत रमापति मोहे॥
When Sri Hari (Vishnu) fondly gazed on Rama, both Ramaa and Her lord were equally enchanted.

निरखि राम छबि बिधि हरषाने। आठ‌इ नयन जानि पछिताने॥

(The four-faced) Brahma too was delighted to behold Sri Rama's beauty; but he felt sorry to think that he had only eight eyes.

सुर सेनप उर बहुत उछाहू। बिधि ते डेवढ़ लोचन लाहू॥
The generalissimo of the heavenly host (the six-faced Kartikeya) exulted over the fact of his possessing one and a half as many (i.e., Twelve) eyes as Brahma.

रामहि चितव सुरेस सुजाना। गौतम श्रापु परम हित माना॥
When the wise lord of celestials gazed on Sri Rama (with his thousand eyes), he thought Gautama's curse as the greatest blessing.

देव सकल सुरपतिहि सिहाहीं। आजु पुरंदर सम को‌उ नाहीं॥
All the gods envied Indra and observed, "No one can vie with Purandara (Indra) today."

मुदित देवगन रामहि देखी। नृपसमाज दुहुँ हरषु बिसेषी॥
The whole host of heavenly beings rejoiced to behold Sri Rama and there was joy beyond measure in the court of both the monarchs.

छं0-अति हरषु राजसमाज दुहु दिसि दुंदुभीं बाजहिं घनी।
There was great rejoicing in the court of both the kings and a tempestuous clash of kettledrums on both sides;

बरषहिं सुमन सुर हरषि कहि जय जयति जय रघुकुलमनी॥
The gods rained down flowers, shouting in their joy, "Glory, glory, glory to the Jewel of Raghu's race!"

एहि भाँति जानि बरात आवत बाजने बहु बाजहीं।
In this way when it was known that the marriage procession was approaching, all sorts of music began to play;

रानि सु‌आसिनि बोलि परिछनि हेतु मंगल साजहीं॥
while Queen Sunayana (Sita's mother) summoned married women whose husbands were alive and prepared with their help auspicious materials for the ceremony of waving lights round the bridegroom.

दो0-सजि आरती अनेक बिधि मंगल सकल सँवारि।
चलीं मुदित परिछनि करन गजगामिनि बर नारि॥317॥
Kindling lights of various kinds and collecting all other articles of good omen, a bevy of graceful women, who possessed the charming gait of an elephant, proceeded joyfully to perform the ceremony of waving lights round the bridegroom. (317)

बिधुबदनीं सब सब मृगलोचनि। सब निज तन छबि रति मदु मोचनि॥
They all had moon-like faces, and eyes like those of a gazelle; by the elegance of their form they robbed Rati (Love's consort) of all self-conceit.

पहिरें बरन बरन बर चीरा। सकल बिभूषन सजें सरीरा॥
Attired in costly garments of various colours they had adorned their person with all kinds of ornaments.

सकल सुमंगल अंग बना‌एँ। करहिं गान कलकंठि लजा‌एँ॥
They had further beautified all their limbs with auspicious materials, and sang melodies that put to shame even a female cuckoo.

कंकन किंकिनि नूपुर बाजहिं। चालि बिलोकि काम गज लाजहिं॥
Bracelets, small bells round their waistband as well as anklets made a jingling sound as they moved and even Love's elephants blushed for shame to see their gait.

बाजहिं बाजने बिबिध प्रकारा। नभ अरु नगर सुमंगलचारा॥
सची सारदा रमा भवानी। जे सुरतिय सुचि सहज सयानी॥
कपट नारि बर बेष बना‌ई। मिलीं सकल रनिवासहिं जा‌ई॥
All kinds of music played and there was auspicious chanting of hymns both in the heavens and in the city. Sachi (Indra's consort), Sarada, Rama, Bhavani and other goddesses, who were pure-hearted and clever by nature, assumed the disguise of lovely women and joined the royal gynaecium.

करहिं गान कल मंगल बानीं। हरष बिबस सब काहुँ न जानी॥
They sang festal songs in a melodious voice; and as everyone was overcome with joy no one could recognize them.

छं0-को जान केहि आनंद बस सब ब्रह्मु बर परिछन चली।
Who should recognize whom, when everyone in the gynaeceum proceeded in her ecstatic joy to join the ceremony of waving lights round the bridegroom, who was no other than the Supreme Spirit incarnate.

कल गान मधुर निसान बरषहिं सुमन सुर सोभा भली॥
Melodious songs were being sung and kettledrums gently sounded; the gods rained down flowers and everything looked most charming.

आनंदकंदु बिलोकि दूलहु सकल हियँ हरषित भ‌ई॥
अंभोज अंबक अंबु उमगि सु‌अंग पुलकावलि छ‌ई॥
All the women were delighted at heart to behold the bridegroom, who was the fountain of joy; tears of love rushed to their lotus-like eyes and the hair on their pretty limbs stood erect.

