Bala Kanda, Sarga 73

यस्मिंस्तु दिवसे राजा चक्रे गोदानमुत्तमम् । तस्मिं स्तु दिवसे शूरो युधाजित्समुपेयिवान्।।1.73.1।।

yasmiṃstu divase rājā cakre godānamuttamam | tasmiṃ stu divase śūro yudhājitsamupeyivān

The day the king (Dasaratha) made a gift of the best (available) cows the heroic Yudhajit arrived.

पुत्र: केकयराजस्य साक्षाद्भरतमातुल:। दृष्ट्वा पृष्ट्वा च कुशलं राजानमिदमब्रवीत्।।1.73.2।।

putra: kekayarājasya sākṣādbharatamātula:| dṛṣṭvā pṛṣṭvā ca kuśalaṃ rājānamidamabravīt

Yudhajit, son of king Kekaya, Bharata's own maternal uncle met the king (Dasaratha) and enquiring about his wellbeing said:

केकयाधिपती राजा स्नेहात् कुशलमब्रवीत् । येषां कुशलकामोऽसि तेषां सम्प्रत्यनामयम् ।।1.73.3।।

kekayādhipatī rājā snehāt kuśalamabravīt | yeṣāṃ kuśalakāmo'si teṣāṃ sampratyanāmayam

"My father, king of Kekaya affectionately enquires about your welfare. And they whose welfare you seek are hale and healthy.

स्वस्रीयं मम राजेन्द्र द्रष्टुकामो महीपति:। तदर्थमुपयातोऽहमयोध्यां रघुनन्दन।।1.73.4।।

svasrīyaṃ mama rājendra draṣṭukāmo mahīpati:| tadarthamupayāto'hamayodhyāṃ raghunandana

The king of Kekaya, O Indra among kings, O Joy of the Raghus, desires to see my sisters's son and on that account I went to Ayodhya.

श्रुत्वा त्वहमयोध्यायां विवाहार्थं तवात्मजान् । मिथिलामुपयातांस्तु त्वया सह महीपते।।1.73.5।। त्वरयाभ्युपयातोऽहं द्रष्टुकाम स्स्वसुस्सुतम्।

śrutvā tvahamayodhyāyāṃ vivāhārthaṃ tavātmajān | mithilāmupayātāṃstu tvayā saha mahīpate tvarayābhyupayāto'haṃ draṣṭukāma ssvasussutam|

O King having heard in Ayodhya that you have arrived in Mithila along with your sons for their marriage I came here speedily with a desire to see my sister's son .

अथ राजा दशरथ: प्रियातिथिमुपस्थितम्।।1.73.6।। दृष्ट्वा परमसत्कारै: पूजार्हं समपूजयत्।

atha rājā daśaratha: priyātithimupasthitam dṛṣṭvā paramasatkārai: pūjārhaṃ samapūjayat|

King Dasaratha, then accorded a warm welcome to the honoured guest.

ततस्तामुषितो रात्रिं सह पुत्रैर्महात्मभि:।।1.73.7।। प्रभाते पुनरुत्थाय कृत्वा कर्माणि कर्मवित् । ऋषींस्तदा पुरस्कृत्य यज्ञवाटमुपागमत्।।1.73.8।।

tatastāmuṣito rātriṃ saha putrairmahātmabhi: prabhāte punarutthāya kṛtvā karmāṇi karmavit | ṛṣīṃstadā puraskṛtya yajñavāṭamupāgamat

With the night spent with his virtuous sons, he who knew his duties got up at dawn and performed his daily devotionas and reached the sacrificial place following the rishis.

ततस्तामुषितो रात्रिं सह पुत्रैर्महात्मभि:।।1.73.7।। प्रभाते पुनरुत्थाय कृत्वा कर्माणि कर्मवित् । ऋषींस्तदा पुरस्कृत्य यज्ञवाटमुपागमत्।।1.73.8।।

tatastāmuṣito rātriṃ saha putrairmahātmabhi: prabhāte punarutthāya kṛtvā karmāṇi karmavit | ṛṣīṃstadā puraskṛtya yajñavāṭamupāgamat

With the night spent with his virtuous sons, he who knew his duties got up at dawn and performed his daily devotionas and reached the sacrificial place following the rishis.

