Enduring appeal of the celestial wedding : Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

Enduring appeal of the celestial wedding

Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

The Pioneer, Hyderabad (02-04-2020) 

A close look at the essence of Sri Sita Rama Kalyanam reveals that every detail of it was divinely ordained. Whatever be the variations of the immortal tale its matchless beauty lies in the enduring appeal of the spotless characters.

Sage Vishvamitra who brought Sri Rama and Lakshmana to Mithila after successfully performing his Yaga with the help of both the brothers, introduced them to king Janaka as sons of Dasharatha. Then he also asked Janaka to show the Shiva Bow to them. Before showing it to them Janaka narrated the background and context of the Bow and why it has been with him. He explained that the Bow was handed over to Devaraata, the sixth descendent of Nimi, the originator of their lineage, by Devatas for custodial care. Since then it has been with their family duly being worshipped said Janaka.

            Janaka continued and said, that, when once he was getting his field ploughed with four bullocks to perform a ritual, there he found a beautiful baby girl from the groove. Since the baby girl was gained while sanctifying the ritual field, she was named as Sita. Sita the highly pious, was not born in the normal course like others but surfaced from the exterior of the earth said Janaka. However, he nurtured her as his own born daughter. He also determined to give her in marriage to such a bridegroom where his valor is the only wealth.

            Then Janaka ordered his ministers to bring the Bow which was affluently decorated. Immediately five thousand strong men, fetched the Bow with its iron box towing it very difficultly. Then on the suggestion of Vishvamitra Rama went near the Bow Box and opened the cover and told the sage that he was desirous of getting the feel of that supreme Bow and would like to handle it and take aim of it. Vishvamitra permitted him to do so.

            Rama then stringed the Bow effortlessly while several kings were witnessing the scene. When Rama strung the bow, with its thread and readied to stretch it to the maximum extent possible, the Bow was broken into two halves instantaneously with big explosive sound. Then, King Janaka told Vishvamitra that, the indomitable valor of Rama has been adequately and evidently displayed and offered his daughter Sita to Rama. Later, on knowing about this, Sri Rama’s father Dasharatha reached Mithila. 

            On hearing the arrival of Dasharatha, Janaka came to him and heartily welcomed him. On the next day morning king Dasharatha showing his Royal Priest Vasishta to Janaka said that he will narrate his lineage to him. As custom demands, sage Vasishta started narrating Ikshvaku lineage beginning with Marichi who was born to Lord Brahma and to whom Kashyap was born. To him Manu and to Manu Ikshvaku were born. The kingdom of Ikshvaku was Ayodhya. Like this he continued till Dasharatha and his sons Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata and Shatrughna.  Vasishta narrated the Surya Kings Lineage. Then he told Janaka that to such a great family background it is apt if he gives his daughter in marriage to Rama and Lakshmana.   

         

            After sage Vasishta narrated the Ikshvaku lineage, king Janaka started narrating his lineage to Vasishta. He said that the originator of his dynasty was emperor Nimi who was renowned for his accomplishments and righteousness. His son was Mithi who built the great city Mithila. Janaka was Mithi’s son the first one to be designated as Janaka and since then the title continued. Janaka said that he is the eldest of the two sons of Hraswaroma and his younger brother is Kushadhvaja.  Janaka said with this lineage background he is bestowing his daughter Sita to Rama”. Later the preceding rituals started till the marriage.    

            On the day of marriage, King of Mithila Janaka led forth Sita who was fully decorated with variety of bridal jewelry and positioning her face-to-face Rama in the presence of Altar of Fire, addressed Rama like this:

            “Oh! Son of Kausalya! This is Sita, my daughter. She shares your duties for life. She acquits herself in whatever duty you undertake. Take her in marriage and take her from her father. Everything good and bliss will happen to you. Hold her palm with your palm. Rama! Sita is extraordinary and reserved for you. Sita is the symbol of moral truth and morality tolerant womanhood. She is prosperous and husband-devout and will be always with you as your own shadow”. So, saying Janaka poured holy water into the palms of Rama matching with chanting of hymns. Then there occurred incessant flower showers from the sky and sages exclaimed ‘nice and great’. There were drumbeats of heavenly drums.     

 

            On handing over his daughter Sita amidst poring of holy waters into the palms of Rama, gladdened Janaka turned towards Lakshmana and said: “Oh! Lakshmana! Accept Urmila as I decided to give her to you in marriage. Take her palm into yours”. Then Janaka addressed Bharata and Shatrughna requesting to take the palms of Mandavi and Shrutakirti, daughters of his brother. Thus, all the four daughters of Janaka and his brother were given in marriage to four sons of Dasharatha.

            Dasharatha’s sons Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata and Shatrughna on hearing the words of Janaka took palms of their wives, the bridegrooms, into their palms and performed circumambulations around the ritual fire, around Altar of Fire, around Janaka, around sages etc. Thus, the celestial wedding was performed consistent with the customs and traditions as directed by sage Vasishta. Then there occurred glorious flower showers from the sky and drumbeats of divine drums took place. Apsarasas danced and Gandharvas sang. Amidst all this the four brothers Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata and Shatrughna along with their wives once again circumambulated the ritual fire thrice culminating the end of wedding process.

            The next day Dasharatha along with his team and sons and daughters-in-law left for the city of Ayodhya. Janaka gave patrimonial and bridal gifts to his daughters besides other things like cows, chariots, pearls, ornaments etc. He then accompanied Dasharatha entourage team for a distance up to the outskirts of the city Mithila and took leave from them and returned back to Mithila. Then Dasharatha proceeded towards Ayodhya with his sons, daughters-in-law, sages, forces either side of him and reached there.

Sri Rama who filled into the heart of Sita and hidden in her heart alone, together enjoyed many seasons. Sita also became the beloved of Rama and as she was wedded to Rama with the total acceptance of his father Dasharatha, Rama’s love for Sita multiplied by virtue of Sita’s own qualities. Sri Rama as her husband made his mark in Sita’s heart twice as good, and they both used to clearly converse about their thoughts in their heart of hearts, just by their hearts. In her expression Sita was identical with goddesses and she was like incarnate Goddess Lakshmi. She was the reshaped Divine Wealth, and as she hailed from Mithila and as she was the daughter of Janaka, she with natural characters and features, rejoiced the heart of Rama. Similarly, Rama enthusiastically excelled like the God of Gods namely Lord Vishnu, when he was together with Sits who was none other than Goddess Lakshmi.