The world of Valmiki-12

The World of Valmiki-12

Sita taking vows before Pipul tree and while crossing Yamuna
कालिन्दीमध्यमायाता सीतात्वेनामवन्दत ।
स्वस्ति देवि तरामि त्वां पारयेन्मे पतिर्व्रतम् ॥
यक्ष्ये त्वां गोसहस्रेण सुराघटशतेन च ।
स्वस्ति प्रत्यागते रामे पुरीमिक्ष्वाकुपालिताम् ॥२/५५/१८-१९॥
Reaching the centre of river Yamuna, Sita bowed to the river and said, " O goddess, I am crossing you. If my husband successfully completes the vow I shall offer you one thousand cows and one hundred pots of liquor after Rama gets back to the city protected by the Ikshvaku's"


न्यग्रोधं तमुपागम्य वैदेही वाक्यमब्रवीत् ।
नमस्तेऽस्तु महावृक्ष पारयेन्मे पतिर्व्रतम् ॥
कौसल्यां चैव पश्येयम् सुमित्रां च यशस्विनीम् ।
इति सीताञ्जलिं कृत्वा पर्यगच्छद्वनस्पतिम् ॥२/५५/२४-२५॥
Having neared the Pipul tree, Sita said as follows, " O Great tree, I bow to you. May my husband fullfill his vows. May I again see Kausalya and Sumitra." So saying she went round the tree.


Vastu shamana ritual
 

ऐणेयं मांसमाहृत्य शालां यक्ष्यामहे वयम् ।
कर्तव्यं वास्तुशमनं सौमित्रे चिरजीविभिः ॥
मृगं हत्वानय क्षिप्रं लक्ष्मणेह शुभेक्षण ।
कर्तव्यः शास्त्रदृष्टो हि विधिधर्ममनुस्मर ॥
भ्रातुर्वचनमाज्ञाय लक्ष्मणः परवीरहा ।
चकार स यथोक्तं च तं रामः पुनरब्रवीत् ॥
ऐणेयं श्रपयस्वैतच्छालां यक्ष्यावहे वयम् ।
त्वर सौम्य मुहूर्तोऽयं ध्रुवश्च दिवसोऽप्ययम् ॥
स लक्ष्मणः कृष्णमृगं हत्वा मेध्यं प्रतापवान् ।
अथ चिक्षेप सौमित्रिः समिद्धे जातवेदसि ॥
तं तु पक्वं समाज्ञाय निष्टप्तं छिन्नशोणितम् ।
लक्ष्मणः पुरुषव्याघ्रमथ राघवमब्रवीत् ॥
अयं कृष्णः समाप्ताङ्गः शृतः कृष्णमृगो यथा ।
देवतां देवसङ्काश यजस्व कुशलोह्यसि ॥
रामः स्नात्वा तु नियतो गुणवाञ्जप्यकोविदः ।
सङ्ग्रहेणाकरोत् सर्वान् मन्त्रान् सत्रावसानिकान् ।
इष्ट्वा देवगणान् सर्वान् विवेशावसथं शुचिः ।
बभूव च मनोह्लादो रामस्यामित तेजसः ।
वैश्वदेवबलिं कृत्वा रौद्रं वैष्णवमेव च ।
वास्तुसंशयनीयानि मङ्गलानि प्रवर्तयन्॥
जपं च न्यायतः कृत्वा स्नात्वा नद्यां यथाविधि ।
पापसंशमनं रामश्चकार बलिमुत्तमम् ॥
वेदिस्थलविधानानि चैत्यान्यायतनानि च ।
आश्रमस्यानुरूपाणि स्थापयामास राघवः ॥
वन्यैर्माल्यैः फलैर्मूलैः पक्वैर्मांसैर्यथाविधि ।
अद्भिर्जपैश्च वेदोक्तैर्दर्भैश्च ससमित्कुशैः ॥
तौ तर्पयित्वा भूतानि राघवौ सहसीतया ।
तदा विविशतुः शालां सुशुभां शुभलक्षणौ ॥२/५६/२२-३५॥
(Rama said)" Those who want to stay in place for long have to propitiate the local dieties. Let us offer the meat of deer. Go quickly, kill a deer. Remember, we need to follow scrptures in this matter". As per brother's wishes, Lakshmana, the detroyer of valiant foes did accordingly. Rama spoke to him again,"This day and time are auspicious and signify permanency. Hurry up and cook the meat. Let us offer it to this abode. Lakshmana having killed the deer accordingly put it into the well-lit fire. After checking that it is properly cooked and without blood, Lakshmana told Rama, " This black buck is well cooked and you are proficient in the matter, so please propitiate the fire." Rama, who was well-versed in chanting, taking bath in a disciplined manner briefly chanted the mantras for the occasion. After propitiating all the groups of dieties, he entered the abode. He felt happy in his mind. He offered to all the Gods (Vaishvadeva-bali), to Vishnu and to Rudra performing all the auspicious ceremonies necessary for propitiating the spirits of the abode.(vaastu-samsamana). Chanting as per custom, taking bath in the river, he made offerings for the purpose of annullment of wrong doings. He established places for fire, for meditation and abodes for deities. As per prescribed procedure having propitiated the spirits by offering forest flowers, fruits, roots, holy grass, sticks of palash and cooked meat, Rama and Lakshmana along with Sita entered the auspicious enclosure.

