Under the protection of Sri Rama and Laksmana, sage Viswamitra completes his 6-day sacrificial proceedings. Viswamitra then tells Rama, “I stand accomplished of my purpose. You, the illustrious hero, have carried out my bidding and the name of Siddhasrama has been justified.”
Next day morning, Rama and Laksmana greeting Viswamitra and other Rishis, submit thus: “What injunction of yours we should carryout.” Then, with the nod of Viswamitra, Rishis tell them: “Janaka, King of Mithila, is about to perform a most pious sacrifice. We shall all go there. There you ought to see a marvellous bow, which no one could so far, including gods, bend it.”
Thus, Viswamitra, accompanied by Sri Rama and Laksmana and other Rishis, proceed towards Mithila to watch the bow-sacrifice of King Janaka. On the way, they break their journey on the bank of Sona at sunset. Later, crossing the Sona, they reach the bank of Ganga and spend the night there. There at the request of Rama, Viswamitra narrates him the story of the origin of Ganga. Later, on the way to Mithila, as Rama enters the hermitage of Gautama, Ahalya redeems her celestial form. She then offers hospitality to the two brothers as enunciated in the scriptures. Everyone rejoice the occasion.
Viswamitra, Rama and Laksmana and others finally reach Mithila. Nearing the hall of Vedic ritual of Janaka, Rama, expressing his praise for the arrangements made by Janaka for the ceremony, prays to Viswamitra that he may decide a cottage for them too nearby. On hearing the words of Rama, Viswamitra arranges a camp at an unfrequented place that has refreshing water.
On hearing that Viswamitra arrived at the ceremony, King Janaka, keeping his family priest, Satananda, afore, rushes to Viswamitra and receives him with all humility by offering hospitality as prescribed by the scriptures. He then submits, “You have blessed me with your arrival at my sacrificial grounds along with many sages. Permit me to continue my sacrificial vow for twelve more days. After that, you could also watch the gods who appear to receive their sacrificial offerings.” Turning to the two valiant lads who look like a pair of gods descended on earth, Janaka questions Vishwamitra as to whose sons are they. Informing them that they are the sons of Emperor Dasaratha, Viswamitra narrates the whole story thus far happened.
Hearing how Ahalya was redeemed by Sri Rama, Satananda, son of Gautama and Ahalya and rejoicing he narrates to Rama the story of Viswamitra. On hearing the glorious narration of Satananda, King Janaka praying to Viswamitra to grant him leave as it is time for him to perform religious rites, and also to be pleased to pay a visit to him the next day, returns to his palace.
Next day, Janaka calling on Viswamitra, prays to let him know if there is anything that he can do for them. Then Viswamitra apprises Janaka about the eagerness of Sri Rama and Laksmana to see his superb bow. With their desire fulfilled, the two princes will return as they would. Janaka then reveals them the glory of the bow and also tells them how he got it. He then narrates how he got Sita from the track of the ploughshare while ploughing the plot set apart for a sacrifice; how she grew up as his daughter; the rulers of the land approaching him suing for his Sita; his bringing out the bow of Lord Siva and asking the princes to prove their valour by stringing it; and none were being able to toss it even; his rejection of them; angered by his rejection, all those kings inflicting sufferings on his city; his praying the gods and as they pleased with his prayers their granting him an army complete in all four limbs and with it his driving away of the villainous kings from his capital.
“I shall now show that splendid bow to Sri Rama and Laksmana as well.” He also says, “if Rama strings this bow, I promise to give away my daughter, Sita, to the son of Dasaratha.” Hearing the narration of Janaka, Viswamitra then asks him to show the bow to Rama. Janaka then orders his ministers: “Let the heavenly bow, adorned sandalwood paste and garlands, be brought here.”
As commanded, his ministers coming back with an eight-wheeled coffer in which the bow of Shiva is ensconced, tugged by five thousand tall men of illimitable energy who could somehow tug it in, announce: “Oh king and sovereign of Mithila, here is the select bow” Listening to his ministers, Janaka then submits to Viswamitra and to both Rama and Laksmana too thus: “Here is that exquisite bow, Oh, Brahman, which is held as a time-honored bow by the lineage of Janaka kings… Oh, eminent-saint, such as it is... let this be displayed to those two princes... “As prayed for by Janaka, Viswamitra then says to Sri Rama, “vatsa rāma dhanuḥ paśhya—Child Rama, behold the bow!”
