Ramayana_VOLUME V with index

329
Janaka
rituals for drawing upon the wedded couples the Grace of the
Gods.
Then Janaka rose and standing in the centre of the dais, he
announced to the bridegrooms, “Darlings! Our daughters are to
be installed as mistresses of your households. The auspicious
moment has come.” As soon as he said so, with the blessing and
approval of Vashishta, the four brothers held their brides each by
their hand and they circumambulated first the sacred fire, and
then Janaka and Vashishta the Preceptor, and prostrated before
them. While they were doing so, showers of flowers fell upon
them; joyous music rose from a galaxy of instruments. The
distinguished gathering acclaimed the moment and scattered rice
grains on their heads, wishing them all the best in life. The
jubilation with which they cheered “Subham! Subham,” shook
the sky. It filled all ears with delight. The gods played divine
music in heaven. Elysian drums were beaten in ecstatic
exaltation. The minstrels of heaven sang hallelujahs.
On the dais, court musicians sang the traditional wedding songs
describing the splendour of the marriage ceremony and extolling
it as on a par with the marriage of Lord Siva and Gouri. They
sang it in a rich variety of ragas (musical tones) and melodies
filling the atmosphere with vibrations of delight. The four
brothers with their brides stood on the dais facing the vast
gathering, and bowed in acknowledgement of their cheers and
greetings: “May you be happy forever,” “May everything
auspicious be added unto you.” The brothers, resplendent in their
youth, heroism and beauty, proceeded with their brides into
enclosures behind the curtains from where their mothers were