Rama performs tarpana
सान्त्वयित्वा तु तां रामो रुदन्तीं जनकात्मजाम् ।
उवाच लक्ष्मणं तत्र दुःखितो दुःखितं वचः ॥
आनयेङ्गुदिपिण्याकं चीरमाहर चोत्तरम् ।
जलक्रियार्थं तातस्य गमिष्यामि महात्मनः ॥
सीता पुरस्ताद्व्रजतु त्वमेनामभितो व्रज ।
अहं पश्चाद्गमिष्यामि गतिर्ह्येषा सुदारुणा ॥२/१०२/१९-२१॥
Consoling Sita who was crying, grief-stricken Rama spoke to the grieving Lakshmana,"Bring cakes of Ingudi ( a forest seed) and covering bark garment. I will go to offer waters to the great father. Let Sita walk in front. You follow her. I will follow you. This situation is indeed very harsh.

शीघ्रस्रोतसमासाद्य तीर्थं शिवमकर्दमाम् ।
सिषिचुस्तूदकं राज्ञे तत्रैतत्ते भवत्विति ॥
प्रगृह्य च महीपालो जलपूरितमञ्जलिम् ।
दिशं याम्यामभिमुखो रुदन् वचनमब्रवीत् ॥
एतत्ते राजशार्दूल विमलं तोयमक्षयम् ।
पितृलोकगतस्याद्य मद्दत्तमुपतिष्ठतु ॥
ततो मन्दाकिनीतीरात् प्रत्युत्तीर्य स राघवः ।
पितुश्चकार तेजस्वी निवापं भ्रातृभिः सह ॥
ऐङ्गुदं बदरीमिश्रं पिण्याकं दर्भसंस्तरे ।
न्यस्य रामाः सुदुःखार्तो रुदन् वचनमब्रवीत् ॥
इदं भुङ्क्ष्व महाराज प्रीतॊ यदशना वयम् ।
यदन्नः पुरुषो भवति तदन्नास्तस्य देवताः ॥२/१०२/२५-३०॥
Getting down to the holy and clear fast moving river, they sprinkled water for the king saying, "May this be yours there.". Having filled his cupped palms with water, facing South, he said these words crying, " O  panther among kings, may this palm-full of clean and non-decaying water offered by me be with you in your abode of world of the manes". Then climbing up from the banks of Godavari he along with his brothers did tarpana to his father. Placing the cake of Ingudi mixed with Badari  on spread of darbha grass, deeply grieved Rama said these words crying," O king, be pleased to eat this which we eat. What a person eats is what is offered to his deities".

दक्षिणाग्रेषु दर्भेषु सा ददर्श महीतले ।
पितुरिङ्गुदिपिण्याकं न्यस्तमायत लोचना ॥२/१०३/८॥
The wide-eyed (lady) saw on the ground the cake of Ingudi placed on the darbha grass pointing to South as offering to the departed father.

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The World of Valmiki-11

The World of Valmiki-11

funeral ceremony
उद्धृतं तैलसंरोधात् स तु भूमौ निवेशितम् ।
आपीतवर्णवदनं प्रसुप्तमिव भूमिपम् ॥
संवेश्य शयने चाग्र्ये नानारत्नपरिष्कृते।
ततो दशरथं पुत्रो विललाप सुदुःखितः ॥२/७६/४-५॥
The body of Dasaratha which had been placed on the ground after being taken out from the oil container was slightly yellow in colour  and it looked as if the king was just asleep. After placing the body on a prominent bed bedecked with gems the son who was greatly grieved lamented .