युक्ते मुहूर्ते विजये सर्वाभरणभूषितै:। भ्रातृभिस्सहितो राम: कृतकौतुकमंगल:।।1.73.9।। वसिष्ठं पुरत: कृत्वा महर्षीनपरानपि। पितु स्समीपमाश्रित्य तस्थौ भ्रातृभिरावृत:।।1.73.10।।

yukte muhūrte vijaye sarvābharaṇabhūṣitai:| bhrātṛbhissahito rāma: kṛtakautukamaṃgala: vasiṣṭhaṃ purata: kṛtvā maharṣīnaparānapi| pitu ssamīpamāśritya tasthau bhrātṛbhirāvṛta:

With the necessary auspicious rites preparatory to marriage performed at an auspicious moment, Vijaya, and keeping Vasishta and other maharshis in the forefront, Rama accompanied by his brothers adorned with ornaments of every kind came into his father's presence.

युक्ते मुहूर्ते विजये सर्वाभरणभूषितै:। भ्रातृभिस्सहितो राम: कृतकौतुकमंगल:।।1.73.9।। वसिष्ठं पुरत: कृत्वा महर्षीनपरानपि। पितु स्समीपमाश्रित्य तस्थौ भ्रातृभिरावृत:।।1.73.10।।

yukte muhūrte vijaye sarvābharaṇabhūṣitai:| bhrātṛbhissahito rāma: kṛtakautukamaṃgala: vasiṣṭhaṃ purata: kṛtvā maharṣīnaparānapi| pitu ssamīpamāśritya tasthau bhrātṛbhirāvṛta:

With the necessary auspicious rites preparatory to marriage performed at an auspicious moment, Vijaya, and keeping Vasishta and other maharshis in the forefront, Rama accompanied by his brothers adorned with ornaments of every kind came into his father's presence.

वसिष्ठो भगवानेत्य वैदेहमिदमब्रवीत्। राजा दशरथो राजन् कृतकौतुकमङ्गलै:।।1.73.11।। पुत्रैर्नरवर श्रेष्ठ दातारमभिकाङ्क्षते।

vasiṣṭho bhagavānetya vaidehamidamabravīt| rājā daśaratho rājan kṛtakautukamaṅgalai: putrairnaravara śreṣṭha dātāramabhikāṅkṣate|

Adorable Vasishta approached king Janaka and said, "O King, of Videha king Dasaratha, the best of men with his sons having performed the auspicious rites preparatory to marriage is awaiting the bestower of the brides".

दातृप्रतिग्रहीतृभ्यां सर्वार्था: प्रभवन्ति हि।।1.73.12।। स्वधर्मं प्रतिपद्यस्व कृत्वा वैवाह्यमुत्तमम्।

dātṛpratigrahītṛbhyāṃ sarvārthā: prabhavanti hi svadharmaṃ pratipadyasva kṛtvā vaivāhyamuttamam|

The giver and the receiver, indeed, attain all ends. Fulfil your own duty by performing the auspicious marriage".

इत्युक्त: परमोदारो वसिष्ठेन महात्मना।।1.73.13।। प्रत्युवाच महातेजा वाक्यं परमधर्मवित्।

ityukta: paramodāro vasiṣṭhena mahātmanā pratyuvāca mahātejā vākyaṃ paramadharmavit|

Thus addressed by the great self Vasishta, Janaka, the exceedingly generous, highly lustrous, eminent in ethics replied.

कस्स्थित: प्रतिहारो मे कस्याज्ञा सम्प्रतीक्ष्यते।।1.73.14।। स्वगृहे को विचारोऽस्ति यथा राज्यमिदं तव।

kassthita: pratihāro me kasyājñā sampratīkṣyate svagṛhe ko vicāro'sti yathā rājyamidaṃ tava|

"Did any guard prevent you? Whose command are you waiting for? Why do you hesitate to enter into your own house? This kingdom is like your kingdom".

कृतकौतुकसर्वस्वा वेदिमूलमुपागता:।।1.73.15।। मम कन्या मुनिश्रेष्ठ दीप्ता वह्नेरिवार्चिष:।

kṛtakautukasarvasvā vedimūlamupāgatā: mama kanyā muniśreṣṭha dīptā vahnerivārciṣa:|

O Best of ascetics my daughters have performed all the rites relating to marriage. They (now) stand at the foot of the altar shining like the bright flames of fire.

सज्जोऽहं त्वत्प्रतीक्षोऽस्मि वेद्यामस्यां प्रतिष्ठित:।।1.73.16।। अविघ्नं कुरुतां राजा किमर्थमवलम्बते।

sajjo'haṃ tvatpratīkṣo'smi vedyāmasyāṃ pratiṣṭhita: avighnaṃ kurutāṃ rājā kimarthamavalambate|

Ready at the altar, I have been awaiting you, O King Without hindrance proceed Why delay?".

