वसिष्ठं पुरतः कृत्वा महर्षीनपरानपि। वसिष्ठो भगवानेत्य वैदेहमिदमब्रवीत्
Placing Vasiṣṭha at the front, along with other great sages, the venerable Vasiṣṭha approached and spoke to the king of Videha.
राजा दशरथो राजन् कृतकौतुकमंगलैः। पुत्रैर्नरवरश्रेष्ठो दातारमभिकाङ्क्षते
King Dasharatha, O king, together with his sons who have performed the festive and auspicious rites, the foremost among men, desires the giver.
दातृप्रतिग्रहीतृभ्यां सर्वार्थाः सम्भवन्ति हि। स्वधर्मं प्रतिपद्यस्व कृत्वा वैवाह्यमुत्तमम्
Indeed, all purposes are accomplished through the giver and the receiver; follow your own duty, having performed this excellent marriage.
इत्युक्तः परमोदारो वसिष्ठेन महात्मना। प्रत्युवाच महातेजा वाक्यं परमधर्मवित्
Thus addressed by the exceedingly generous and high-souled Vasiṣṭha, the illustrious knower of supreme dharma replied with these words.
कः स्थितः प्रतिहारो मे कस्याज्ञां सम्प्रतीक्षते। स्वगृहे को विचारोऽस्ति यथा राज्यमिदं तव
Who stands as my doorkeeper, waiting for whose command? What deliberation exists in my own house, as if this kingdom were yours?
कृतकौतुकसर्वस्वा वेदिमूलमुपागताः। मम कन्या मुनिश्रेष्ठ दीप्ता बह्नेरिवार्चिषः
Having completed all the festive preparations, my daughters have approached the altar, O best of sages, shining like flames of blazing fire.
सद्योऽहं त्वत्प्रतीक्षोऽस्मि वेद्यामस्यां प्रतिष्ठितः। अविघ्नं क्रियतां सर्वं किमर्थं हि विलम्ब्यते
I am now awaiting you, standing at this altar; let everything proceed without obstacle—why is there delay?
तद् वाक्यं जनकेनोक्तं श्रुत्वा दशरथस्तदा। प्रवेशयामास सुतान् सर्वानृषिगणानपि
Hearing those words spoken by Janaka, then Daśaratha brought in all his sons and the groups of sages.
ततो राजा विदेहानां वसिष्ठमिदमब्रवीत्। कारयस्व ऋषे सर्वामृषिभिः सह धार्मिक
Then the king of the Videhas spoke to Vasiṣṭha: 'O righteous sage, have all the rites performed together with the sages.'
रामस्य लोकरामस्य क्रियां वैवाहिकीं प्रभो। तथेत्युक्त्वा तु जनकं वसिष्ठो भगवानृषिः
The marriage ceremony of Rāma, delight of the world, is to be performed, O lord. Having said 'So be it' to Janaka, the venerable sage Vasiṣṭha...
विश्वामित्रं पुरस्कृत्य शतानन्दं च धार्मिकम्। प्रपामध्ये तु विधिवद् वेदिं कृत्वा महातपाः
Placing Viśvāmitra and the righteous Śatānanda at the forefront, the great ascetic properly constructed the altar in the midst of the pavilion.
अलंचकार तां वेदिं गन्धपुष्पैः समन्ततः। सुवर्णपालिकाभिश्च चित्रकुम्भैश्च साङ्कुरैः
He adorned that altar all around with fragrant flowers, golden vessels, and decorated pots containing sprouts.
अङ्कुराढ्यैः शरावैश्च धूपपात्रैः सधूपकैः। शङ्खपात्रैः स्रुवैः स्रग्भिः पात्रैरर्घ्यादिपूजितैः
With bowls filled with sprouts, incense vessels with incense, conch vessels, ladles, garlands, and vessels for arghya and other offerings, duly honored.
लाजपूर्णैश्च पात्रीभिरक्षतैरपि संस्कृतैः। दर्भैः समैः समास्तीर्य विधिवन्मन्त्रपूर्वकम्
With vessels filled with fried grains and prepared rice, spreading even darbha grass as prescribed, with proper recitation of mantras.
अग्निमाधाय तं वेद्यां विधिमन्त्रपुरस्कृतम्। जुहावाग्नौ महातेजा वसिष्ठो मुनिपुंगवः
Having established the fire on that altar, preceded by proper rites and mantras, the illustrious sage Vasiṣṭha offered oblations into the fire.