ये त्वग्नयो नरेन्द्रस्य चाग्न्यगाराद्बहिष्कृताः ।
ऋत्विग्भिर्याजकैश्चैव आह्रियन्त यथाविधि ॥
शिबिकायामथारोप्य राजानं गतचेतसम् ।
बाष्पकण्ठा विमनसस्तमूहुः परिचारकाः ॥
हिरण्यं च सुवर्णं च वासांसि विविधानि च ।
प्रकिरन्तो जना मार्गं नृपतेरग्रतो ययुः ॥
चान्दनागुरुनिर्यासान् सरलं पद्मकं तथा ।
देवदारूणि चाहृत्य क्षेपयन्ति तथापरे ॥
गन्धानुच्चावचान्श्चान्यान् तत्र गत्वाथ भूमिपम् ।
ततः संवेशयामासुश्चितामध्ये तमृत्विजः ॥
तथा हुताशनं दत्त्वा जेपुस्तस्य तमृत्विजः ।
जगुश्च ते यथाशास्त्रं तत्र सामानि सामगाः ॥
शिबिकाभिश्च यानैश्च यथार्हं तस्य योषितः ।
नगरान्निर्ययुस्तत्र वृद्धैः परिवृतास्तदा ॥
प्रसव्यं चापि तं चक्रुरृत्विजोऽग्निचितं नृपम् ।
स्त्रियश्च शोकसन्तप्ताअः कौसल्याप्रमुखास्तदा ॥२/७६/१३-२०॥
The fires of the king that had been taken out from the fire-chamber were duly offered oblations by the ritviks and those performing sacrifices. After placing the dead king on a palanquin attendants carried the palanquin in anguish with their throats choked with grief. People walked in front scattering Gold and Silver and varied garments. Others tossed sandal, aguru sap of tree, pieces of sarala, padmaka and devadaru wood and all kinds of perfumes (on the body). Afterwards rutviks placed the body on the bier, lit the fire and chanted. Those well versed in Samaveda sang sama psalms as prescribed. Accompanied by the elderly, king's wives came out of the city in palanquins and other transport as per their rank. Grief stricken women headed by Kausalya went round the lit bier anti-clockwise along with ritviks.

ततो दशाहेऽतिगते कृतशौचो नृपात्मजः ।
द्वादशेऽहनि संप्राप्ते श्राद्धकर्माण्यकारयत् ॥
ब्राह्मणेभ्यो ददौ रत्नं धनमन्नं च पुष्कलम् ।
वासांसि च महार्हाणि रत्नानि विविधानि च ॥
बास्तिकं बहुशुक्लं च गाश्चापि शतशस्तदा ।
दासीदासं च यानं च वेश्मानि सुमहान्ति च ॥
ब्राह्मणेभ्यो ददौ पुत्रो राज्ञस्तस्यौर्ध्वदैहिकम् ॥
ततः प्रभातसमये दिवसेऽथ त्रयोदशे ।
विललाप महाबाहुर्भरतः शोकमूर्च्छितः ।
शब्दापिहितकण्ठस्तु शोधनार्थमुपागतः ॥२/७७/१-४॥
Ten days having elapsed, the son of the king had his purificatory rites and on the twelfth day he arranged for the sraddh ceremony. He gave away to Brahmins gems, money and abundant food. As a part of obsequies, the son gave away to Brahmins valuable garments, varied gems and a herd of pure white goats and hundreds of cows. On the morning of the thirteenth day as he went to collect the ashes, grief stricken Bharata endowed with heavy shoulders lamented with his throat choked with grief.