तद्वाक्यं जनकेनोक्तं श्रुत्वा दशरथस्तदा। प्रवेशयामास सुतान् सर्वानृषिगणानपि।।1.73.17।।

tadvākyaṃ janakenoktaṃ śrutvā daśarathastadā| praveśayāmāsa sutān sarvānṛṣigaṇānapi

At the words of Janaka, Dasaratha brought his sons along with the hosts of ascetics and entered the marriage pavilion.

ततो राजा विदेहानां वसिष्ठमिदमब्रवीत्।।1.73.18।। कारयस्व ऋषे सर्वमृषिभि: सह धार्मिक। रामस्य लोकरामस्य क्रियां वैवाहिकीं विभो।।1.73.19।।

tato rājā videhānāṃ vasiṣṭhamidamabravīt kārayasva ṛṣe sarvamṛṣibhi: saha dhārmika| rāmasya lokarāmasya kriyāṃ vaivāhikīṃ vibho

Thereafter the king of the Videhas to Vasishta, "O Adherent of righteousness, O Lord O Maharshi perform with the rishis the marriage ceremony of Rama who causes delight to the three worlds".

ततो राजा विदेहानां वसिष्ठमिदमब्रवीत्।।1.73.18।। कारयस्व ऋषे सर्वमृषिभि: सह धार्मिक। रामस्य लोकरामस्य क्रियां वैवाहिकीं विभो।।1.73.19।।

tato rājā videhānāṃ vasiṣṭhamidamabravīt kārayasva ṛṣe sarvamṛṣibhi: saha dhārmika| rāmasya lokarāmasya kriyāṃ vaivāhikīṃ vibho

Thereafter the king of the Videhas to Vasishta, "O Adherent of righteousness, O Lord O Maharshi perform with the rishis the marriage ceremony of Rama who causes delight to the three worlds".

तथेत्युक्त्वा तु जनकं वसिष्ठो भगवानृषि:। विश्वामित्रं पुरस्कृत्य शतानन्दं च धार्मिकम्।।1.73.20।। प्रपामध्ये तु विधिवत्वेदिं कृत्वा महातपा: । अलञ्चकार तां वेदिं गन्धपुष्पै स्समन्तत: ।।1.73.21।। सुवर्णपालिकाभिश्च छिद्रकुम्भैश्च साङ्कुरै:। अङ्कुराढ्यैश्शरावैश्च धूपपात्रै स्सधूपकै:।।1.73.22।। शङ्खपात्रै स्स्रुवै स्स्रुग्भि: पात्रैरर्घ्याभिपूरितै:। लाजपूर्णैश्च पात्रीभिरक्षतैरभिसंस्कृतै:।।1.73.23।।

tathetyuktvā tu janakaṃ vasiṣṭho bhagavānṛṣi:| viśvāmitraṃ puraskṛtya śatānandaṃ ca dhārmikam prapāmadhye tu vidhivatvediṃ kṛtvā mahātapā: | alañcakāra tāṃ vediṃ gandhapuṣpai ssamantata: suvarṇapālikābhiśca chidrakumbhaiśca sāṅkurai:| aṅkurāḍhyaiśśarāvaiśca dhūpapātrai ssadhūpakai: śaṅkhapātrai ssruvai ssrugbhi: pātrairarghyābhipūritai:| lājapūrṇaiśca pātrībhirakṣatairabhisaṃskṛtai:

Venerable and renowned ascetic Vasishta said "Be it so".And with Viswamitra and virtuous Satananda in the forefront, an altar was duly improvised in the centre of the sacrificial pavilion. He adorned the altar on all sides with fragrant flowers, golden ladles, waterpots with holes filled with sprouts, earthen vessels with sprouts, holders of burning fragrant incense conchshaped vessels, sacrificial ladles, bowls filled with with water for arghya and other purposes, vessels with roasted paddy and grains of rice.

