Baal Kaanda
55 - Arrival of the marriage procession and its reception etc., at Janakapura
Chaupais
Description
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 usage. 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. After waving lights the queen offered water to Sri Rama for washing His hands with and the latter then proceeded to the pavilion. Dasaratha shone in all his glory with his followers; his magnificence put to shame the guardians of the different worlds. From time to time the gods rained down flowers; and the Brahmanas recited propitiatory texts appropriate to the occasion. 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. In this way Sri Rama entered the pavilion; after offering Him water to wash His hands with, He was conducted to His seat.