Obsequies to Jatayu
या गतिर्यज्ञशीलानामाहिताज्ञेश्च या गतिः ।
अपरावर्तिनां या च या च भूमिप्रदायिनाम् ॥
मया त्वं समनुज्ञातो गच्छ लोकाननुत्तमान् ।
गृध्रराज महासत्त्व संस्कृतश्च मया व्रज ॥
एवमुक्त्वा चितां दीप्तामारोप्य पतगेश्वरम् ।
ददाह रामो धर्मात्मा स्वबन्धुमिव दुःखितः ॥
रामोऽथ सहसौमित्रिर्वनं गत्वा स वीर्यवान् ।
स्थूलान् हत्वा महारोहीननुतस्तार तं द्विजम् ॥
रोहिमाम्सानि चोत्कृत्य पेशीकृत्य महायशाः ।
शकुनाय ददौ रामो रम्ये हरित शाद्वले ॥
यत्तत्प्रेतस्य मर्त्यस्य कथयन्ति द्विजातयः ।
तत्स्वर्गगमनं तस्य पित्र्यं रामो जजाप ह ॥
ततो गोदावरीं गत्वा नदीं नरवरात्मजौ ।
उदकं चक्रतुस्तस्मै गृध्रराजाय तावुभौ ॥
शास्त्रदृष्टेन विधिना जले गृध्राय राघवौ ।
स्नात्वा तौ गृध्रराजाय उदकं चक्रतुस्तदा ॥३/६८/२९-३६॥
"With my consent you go to those worlds meant for those who regularly perform yajnas, who keep at their homes the holy fires burning, those who do not have to return to this world and to those who donate lands. O great-souled king of eagles, after I perform your obsequies duly go to such worlds. " So saying, Rama to whom dharma was the soul-spirit, burnt the king of birds after raising the bird on the burning pyre and grieved as if he had lost a kin. Along with Lakshmana, Rama of great fame went into the forest, killed large deer, made lumps of their meat, spread them on the beautiful green grass and offered them to the dead bird. He chanted those mantras which Brahmins chant for dead persons to enable them to reach heaven. Then the two sons of the king went to river Godavari, took bath and offered water to the dead king of birds as prescribed by scriptures.

Funeral of Vali
राज्ञां ऋद्धिविशेषा हि दृश्यन्ते भुवि यादृशाः ।
तादृशं वालिनः क्षिप्रं प्राकुर्वन्नौर्ध्वदैहिकम् ॥
अङ्गदं परिरभ्याशु तारप्रभृतयस्तदा ।
क्रोशन्तः प्रययुः सर्वे वानरा हतबान्धवाः ॥४/२५/३२-३३॥
Obsequies of Vali were performed in the manner similar to that for human kings. Tara and other monkeys who had lost their relative proceeded embracing Angada and lamenting loudly.
--
पुलिने गिरिनद्यास्तु विविक्ते जलसंवृते ।
चितां चक्रुः सुबहवो वानराः शोककर्शिताः ॥४/२५/३७॥
A large number of grief-stricken monkeys made a bier on secluded water-covered sands of a mountain stream.

सुग्रीवेण ततः सार्धमङ्गदः पितरं रुदन् ।
चितामारोपयामास शोकेनाभिहितेन्द्रियः ॥
ततोऽग्निं विधिवद्दत्वा सोऽपसव्यं चकार ह ।
पितरं दीर्घमध्वानं प्रस्थितं व्याकुलेन्द्रियः ॥
संस्कृत्य वालिनं ते तु विधिपूर्वं प्लवङ्गमाः ।
आजग्मुरुदकं कर्तुं नदीं शुभजलां शिवाम् ॥
ततस्ते सहितास्तत्र ह्यङ्गदं स्थाप्यचाग्रतः ।
सुग्रीवतारासहिताः सिषिचुर्वालिने जलम् ॥४/२५/४७-५० ॥
Angada along with Sugriva, crying and with his senses blunted by the grief, raised his father on to the bier. Having lit the bier duly he went round his father anti-clockwise who had started on a long journey  The monkeys, having performed the obsequies duly, went to the auspicious river to offer waters to the departed. Keeping Angada in front, they along with Sugriva and Tara, sprinkled water for Vali. 