तथेत्युक्त्वा तु जनकं वसिष्ठो भगवानृषि:। विश्वामित्रं पुरस्कृत्य शतानन्दं च धार्मिकम्।।1.73.20।। प्रपामध्ये तु विधिवत्वेदिं कृत्वा महातपा: । अलञ्चकार तां वेदिं गन्धपुष्पै स्समन्तत: ।।1.73.21।। सुवर्णपालिकाभिश्च छिद्रकुम्भैश्च साङ्कुरै:। अङ्कुराढ्यैश्शरावैश्च धूपपात्रै स्सधूपकै:।।1.73.22।। शङ्खपात्रै स्स्रुवै स्स्रुग्भि: पात्रैरर्घ्याभिपूरितै:। लाजपूर्णैश्च पात्रीभिरक्षतैरभिसंस्कृतै:।।1.73.23।।

tathetyuktvā tu janakaṃ vasiṣṭho bhagavānṛṣi:| viśvāmitraṃ puraskṛtya śatānandaṃ ca dhārmikam prapāmadhye tu vidhivatvediṃ kṛtvā mahātapā: | alañcakāra tāṃ vediṃ gandhapuṣpai ssamantata: suvarṇapālikābhiśca chidrakumbhaiśca sāṅkurai:| aṅkurāḍhyaiśśarāvaiśca dhūpapātrai ssadhūpakai: śaṅkhapātrai ssruvai ssrugbhi: pātrairarghyābhipūritai:| lājapūrṇaiśca pātrībhirakṣatairabhisaṃskṛtai:

Venerable and renowned ascetic Vasishta said "Be it so".And with Viswamitra and virtuous Satananda in the forefront, an altar was duly improvised in the centre of the sacrificial pavilion. He adorned the altar on all sides with fragrant flowers, golden ladles, waterpots with holes filled with sprouts, earthen vessels with sprouts, holders of burning fragrant incense conchshaped vessels, sacrificial ladles, bowls filled with with water for arghya and other purposes, vessels with roasted paddy and grains of rice.

तथेत्युक्त्वा तु जनकं वसिष्ठो भगवानृषि:। विश्वामित्रं पुरस्कृत्य शतानन्दं च धार्मिकम्।।1.73.20।। प्रपामध्ये तु विधिवत्वेदिं कृत्वा महातपा: । अलञ्चकार तां वेदिं गन्धपुष्पै स्समन्तत: ।।1.73.21।। सुवर्णपालिकाभिश्च छिद्रकुम्भैश्च साङ्कुरै:। अङ्कुराढ्यैश्शरावैश्च धूपपात्रै स्सधूपकै:।।1.73.22।। शङ्खपात्रै स्स्रुवै स्स्रुग्भि: पात्रैरर्घ्याभिपूरितै:। लाजपूर्णैश्च पात्रीभिरक्षतैरभिसंस्कृतै:।।1.73.23।।

tathetyuktvā tu janakaṃ vasiṣṭho bhagavānṛṣi:| viśvāmitraṃ puraskṛtya śatānandaṃ ca dhārmikam prapāmadhye tu vidhivatvediṃ kṛtvā mahātapā: | alañcakāra tāṃ vediṃ gandhapuṣpai ssamantata: suvarṇapālikābhiśca chidrakumbhaiśca sāṅkurai:| aṅkurāḍhyaiśśarāvaiśca dhūpapātrai ssadhūpakai: śaṅkhapātrai ssruvai ssrugbhi: pātrairarghyābhipūritai:| lājapūrṇaiśca pātrībhirakṣatairabhisaṃskṛtai:

Venerable and renowned ascetic Vasishta said "Be it so".And with Viswamitra and virtuous Satananda in the forefront, an altar was duly improvised in the centre of the sacrificial pavilion. He adorned the altar on all sides with fragrant flowers, golden ladles, waterpots with holes filled with sprouts, earthen vessels with sprouts, holders of burning fragrant incense conchshaped vessels, sacrificial ladles, bowls filled with with water for arghya and other purposes, vessels with roasted paddy and grains of rice.

तथेत्युक्त्वा तु जनकं वसिष्ठो भगवानृषि:। विश्वामित्रं पुरस्कृत्य शतानन्दं च धार्मिकम्।।1.73.20।। प्रपामध्ये तु विधिवत्वेदिं कृत्वा महातपा: । अलञ्चकार तां वेदिं गन्धपुष्पै स्समन्तत: ।।1.73.21।। सुवर्णपालिकाभिश्च छिद्रकुम्भैश्च साङ्कुरै:। अङ्कुराढ्यैश्शरावैश्च धूपपात्रै स्सधूपकै:।।1.73.22।। शङ्खपात्रै स्स्रुवै स्स्रुग्भि: पात्रैरर्घ्याभिपूरितै:। लाजपूर्णैश्च पात्रीभिरक्षतैरभिसंस्कृतै:।।1.73.23।।