दो0-जो सुख भा सिय मातु मन देखि राम बर बेषु।
सो न सकहिं कहि कलप सत सहस सारदा सेषु॥318॥

The joy which Sita's mother felt in her heart on beholding Sri Rama in the attire of a bridegroom was more than a thousand Saradas and Sesas could not tell in a hundred Kalpas.

नयन नीरु हटि मंगल जानी। परिछनि करहिं मुदित मन रानी॥
बेद बिहित अरु कुल आचारू। कीन्ह भली बिधि सब ब्यवहारू॥
Restraining her tears out of regard for the auspicious occasion, Queen Sunayana performed the ceremony of waving lights with a gladdened heart, and duly completed all the rites prescribed by the Vedas as well as by family customs.

पंच सबद धुनि मंगल गाना। पट पाँवड़े परहिं बिधि नाना॥
The five kinds of music were being played, accompanied by five varieties of other sounds and festal songs; carpets of different sorts were spread on the way.

****The five kinds of music referred to above are those produced from:

(1) Vina or the lute,
(2) the clapping of hands,
(3) the clashing of a pair of cymbals,
(4) the beating of a kettledrum and
(5) the blowing of a trumpet of any other wind instrument.

++++ The five varieties of other sounds are:

(1 ) Vedadhvani (the murmuring of Vedic texts),
(2) Vandidhvani (the praises sung by family bards),
(3) Jayadhvani (shouts of victory),
(4) Sankhadhvani (the blast of conches), and
(5) Dundubhidhvani (beat of drums).

करि आरती अरघु तिन्ह दीन्हा। राम गमनु मंडप तब कीन्हा॥
After waving lights the queen offered water to Sri Rama for washing His hands with and the latter then proceeded to the pavilion.

दसरथु सहित समाज बिराजे। बिभव बिलोकि लोकपति लाजे॥
Dasaratha shone in all his glory with his followers; his magnificence put to shame the guardians of the different worlds.

समयँ समयँ सुर बरषहिं फूला। सांति पढ़हिं महिसुर अनुकूला॥
From time to time the gods rained down flowers; and the Brahmanas recited propitiatory texts appropriate to the occasion.

नभ अरु नगर कोलाहल हो‌ई। आपनि पर कछु सुन‌इ न को‌ई॥
There was such a great uproar in the heavens as well as in the city that no one could hear one's own words, much less of others.

एहि बिधि रामु मंडपहिं आ‌ए। अरघु दे‌इ आसन बैठा‌ए॥
In this way Sri Rama entered the pavilion; after offering Him water to wash His hands with, He was conducted to His seat.

छं0-बैठारि आसन आरती करि निरखि बरु सुखु पावहीं॥
मनि बसन भूषन भूरि वारहिं नारि मंगल गावहीं॥
When Rama was installed on the seat reserved for Him, lights were waved round Him and everyone rejoiced to behold the bridegroom, scattering about Him gems and raiments and ornaments in profusion; while women sang festal songs.

ब्रह्मादि सुरबर बिप्र बेष बना‌इ कौतुक देखहीं।
अवलोकि रघुकुल कमल रबि छबि सुफल जीवन लेखहीं॥
Brahma and the other great gods witnessed the spectacle disguised as Brahmanas; and as they gazed on the beauty of Sri Rama, who delighted Raghu's race even as the sun brings joy to the lotuses, they regarded this privilege as the fulfilment of their life.

दो0-ना‌ऊ बारी भाट नट राम निछावरि पा‌इ।
मुदित असीसहिं ना‌इ सिर हरषु न हृदयँ समा‌इ॥319॥
Having gathered the offerings scattered about Sri Rama, the barbers, torchbearers, family bards and dancers bowed their head and gladly invoked blessings on Him with a heart overflowing with joy.

मिले जनकु दसरथु अति प्रीतीं। करि बैदिक लौकिक सब रीतीं॥
Having observed every custom that derived its authority from the Vedas or from popular tradition the two kings Janaka and Dasaratha, embraced each other with great love.

मिलत महा दो‌उ राज बिराजे। उपमा खोजि खोजि कबि लाजे॥
The two monarchs while embracing each other presented a glorious spectacle; poets made repeated efforts to find a suitable analogy but felt abashed at their failure.

लही न कतहुँ हारि हियँ मानी। इन्ह सम ए‌इ उपमा उर आनी॥
Finding no comparison anywhere, they felt baffled and concluded that the pair could be likened to themselves alone.

सामध देखि देव अनुरागे। सुमन बरषि जसु गावन लागे॥
The gods were enraptured to see the tie of love between the two kings embracing each other; raining down flowers they began to sing the glories of both.

जगु बिरंचि उपजावा जब तें। देखे सुने ब्याह बहु तब तें॥
सकल भाँति सम साजु समाजू। सम समधी देखे हम आजू॥
"Ever since Brahma created the world, we have witnessed and heard of many a marriage; but it is only today that we have seen the pomp and grandeur on both sides so well-balanced in every respect and the fathers of the bride and the bridegroom so well- matched."

