Happy Moments - Ramayan #ladduawards

Two Bodies - One Soul

Author's Note : So I am now here with the second and last part. Hope you all like this.

The morning sun shone brightly, indicating the bright future of the Raghukul clan. The city of Mithila is enjoying this blessed day by singing songs. The beats of drums were heard all over the place. The marriage day had arrived. It's time for the union of Narayana and Lakshmi, Rama and Sita. The rituals are duly performed and it is the time for Kashi Yatra.

Rama and his brothers were standing, holding a stick in their hand.

“I have finished my Brahmacharya, and I have duly performed the four Vratas, known as Prajapatya, Saumya, Agneya, and Vaisvadeva. I am wending my way to holy Benares. Do you give me leave, therefore, to depart.” recited Rama, followed by his brothers.

The priest then uttered,
"An unmarried daughter I have who shines in her natural decorations. O Dvija, her will I give to thee; go thou hand with her together with thy Grihya Fire. Do thou, therefore, come unto my house.”

Janak and Kushadwaj came forward and folded their hands in prayer. They two recited in chorus, “I will give to thee my well decorated unmarried daughter. You may go hand in hand with her together with the Grihya fire. So come to my house”.

Ram and his brothers approved their  proposal and accepted their daughters.

Ram met Sita's eyes, which had so much of love for him. Her lotus shaped eyes met his, which is full of love and care. They stood, enjoying the eternal love that filled the atmosphere, not wanting to take their eyes off.

The voice of the Priest brought them back to the reality.

They completed the swing ceremony and the rituals followed by it, while their eyes spoke lots of emotions, which they missed during their separation.

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"For Dharmastapanam, it is necessary for us to get separated. Our separation is for the destruction of Adharma, where I will release you from Lanakpati Ravan, beheading him, establishing Dharm." Said MahaVishnu, smiling Softly, resting on Ananta. "I will take birth in the Raghukul clan, as the 
son of Dashrath and Kaushalya, as the Jyesht bhrata of Bharat, Lakshman and Shatrughnan."

"I'll take birth in the Nimivansh, as the daughter of Janak and Sunaina." Said Lakshmi, massaging Vishnu's feet.

They smiled tenderly at each other, eyes full of love and compassion.

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The rituals were done one after another, finally coming to the important part of the marriage ceremony, Kanyadhanam.

Sita was draped in a nine-yards saree, which had the shades of brown and red. She was seated in Janak's lap. Janak recited the mantras heavy heartedly, while his eyes were blurred with tears.

He then, as directed by the priest, gave away the hand of Sita to Rama, seeking him to take care of his baby daughter, who played in his lap, seeking his promise to be always on her side.

Ram gently held Sita's hand and wiped away his tears and assured Janak that he will always take care of her.

Ram came forward, holding Mangalasutra in his hands, tied it in the neck of Sita, marking the beginning of their new phrase of life. Then, Ram took Kumkum and applied it on Sita's forehead. Sita closed her eyes, his touch made her to remember the times when he'll always apply Kumkum in her forehead, when he was Narayan and she, his Lakshmi. She is Rama's Ramaa now, and he, Sita's Raghunandan. Together they are SiyaRam, now and forever.

They then performed Saptapadi. They made promises to each other. They came round the pious fire,holding hand in hand, seven times, making seven vows.

For the First Vow, Ram promised: “om esha ekapadi bhava iti prathaman”. ‘You will offer me food and be helpful in every way. I will cherish you and provide welfare and happiness for you and our children’.

Sita compiled in return:“dhanam dhanyam pade vadet”
‘ I am responsible for the home and all household, food and finance responsibilities’.

Concisely, Ram and Sita promised each other prosperity by fulfilling their respective roles in their lives.

For the Second Vow Ram said: “om oorje jara dastayaha”
‘Together we will protect our house and children’.

Sita, in return promised, “kutumburn rakshayishyammi sa aravindharam”,
‘I will be by your side as your courage and strength. I will rejoice in your happiness. In return, you will love me solely’. 

During the Third Vow, Ram said “om rayas santu joradastayaha”.
‘May we grow wealthy and prosperous and strive for the education of our children and may our children live long.’

In return the Sita promised, “tava bhakti as vadedvachacha"
‘I will love you solely for the rest of my life, as you are my husband. Every other man in my life will be secondary. I vow to remain chaste.

During the Fourth Vow, Ram declared “om mayo bhavyas jaradastaya ha”
‘You have brought sacredness into my life, and have completed me. May we be blessed with noble and obedient children’.

In return for this promise, Sita said “lalayami cha pade vadet”
'I will shower you with joy, from head to toe. I will strive to please you in every way I can’.

For the Fifth Vow, Ram said,
“om prajabhyaha santu jaradastayaha”,
‘You are my best friend, and staunchest well-wisher. You have come into my life, enriching it. God bless you’.

To this Sita said, “arte arba sapade vadet”
‘I promise to love and cherish you for as long as I live. Your happiness is my happiness, and your sorrow is my sorrow. I will trust and honor you, and will strive to fulfill all your wishes’.

During the Sixth Vow, Ram asked, “Rutubhyah shat padi bhava”
‘Now that you have taken six steps with me, you have filled my heart with immense happiness. Will you do the kindness of filling my heart with happiness like this for all times?’

To this Sita replied smiling, “yajna hom shashthe vacho vadet”
‘I will always be by your side’.

For the Last and Seventh Vow, Ram declared “Om sakhi jaradastayahga”,
‘We are now husband and wife, and are one. You are mine and I am yours for eternity.’

Sita accepted this proclamation and said “Attramshe sakshino vadet pade”
‘As God is witness, I am now your wife. We will love, honor and cherish each other forever.’

By making promises to each other, they came round the fire and completed this ritual. 

Ram lead Sita to the grindstone and took her feet and placed it on that. He then made her wear Toe-ring in her toe finger, thereby placing the respect of his family under her feet and insisting her the responsibility to take care of the family hereafter.

They then went towards Dashrath and fell on his feet. He lifted them gently with tearful eyes while Ram wiped his tears.

Then they went to the three Queens, who were standing rooted in their place, eyes filled with tears of happiness. The three of them hugged Sita after blessing the couple to have a blissful married life ahead.

They then went to Janak and Sunaina. Sita-Ram fell on their feet. Janak gently lifted them up. Tears were flowing down his cheek. Sita wiped the tears with her saree, while her own tears were flowing out of control. She couldn't control her emotions anymore and dashed against her father's chest. He gently caressed her, as his tears wetted her hair. They stood like this, as Ram witnessed the amount of love they had for each other.

"Father-Daughter relationship is surely the best in the world."

I hope you enjoyed this. Share your thoughts on this. Thank you all for reading. Once again, Happy Anniversary Maa and Paa ❤❤