tathetyuktvā tu janakaṃ vasiṣṭho bhagavānṛṣi:| viśvāmitraṃ puraskṛtya śatānandaṃ ca dhārmikam prapāmadhye tu vidhivatvediṃ kṛtvā mahātapā: | alañcakāra tāṃ vediṃ gandhapuṣpai ssamantata: suvarṇapālikābhiśca chidrakumbhaiśca sāṅkurai:| aṅkurāḍhyaiśśarāvaiśca dhūpapātrai ssadhūpakai: śaṅkhapātrai ssruvai ssrugbhi: pātrairarghyābhipūritai:| lājapūrṇaiśca pātrībhirakṣatairabhisaṃskṛtai:

Venerable and renowned ascetic Vasishta said "Be it so".And with Viswamitra and virtuous Satananda in the forefront, an altar was duly improvised in the centre of the sacrificial pavilion. He adorned the altar on all sides with fragrant flowers, golden ladles, waterpots with holes filled with sprouts, earthen vessels with sprouts, holders of burning fragrant incense conchshaped vessels, sacrificial ladles, bowls filled with with water for arghya and other purposes, vessels with roasted paddy and grains of rice.

दर्भैस्समैस्समास्तीर्य विधिवन्मन्त्रपूर्वकम्। अग्निमादाय वेद्यां तु विधिमन्त्रपुरस्कृतम्।।1.73.24।। जुहावाग्नौ महातेजा वसिष्ठो भगवानृषि:।

darbhaissamaissamāstīrya vidhivanmantrapūrvakam| agnimādāya vedyāṃ tu vidhimantrapuraskṛtam juhāvāgnau mahātejā vasiṣṭho bhagavānṛṣi:|

Brilliant and worshipful rishi Vasishta chanted, mantras according to tradition, put the darbha grass of equal proportions around the altar, placed the fire on the altar, recited the mantras from the scriptures and offered oblations into the flame.

ततस्सीतां समानीय सर्वाभरणभूषिताम्।।1.73.25।। समक्षमग्ने स्संस्थाप्य राघवाभिमुखे तदा। अब्रवीज्जनको राजा कौसल्यानन्दवर्धनम्।।1.73.26।।

tatassītāṃ samānīya sarvābharaṇabhūṣitām samakṣamagne ssaṃsthāpya rāghavābhimukhe tadā| abravījjanako rājā kausalyānandavardhanam

Thereafter king Janaka brought Sita adorned with various ornaments and placed her in the presence of Agni in front of Rama, the enhancer of the joy of Kausalya. And said:

ततस्सीतां समानीय सर्वाभरणभूषिताम्।।1.73.25।। समक्षमग्ने स्संस्थाप्य राघवाभिमुखे तदा। अब्रवीज्जनको राजा कौसल्यानन्दवर्धनम्।।1.73.26।।

tatassītāṃ samānīya sarvābharaṇabhūṣitām samakṣamagne ssaṃsthāpya rāghavābhimukhe tadā| abravījjanako rājā kausalyānandavardhanam

Thereafter king Janaka brought Sita adorned with various ornaments and placed her in the presence of Agni in front of Rama, the enhancer of the joy of Kausalya. And said:

इयं सीता मम सुता सहधर्मचरी तव। प्रतीच्छ चैनां भद्रं ते पाणिं गृह्णीष्व पाणिना।।1.73.27।।

iyaṃ sītā mama sutā sahadharmacarī tava| pratīccha caināṃ bhadraṃ te pāṇiṃ gṛhṇīṣva pāṇinā

"This my daughter Sita will be your partner in performing her rightful duty. Accept her. Farewell. Take her hand into your own.

पतिव्रता महाभागा छायेवानुगता सदा। इत्युक्त्वा प्राक्षिपद्राजा मन्त्रपूतं जलं तदा।।1.73.28।।

pativratā mahābhāgā chāyevānugatā sadā| ityuktvā prākṣipadrājā mantrapūtaṃ jalaṃ tadā

By being a devoted wife this highly fortunate Sita would always follow you like a shadow". Thus spoken, he sprinkled the water sanctified with mantras (on them).