Rama, opening the chest in which the bow is placed, and beholding the bow forthwith, says:
“bāḍham—Amen!” said the king and the sage. As every one is watching, Sri Rama playfully seizes the bow at the middle, sets the string to the bow and as he bends it, lo! making a loud noise, it breaks into two at the middle.
Feeling relieved, Janaka submits to Viswamitra thus: “I have witnessed the prowess of the son of Dasaratha.. his feat is marvellous, inconceivable, and was never thought of by me. My pledge that Sita can be won only through valuor stands redeemed today. My daughter, Sita who is dearer to me, remains to be given away. With your permission, I will send my counselors to Ayodhya to bring the Emperor to Mithila.”
Accordingly, Janaka’s counselors, on reaching Ayodhya, inform Dasaratha how Sri Rama broke the bow of Janaka and won the hand of Sita, his daughter. They also convey him their master’s message sent with the consent of sage Viswamitra thus: “O illustrious King, by exhibiting his valuor, your worthy son has decisively won my celebrated daughter. I have to now redeem my pledge by giving away Sita to that exalted soul. Be pleased to sanction it. Accompanied by your preceptor and your family priest, O King, come soon and bring my pledge to completion.”
Dasaratha is delighted to hear the news. He then, taking the consent of sage Vasistha and Vamadeva as well as his counselors, proceeds to Mithila for the wedding. They are received with signal honour by Janaka and his people and are lodged comfortably.
Later, at the instance of Dasaratha, Vasistha glorifies the race of Ikswaku at the Janaka’s palace. Recounting his own pedigree, Janaka offers the hand of his two daughters, Sita and Urmila to SriRama and Laksmana, respectively.
Vasistha and Viswamitra jointly ask for the hand of the two daughters of Kusadhwaja, brother of King Janaka, in favour of Bharata and Satrughna and Janaka acquiesces the proposal. Then Janaka submits to sage Vasistha thus: “kārayasva ṛṣhe sarvān ṛṣhibhiḥ saha dhārmika / rāmasya loka rāmasya kriyām vaivāhikīm prabho — O pious seer, along with the other sages, conduct the nuptial ceremony of Sri Rama, the delight of the world, my lord!”
Saying, “Amen” to Janaka, Vasistha, placing Viswamitra and Satananda at his head, prepares a sacrificial alter at the center of the pavilion according to scriptural ordinance, and gets it decorated on all sides with sandal paste and flowers.
After that, duly escorting Sita, adorned with all the jewels and having comfortably seated her before the sacred fire opposite to Sri Rama, Janaka then says: “…iyam sītā mama sutā saha dharma charī tava / pratīchchha cha enām bhadram te pāṇim gṛhṇīṣhva pāṇinā (I.73. 25, 26)—This Sita, my daughter, is going to be your helpmate in discharging your sacred obligations. Take her hand in your own and accept her. May god betide you! She will remain exclusively devoted to you. She will ever follow you as a shadow.” Saying so, Janaka forthwith pours water through his hand into Rama’s hand, consecrating the kanyadan—giving away of his daughter to Rama as his wife—by the recitation of mantras.
Following Rama’s kalyan, Janaka invites Laksmana to accept Urmila, Bharata the hand of Mandavi, and Satrughna the hand of Srutakirti as wife and be married.
Hearing the request of Janaka all the four princes grasping the hands of the four princess, going clock-wise round the sacrificial fire, the altar, as well as round Janaka and the sages, go through the rest of the rituals of marriage.
Next day, taking leave of Janaka, Dasaradha leaves for Ayodhya along with his sons and their newly-wedded brides.
Sita Rama Kalyana episode was recited by us at this place. Outside the mandap, on 4 sides, we can find separate sannidhis for Sita-Rama, Mandavi-Bharata, Urmila-Lakshmana and Srutakeerthi-Shatruguna.
The Yatri's who joined us in this yatra had many marriages fixed in their family after the Ram Anu yatra. Many had taken blessings by bringing horoscopes, thirumangalyam, koorai podavai (Traditional nine yards saree) and taken blessings from Sita Rama thiruvadi. Here is Sheesh Mahal. All the devotees visiting this place can also offer Kalyana Utsavam to Lord Rama and Sita. Wishing all the readers of this blog, all the great blessings and especially who has bride and groom in their family to have the marriage fixed soon. Wishing the young bride/groom to get married and live as good dhampathi's and follow the Dharma's.
