Ayodhya Kaanda
76 - The boatman's love and the passage across the Ganga
Chaupais
Description
The Lord of Raghu's race then bathed in the Ganga and after worshipping a newlymade clay image of Siva bowed His head to the Deity. With joined palms Sita addressed the celestial river (Ganga), "Mother, pray accomplish my desire, that I may return with my husband and His younger brother and worship you." In response to Sita's prayer, steeped as it was in the nectar of love, the following happy utterance came from the holy stream: "Listen, O Vaidehi (Videha's Daughter), beloved Consort of Sri Rama (the Chief of Raghu's line): who in this world is not aware of Your glory? People become masters of the heaven's quarters the moment You look at them and all supernatural powers wait upon You with joined palms. By addressing an humble prayer to me You have done me a favour and exalted me. Yet, O venerable lady, bless You I must, just in order to fulfil my speech.