साधु साध्विति देवाना मृषीणां वदतां तदा । देवदुन्दुभिर्निर्घोष: पुष्पवर्षो महानभूत्।।1.73.29।।

sādhu sādhviti devānā mṛṣīṇāṃ vadatāṃ tadā | devadundubhirnirghoṣa: puṣpavarṣo mahānabhūt

Then gods and sages exclaimed: 'well, well'. Celestial kettledrums were sounded and there was a steady rain of flowers.

एवं दत्त्वा तदा सीतां मन्त्रोदकपुरस्कृताम् । अब्रवीज्जनको राजा हर्षेणाभिपरिप्लुत:।।1.73.30।।

evaṃ dattvā tadā sītāṃ mantrodakapuraskṛtām | abravījjanako rājā harṣeṇābhiparipluta:

Then king Janaka sprinkled on Sita waters sanctified by mantras, and immersed in delight said:

लक्ष्मणागच्छ भद्रं ते ऊर्मिलामुद्यतां मया। प्रतीच्छ पाणिं गृह्णीष्व माभूत्कालस्य पर्यय:।।1.73.31।।

lakṣmaṇāgaccha bhadraṃ te ūrmilāmudyatāṃ mayā| pratīccha pāṇiṃ gṛhṇīṣva mābhūtkālasya paryaya:

"Lakshmana come and accept my daughter. Urmila ready to be bestowed upon you by me. Take her hand. Let there be no delay".

तमेवमुक्त्वा जनको भरतं चाभ्यभाषत। गृहाण पाणिं माण्डव्या: पाणिना रघुनन्दन ।।1.73.32।।

tamevamuktvā janako bharataṃ cābhyabhāṣata| gṛhāṇa pāṇiṃ māṇḍavyā: pāṇinā raghunandana

Janaka, having spoken thus to Lakshmana addressed Bharata: "O Descendant of the Raghus hold Mandavi's hand in your own".

शत्रुघ्नं चापि धर्मात्मा अब्रवीज्जनकेश्वर:। श्रुतकीर्त्या महाबाहो पाणिं गृह्णीष्व पाणिना।।1.73.33।।

śatrughnaṃ cāpi dharmātmā abravījjanakeśvara:| śrutakīrtyā mahābāho pāṇiṃ gṛhṇīṣva pāṇinā

The righteous king Janaka, said again: "O Mightyarmed Satrughna take the hands of Srutakirti".

सर्वे भवन्तस्सौम्याश्च सर्वे सुचरितव्रता:। पत्नीभिस्सन्तु काकुत्स्था माभूत्कालस्य पर्यय:।।1.73.34।।

sarve bhavantassaumyāśca sarve sucaritavratā:| patnībhissantu kākutsthā mābhūtkālasya paryaya:

O Descendants of Kakustha (Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata and Satrughna) you all are gentle. You possess sound character. You are true to your vows. Live with your wives. Let there be no delay".

जनकस्य वच श्शृत्वा पाणीन् पाणिभिरास्पृशन्। चत्वारस्ते चतसृ़णां वसिष्ठस्य मते स्थिता:।।1.73.35।।

janakasya vaca śśṛtvā pāṇīn pāṇibhirāspṛśan| catvāraste catasṛ़ṇāṃ vasiṣṭhasya mate sthitā:

At the words of Janaka the four princes took the hands of the four sisters with their own with the consent of Vasishta .

अग्निं प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य वेदिं राजानमेव च। ऋषींश्चैव महात्मानस्सभार्या रघुसत्तमा:।।1.73.36।। यथोक्तेन तदा चक्रुर्विवाहं विधिपूर्वकम्।

agniṃ pradakṣiṇīkṛtya vediṃ rājānameva ca| ṛṣīṃścaiva mahātmānassabhāryā raghusattamā: yathoktena tadā cakrurvivāhaṃ vidhipūrvakam|

The great, noble princes of the race of Raghu, accompanied by their wives circumambulated the altar of the sacred fire. King Janaka and the sages in obedience to the directions of Vasishta and in accordance with the sastras conducted the matrimonial.

काकुत्स्थैश्च गृहीतेषु ललितेषु च पाणिषु।।1.73.37।। पुष्पवृष्टिर्महत्यासीदन्तरिक्षात्सुभास्वरा।

kākutsthaiśca gṛhīteṣu laliteṣu ca pāṇiṣu puṣpavṛṣṭirmahatyāsīdantarikṣātsubhāsvarā|

While the descendants of Kakustha (Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata and Satrughna) held the elegant hands (of Sita, Urmila, Mandavi, and Srutakirti) there was a heavy rain of bright flowers from the sky.