Who should recognize whom, when everyone in the gynaeceum proceeded in her ecstatic joy to celebrate the lustral rite over the bridegroom, who was no other than the Absolute incarnate. Melodious were the songs and soft the sound of kettledrums; the gods rained down flowers and everything looked most charming. All the women were delighted to see the bridegroom, fountain of joy; tears of love rushed to their lotus eyes and their pretty limbs trembled with rapture.Who should recognize whom, when everyone in the gynaeceum proceeded in her ecstatic joy to celebrate the lustral rite over the bridegroom, who was no other than the Absolute incarnate. Melodious were the songs and soft the sound of kettledrums; the gods rained down flowers and everything looked most charming. All the women were delighted to see the bridegroom, fountain of joy; tears of love rushed to their lotus eyes and their pretty limbs trembled with rapture.

The joy which Sita’s mother (Sunayana) felt in her heart on seeing Rama in the comely attire of a bridegroom was more than a thousand Sharadas and Sheshas could tell in a hundred aeons.The joy which Sita’s mother (Sunayana) felt in her heart on seeing Rama in the comely attire of a bridegroom was more than a thousand Sharadas and Sheshas could tell in a hundred aeons.The joy which Sita’s mother (Sunayana) felt in her heart on seeing Rama in the comely attire of a bridegroom was more than a thousand Sharadas and Sheshas could tell in a hundred aeons.

Restraining her tears out of regard for the auspiciousness of the occasion, the queen performed the lustral rite with a gladdened heart and duly completed all the ceremonies prescribed in the Vedas and in the custom of the family.Restraining her tears out of regard for the auspiciousness of the occasion, the queen performed the lustral rite with a gladdened heart and duly completed all the ceremonies prescribed in the Vedas and in the custom of the family.

The five kinds of music were being played, accompanied by five varieties of other sounds and festal songs; carpets of various sorts were spread on the way. After waving the lights about his head the queen offered the oblation, and then Rama proceeded to the pavilion.

(Here) Dasharath shone in all his glory with his retinue; his magnificence put to shame the very guardians of the worlds. From time to time the gods rained down flowers and the Brahmans recited propitiatory texts appropriate to the occasions.

There was such a great clamour in the heavens and in the city that no one could hear one’s own voice, much less another’s. In this way Rama entered the pavilion, and after offering him a libation was conducted to his seat.There was such a great clamour in the heavens and in the city that no one could hear one’s own voice, much less another’s. In this way Rama entered the pavilion, and after offering him a libation was conducted to his seat.

When Rama was seated on the throne reserved for him, the festal lamps were waved about his head, and the women rejoiced to see the bridegroom, scattering about him jewels and raiment and ornaments in profusion, and sang festal songs. Brahma and all the other great gods witnessed the spectacle disguised as Brahmans; and as they gazed upon the beauty of Rama, who delighted Raghu’s race even as the sun brings joy to the lotuses, they regarded this privilege as the fulfilment of their lives.