देव गिरा सुनि सुंदर साँची। प्रीति अलौकिक दुहु दिसि माची॥
Hearing the above voice from heaven, which was so charming yet so true, there was a flood of transcendent love on both sides.

देत पाँवड़े अरघु सुहा‌ए। सादर जनकु मंडपहिं ल्या‌ए॥
Unrolling beautiful carpets on the way and offering water to wash his hands with, Janaka himself conducted Dasaratha to the pavilion with all honour.

छं0-मंडपु बिलोकि बिचीत्र रचनाँ रुचिरताँ मुनि मन हरे॥
निज पानि जनक सुजान सब कहुँ आनि सिंघासन धरे॥
The marvellous art of the pavilion and its charm captivated the heart even of sages; yet wise Janaka fetched and placed with his own hands thrones for all the honoured guests.

कुल इष्ट सरिस बसिष्ट पूजे बिनय करि आसिष लही।
कौसिकहि पूजत परम प्रीति कि रीति तौ न परै कही॥
He worshipped the sage Vasistha as if he were his own family deity and supplicating before him, received his blessings; while the supreme devotion with which he paid his homage to Kausika was something too great for words.

दो0-बामदेव आदिक रिषय पूजे मुदित महीस।
दि‌ए दिब्य आसन सबहि सब सन लही असीस॥320॥
King Janaka gladly adored Vamadeva (another family preceptor of King Dasaratha) and the other Rsis as well; he gave them all gorgeous seats and received blessings from all of them in return.

बहुरि कीन्ह कोसलपति पूजा। जानि ईस सम भा‌उ न दूजा॥
कीन्ह जोरि कर बिनय बड़ा‌ई। कहि निज भाग्य बिभव बहुता‌ई॥
Thereafter he adored the King of Ayodhya, taking him to be the peer of Siva and none other; and mentioning how his fortune and rank had been enhanced through relation with King Dasaratha, he made humble supplication to the latter and extolled him with joined palms.

पूजे भूपति सकल बराती। समधि सम सादर सब भाँती॥
King Janaka worshipped all the members of the bridegroom's party with the same honour in every respect as he had paid to the bridegroom's father, and assigned appropriate seats to them all.

आसन उचित दि‌ए सब काहू। कहौं काह मूख एक उछाहू॥
सकल बरात जनक सनमानी। दान मान बिनती बर बानी॥
How am I to describe with my one tongue the warmth of his feeling? Janaka honoured the whole bridegroom's party with gifts, polite behaviour, supplication and sweet words.

बिधि हरि हरु दिसिपति दिनरा‌ऊ। जे जानहिं रघुबीर प्रभा‌ऊ॥
कपट बिप्र बर बेष बना‌एँ। कौतुक देखहिं अति सचु पा‌एँ॥
Brahma, Hari, Hara, the guardians of the eight quarters of the world and the sun-god, all of whom had knowledge, of Sri Rama's glory, disguised themselves as noble Brahmanas and witnessed the spectacle with great delight.

**** The guardians of the eight quarters of the world are:
(1) Indra (the lord of celestials), of the east;
(2) Agni (fire-god), of the south-east;
(3) Yama (the god dispensing the fruit of one's good or evil actions) of the south;
(4) Nirrti (the god of death), of the south-west;
(5) Varuna (the god of water), of the west;
(6) Vayu (the wind- god), of the north-west;
(7) Kuvera (the god of riches), of the north;
and (8) Isana (Siva), of the north-east.

पूजे जनक देव सम जानें। दि‌ए सु‌आसन बिनु पहिचानें॥
Janaka worshipped them as on a par with gods and, though he recognized them not, assigned them exalted seats.

छं0-पहिचान को केहि जान सबहिं अपान सुधि भोरी भ‌ई।
Who should recognize and whom should one know, when everyone had forgotten one's own self?

आनंद कंदु बिलोकि दूलहु उभय दिसि आनँद म‌ई॥
As they gazed on the bridegroom, who was Bliss personified, joy was diffused on both sides (in the bridegroom's party as well as in the court of Janaka).

सुर लखे राम सुजान पूजे मानसिक आसन द‌ए।
The all-wise Rama recognized the gods, worshipped them mentally and assigned them seats of His own fancy.

अवलोकि सीलु सुभा‌उ प्रभु को बिबुध मन प्रमुदित भ‌ए॥
And the immortals were delighted at heart to perceive the congenial manners and gentle disposition of the Lord.

दो0-रामचंद्र मुख चंद्र छबि लोचन चारु चकोर।
करत पान सादर सकल प्रेमु प्रमोदु न थोर॥321॥
The graceful eyes of all fondly drank in the beauty of Sri Ramachandra's countenance with the utmost love and rapture even as the Cakora bird feeds on the moon's rays. (321)

------------------------------------------------------------
Reference:
Sri Ramacaritamanasa
With Hindi Text and English Translation
(A Romanized Edition)
Gita Press, Gorakhpur, India.

https://archive.org/stream/RamcharitmanasGitapressEnglish/

Ramcharitmanas%20Gitapress%20English_djvu.txt