Obsequies of Ravana
चितां चन्दनकाष्ठानां पद्मकोशीरसंवृताम् ।
ब्राह्मया संवेशयाञ्चक्रू राङ्कवास्तरणावृताम् ॥
वर्तते वेदविहितो राज्ञो वै पश्चिमः क्रतुः ।
प्रचक्रू राक्षसेन्द्रस्य पितृमेधमनुक्रमम् ॥
वेदिं च दक्षिणप्राच्यां यथास्थानं च पावकम् ।
पृषदाज्येन संपूर्णं स्रुवं स्कन्धे प्रचिक्षिपुः ॥
पादयोः शकटं प्रादुरन्तरूर्वोरुलूखलम् ।
दारुपात्राणि सर्वाणि अरणिं चोत्तरारणिम् ।
दत्त्वा तु मुसलं चान्यद्यथास्थानं विचक्षणाः ॥
शास्त्रदृष्टेन विधिना महर्षिविहितेन च ।
तत्र मेध्यं पशुं हत्वा राक्षसेन्द्रस्य राक्षसाः ॥
परिस्तरणिकां राज्ञो घृताक्तां समवेशयन् ।
गन्धैर्माल्यैरलङ्कृत्य रावणं दीनमानसाः ॥
विभीषणसहायास्ते वस्त्रैश्च विविधैरपि ।
लाजैश्चावकिरन्ति स्म बाष्पपूर्णमुखास्तदा ॥
ददौ च पावकं तस्य विधियुक्तं विभीषणः ।
स्नात्वा चैवार्द्रवस्त्रेण तिलान् दूर्वाभिमिश्रितान् ॥
उदकेन च सम्मिश्रान् प्रदाय विधिपूर्वकम् ।
प्रदाय चोदकं तस्मै मूर्ध्ना चैनं नमस्य च ॥
ताः स्त्रियोऽनुनयामास सान्त्वमुक्त्वा पुनः पुनः ॥६/११४/१०४-११४॥
They prepared a bier of sandal wood covered with woods of padmaka and ushira and surrounded by a woollen carpet as per procedure and performed the obsequies of Ravana in accordance with Vedic injunctions. They prepared a raised altar on the South-Eastern corner of the bier, placed the fire in its due place and poured a ladle of ghee mixed with curds on the shoulder of the body and placed a cart on his feet and a mortar on his thighs. They placed the wooden vessels, arani (lower piece of wood) and uttara-arani (upper piece of wood) and the pestle at their places as prescribed by the scriptures and approved by great seers. Having sacrificed a sanctified animal (goat) they placed a sheet smeared with ghee on the body. After decorating the body with flowers and perfumes they with tears in their faces threw puffed rice and clothes on the body. Vibhishana lit the pyre as per prescribed procedure. Taking bath and in wet clothes he offered sesame seeds mixed with grass in water to the departed and bowed his head low as a mark of respect. He consoled the women repeatedly.
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The world of Valmiki-10

The world of Valmiki-10

Decorating the city
ततः पौरजनः सर्वः श्रुत्वा रामाभिषेचनम् ।
प्रभातां रजनीं दृष्ट्वा चक्रे शोभयितुं पुरीम् ॥
सिताभ्रशिखराभेषु देवतायतनेषु च ।
चतुष्पथेषु रथ्यासु चैत्येष्वट्टालकेषु च ॥
नानापण्यसमृद्धेषु वणिजामापणेषु च ।
कुटुम्बिनां समृद्धेषु श्रीमत्सु भवनेषु च ॥
सभासु चैव सर्वासु वृक्षेष्वालक्षितेषु च ।
ध्वजाः समुच्छ्रिताश्चित्राः पताकाश्चाभवन्स्तदा ॥
नटनर्तकसङ्घानां गायकानां च गायताम् ।
मनःकर्णसुखा वाचः शुश्रुवुश्च ततस्ततः ॥२/६/१०-१४॥
Then the citizens after hearing about the coronation of Rama and after the day break started decorating the city. Flags and colourful festoons were hoisted on tops of temples which looked like mountain peaks covered with white clouds, at city squares, on roads, on monuments and on attics, at market places full of various goods, on the houses of the rich families, on city halls and on all prominent trees. Here and there people heard the sonorous and soulful music of groups of actors and dancers singing. 

Kousalya worships Vishnu
कौसल्यापि तदा देवी रात्रिं स्थित्वा समाहिता ।
प्रभाते त्वकरोत् पूजां विष्णोः पुत्रहितैषिणी ॥
सा क्षौमवसना हृष्टा नित्यं व्रतपरायणा ।
अग्निं जुहोति स्म तदा मन्त्रवत् कृतमङ्गला ॥२/२०/१४-१५॥
Kausalya having spent the night in religious activities and for the sake of her son's welfare worshipped Lord Vishnu in the morning. All the time devoted to religious observances, she wore silken clothes and got oblations poured to the sacred fire along with due chants.