ततः सीतां समानीय सर्वाभरणभूषिताम्। समक्षमग्नेः संस्थाप्य राघवाभिमुखे तदा
Then, bringing Sītā adorned with all ornaments, he placed her before the fire, facing Rāghava at that time.
अब्रवीज्जनको राजा कौसल्यानन्दवर्धनम्। इयं सीता मम सुता सहधर्मचरी तव
King Janaka spoke to Rāma, increaser of Kausalyā's joy: 'This is Sītā, my daughter, your companion in righteousness.'
प्रतीच्छ चैनां भद्रं ते पाणिं गृह्णीष्व पाणिना। पतिव्रता महाभागा छायेवानुगता सदा
'Accept her, good fortune to you; take her hand with your hand. She is devoted to her husband, greatly blessed, always following you like a shadow.'
इत्युक्त्वा प्राक्षिपद् राजा मन्त्रपूतं जलं तदा। साधुसाध्विति देवानामृषीणां वदतां तदा
Having said this, the king then poured water purified by mantras, as the gods and sages exclaimed, 'Well done, well done!'
देवदुन्दुभिनिर्घोषः पुष्पवर्षो महानभूत्। एवं दत्त्वा सुतां सीतां मन्त्रोदकपुरस्कृताम्
There arose a great sound of divine drums and a shower of flowers; thus, having given his daughter Sītā, sanctified with mantra-water...
अब्रवीज्जनको राजा हर्षेणाभिपरिप्लुतः। लक्ष्मणागच्छ भद्रं ते ऊर्मिलामुद्यतां मया
King Janaka, filled with joy, said: 'Lakshmana, come, good fortune to you; Urmila, whom I have prepared, is yours.'
प्रतीच्छ पाणिं गृह्णीष्व मा भूत् कालस्य पर्ययः। तमेवमुक्त्वा जनको भरतं चाभ्यभाषत
Accept her hand, take her hand; let not the proper time pass by.' Having spoken thus, Janaka addressed Bharata as well.
गृहाण पाणिं माण्डव्याः पाणिना रघुनन्दन। शत्रुघ्नं चापि धर्मात्मा अब्रवीन्मिथिलेश्वरः
'O delight of the Raghus, take Mandavi's hand with your own.' And the virtuous king of Mithila spoke also to Shatrughna.
श्रुतकीर्तेर्महाबाहो पाणिं गृह्णीष्व पाणिना। सर्वे भवन्तः सौम्याश्च सर्वे सुचरितव्रताः
'O mighty-armed one, take Shrutakirti's hand with your own.' All of you are gentle and steadfast in noble vows.
पत्नीभिः सन्तु काकुत्स्था मा भूत् कालस्य पर्ययः। जनकस्य वचः श्रुत्वा पाणीन् पाणिभिरस्पृशन्
May the Kakutsthas be with their wives; let not the proper time pass.' Hearing Janaka's words, they joined hands with hands.
चत्वारस्ते चतसॄणां वसिष्ठस्य मते स्थिताः। अग्निं प्रदक्षिणं कृत्वा वेदिं राजानमेव च
The four stood with the four, as directed by Vasishtha; having circumambulated the fire, the altar, and the king.
ऋषींश्चापि महात्मानः सहभार्या रघूद्वहाः। यथोक्तेन ततश्चक्रुर्विवाहं विधिपूर्वकम्
The great-souled descendants of Raghu, together with their wives, and the sages, performed the marriage as prescribed.
पुष्पवृष्टिर्महत्यासीदन्तरिक्षात् सुभास्वरा। दिव्यदुन्दुभिनिर्घोषैर्गीतवादित्रनिःस्वनैः
A great shower of flowers, shining brightly, fell from the sky; with the sounds of divine drums, songs, and musical instruments.
ननृतुश्चाप्सरःसङ्घा गन्धर्वाश्च जगुः कलम्। विवाहे रघुमुख्यानां तदद्भुतमदृश्यत
Companies of Apsaras danced, and Gandharvas sang sweetly; at the wedding of the foremost Raghus, that wonder was seen.
ईदृशे वर्तमाने तु तूर्योद्घुष्टनिनादिते। त्रिरग्निं ते परिक्रम्य ऊहुर्भार्या महौजसः
As this was taking place, with the sound of instruments resounding, those mighty ones, after circling the fire three times, led their wives away.