Kousalya bids farewell to Rama
ज्वलनं समुपादाय ब्राह्मणेन महात्मना ।
हावयामास विधिना राममङ्गलकारणात् ॥
घृतं श्वेतानि माल्यानि समिधः श्चैव सर्षपान् ।
उपसंपादयामास कौसल्या परमाङ्गना ॥
उपाध्यायः स विधिना हुत्वा शान्तिमनामयम् ।
हुतहव्यावशेषेण बाह्यं बलिमकल्पयत् ॥
मधुदध्यक्षतघृतैः स्वस्ति वाच्यं द्विजान्स्ततः ।
वाचयामास रामस्य वने स्वस्त्ययनक्रियाः ॥
ततस्तस्मै द्विजेन्द्राय राममाता यशस्विनी ।
दक्षिणां प्रददौ काम्यां राघवं चेदमब्रवीत् ॥२/२५/२७-३०॥
She got oblations duly poured to the sacred fire by a Brahmin for the sake of auspiciousness for Rama. The great lady brought for that purpose ghee, white flowers, fire-wood pieces and mustard seeds. The Brahmin priest after offering oblations to the fire duly for the sake of peace and good health  offered the remaining portion of the oblation materials to other elements. She made Brahmins chant farewell blessings for Rama offering honey, unbroken rice and ghee. Then the illustrious mother of Rama gave dakshina as desired by him to the chief of Brahmins and said to Rama as follows:

अतीव चाश्रुप्रतिपूर्णलोचना
समाप्य च स्वस्त्ययनं यथाविधि ।
प्रदक्षिणं चैव चकार राघवं
पुनः पुनश्चापि निरीक्ष्य सस्वजे ॥२/२५/४६॥ 
Excessively shedding tears after completing the farewell-blessings duly, she went round Rama clockwise and embraced him repeatedly looking at him.
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The World of Valmiki -(09)

The World of Valmiki 09

marriage

स गत्वा निलयं राजा श्राद्धं कृत्वा विधानतः ।
प्रभाते काल्यमुत्थाय चक्रे गोदानमुत्तमम् ॥
गवां शतसहस्राणि ब्राह्मणेभ्यो नराधिपः ।
एकैकशो ददौ राजा पुत्रानुद्दिश्य धर्मतः ॥
सुवर्णशृङ्गाः सम्पन्नाः सवत्साः कांस्यदोहनाः ।
गवां शतसहस्राणि चत्वारि पुरुषर्षभः ॥
वित्तमन्यच्च सुबहु द्विजेभ्यो रघुनन्दनः ।
ददौ गोदानमुद्दिश्य पुत्राणां पुत्रवत्सलः ॥१/७२/२१-२४॥
The king went home and performed shraadh duly. After getting up in the morning he performed godaan ( a ceremony for giving away a cow as gift to a Brahmin). He gave away one thousand cows in the name of each of his sons to Brahmins. These cows with calves had gold plated horns and milking vessels made of brass. He also gave away large sums of money in addition.

प्रपामध्ये तु विधिवद्वेदिं कृत्वा महातपाः ।
अलञ्चकार तां वेदिं गन्धपुष्पैः समन्ततः ॥
सुवर्णपालिकाभिश्च चित्रकुम्भैश्च साङ्कुरैः ।
अङ्कुराढ्यैः शरावैश्च धूपपात्रैः सधूपकैः ॥
शङ्खपात्रैः स्रुवैः स्रुग्भिः पात्रैरर्घ्याभिपूरितैः ।
लाजपूर्णैश्च पात्रीभिरक्षतैरभिसम्स्कृतैः ॥
दर्भैः समैः समास्तीर्य विधिवन्मन्त्रपूर्वकम् ।
अग्निमाधाय वेद्यां तु विधिमन्त्रपुरस्कृतम् ।
जुहावाग्नौ महातेजा वसिष्ठो भगवान् ऋषिः ॥
ततः सीतां समानीय सर्वाभरणभूषिताम् ।
समक्षमग्नेः संस्थाप्य राघवाभिमुखे तदा ।
अब्रवीज्जनको राजा कौसल्यानन्दवर्धनम् ॥
इयं सीता ममसुता सहधर्मचरी तव ।
प्रतीच्छ चैनां भद्रं ते पाणिं गृह्णीष्व पाणिना ॥
पतिव्रता महाभागा छायेवानुगता सदा ।
इत्युक्त्वा प्राक्षिपद्राजा मन्त्रपूतं जलं तदा ॥१/७३/१९-२५॥
At the centre of the pandal, he (Vasishtha) got the altar constructed and duly decorated with incense and flowers. There were golden vessels, earthen pots of varied hues with sprouted plants, incense holders with incense, conch shell vessels, ladles, spoons, and vessels filled with water meant as arghya, vessels filled with puffed rice, and akshata (cleaned and sanctified unbroken rice). On the altar
after spreading the darbha grass chanting mantras duly, the holy saint brought the fire to the altar and offered oblations to the fire. Then King Janaka brought Sita, who was fully be-jewelled, in presence of the fire and in front of Rama and said, " This Sita, my daughter, will be a partner in your righteous conduct. Accept her and take her hand in your hand. May auspiciousness be with you. She will be devoted to you, her husband and will follow you like your shadow." So saying, he sprinkled water made holy by Mantras on them.

अथ राजा विदेहानां ददौ कन्याधनं बहु ।
गवां शतसहस्राणि बहूनि मिथिलेश्वरः ॥
कम्बलानां च मुख्यानां क्षौमान् कोट्यम्बराणि च ।
हस्त्यश्वरथपादातं दिव्यरूपं स्वलङ्कृतम् ।
ददौ कन्यापिता तासां दासीदासमनुत्तमम् ॥
हिरण्यस्य सुवर्णस्य मुक्तानां विद्रुमस्य च ।
ददौ परमसम्हृष्टः कन्याधनमनुत्तमम् ॥१/७४/४-७॥
Then King of the Videhas gifted large sums of dowry. He gifted tens of thousands of cows, crores of precious woollen rugs and silk clothes. He gifted well decorated and beautiful assembly of elephants, horses, chariots and women-slaves and men-slaves to his daughters. Superbly happy, he gifted them as dowry Gold, Silver, Pearls and precious stones.

pre-coronation worship
गते पुरोहिते रामः स्नातो नियतमानसः ।
सह पत्न्या विशालाक्ष्या नारायणमुपागमत् ॥
प्रगृह्य शिरसा पात्रीं हविषो विधिवत्तदा ।
महते दैवतायाज्यं जुहाव ज्वलितेऽनले ॥
शेषं च हविषस्तस्य प्राश्याशास्यात्मनः प्रियम् ।
ध्यायन्नारायणं देवं स्वास्तीर्णे कुशसंस्तरे ॥
वाग्यतः सह वैदेह्या भूत्वा नियतमानसः ।
श्रीमत्यायतने विष्णोः शिश्ये नरवरात्मजः ॥
एकयामावशिष्टायां रात्र्यां प्रतिविबुद्ध्य सः ।
अलङ्कारविधिं कृत्स्नं कारयामास वेश्मनः ॥
तत्र शृण्वन् सुखा वाचः सूतमागधवन्दिनाम् ।
पूर्वां सन्ध्यामुपासीनो जजाप यतमानसः ।
तुष्टाव प्रणतश्चैव शिरसा मधुसूदनं ॥
विमलक्षौमसंवीतो वाचयामास च द्विजान् ।
तेषां पुण्याहघोषोऽथ गम्भीरमधुरस्तदा ।
अयोध्यां पूरयामास तूर्यघोषानुनादितः ॥२/६/१-८॥
When the priest left, Rama bathed and with a disciplined mind meditated along with the wide-eyed Sita on Narayana. Then holding the vessel containing havis on his head, the son of the best of men offered ghee to the great divinity in the burning fire duly. Eating the remaining of havis and praying for his own welfare he meditated on the divinity Narayana and slept in the divine abode of Vishnu (Narayana) on the bed of darbha grass spread by him along with Sita with a disciplined mind and cotrolled speech. When there was still one yaama (3 hours) left of the night, he woke up and got his mansion decorated. Listening to the pleasant words of bards he observed Sandhya ritual with a controlled mind. Bowing his head he recited prayers to Vishnu, the slayer of Madhu. Clad in clean silken robes he made the Brahmins read sacred texts. Their deep and sweet recitations wishing a good day reverberated by the blowing of toorya (a musical instrument) filled the city of Ayodhya.

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