We did Sita Kalyanam with Bajanai at Janakapuri. Below are snapshots of it.
The Sita Kalyanam concluded graciously along with Bhajans. After the wedding ceremony, it is time for a Virundhu/Feast and we had a great wedding feast at 4 PM. After the lunch, no one were ready to start. Everyone visited the temples and places once again in the evening. Later at 10 PM we all started our journey towards Ayodhya from Janakapuri.
Next day morning, Rama and Laksmana greeting Viswamitra and other Rishis, submit thus: “What injunction of yours we should carryout.” Then, with the nod of Viswamitra, Rishis tell them: “Janaka, King of Mithila, is about to perform a most pious sacrifice. We shall all go there. There you ought to see a marvellous bow, which no one could so far, including gods, bend it.”
Thus, Viswamitra, accompanied by Sri Rama and Laksmana and other Rishis, proceed towards Mithila to watch the bow-sacrifice of King Janaka. On the way, they break their journey on the bank of Sona at sunset. Later, crossing the Sona, they reach the bank of Ganga and spend the night there. There at the request of Rama, Viswamitra narrates him the story of the origin of Ganga. Later, on the way to Mithila, as Rama enters the hermitage of Gautama, Ahalya redeems her celestial form. She then offers hospitality to the two brothers as enunciated in the scriptures. Everyone rejoice the occasion.
Viswamitra, Rama and Laksmana and others finally reach Mithila. Nearing the hall of Vedic ritual of Janaka, Rama, expressing his praise for the arrangements made by Janaka for the ceremony, prays to Viswamitra that he may decide a cottage for them too nearby. On hearing the words of Rama, Viswamitra arranges a camp at an unfrequented place that has refreshing water.
On hearing that Viswamitra arrived at the ceremony, King Janaka, keeping his family priest, Satananda, afore, rushes to Viswamitra and receives him with all humility by offering hospitality as prescribed by the scriptures. He then submits, “You have blessed me with your arrival at my sacrificial grounds along with many sages. Permit me to continue my sacrificial vow for twelve more days. After that, you could also watch the gods who appear to receive their sacrificial offerings.” Turning to the two valiant lads who look like a pair of gods descended on earth, Janaka questions Vishwamitra as to whose sons are they. Informing them that they are the sons of Emperor Dasaratha, Viswamitra narrates the whole story thus far happened.
Hearing how Ahalya was redeemed by Sri Rama, Satananda, son of Gautama and Ahalya and rejoicing he narrates to Rama the story of Viswamitra. On hearing the glorious narration of Satananda, King Janaka praying to Viswamitra to grant him leave as it is time for him to perform religious rites, and also to be pleased to pay a visit to him the next day, returns to his palace.
Next day, Janaka calling on Viswamitra, prays to let him know if there is anything that he can do for them. Then Viswamitra apprises Janaka about the eagerness of Sri Rama and Laksmana to see his superb bow. With their desire fulfilled, the two princes will return as they would. Janaka then reveals them the glory of the bow and also tells them how he got it. He then narrates how he got Sita from the track of the ploughshare while ploughing the plot set apart for a sacrifice; how she grew up as his daughter; the rulers of the land approaching him suing for his Sita; his bringing out the bow of Lord Siva and asking the princes to prove their valour by stringing it; and none were being able to toss it even; his rejection of them; angered by his rejection, all those kings inflicting sufferings on his city; his praying the gods and as they pleased with his prayers their granting him an army complete in all four limbs and with it his driving away of the villainous kings from his capital.
“I shall now show that splendid bow to Sri Rama and Laksmana as well.” He also says, “if Rama strings this bow, I promise to give away my daughter, Sita, to the son of Dasaratha.” Hearing the narration of Janaka, Viswamitra then asks him to show the bow to Rama. Janaka then orders his ministers: “Let the heavenly bow, adorned sandalwood paste and garlands, be brought here.”
As commanded, his ministers coming back with an eight-wheeled coffer in which the bow of Shiva is ensconced, tugged by five thousand tall men of illimitable energy who could somehow tug it in, announce: “Oh king and sovereign of Mithila, here is the select bow” Listening to his ministers, Janaka then submits to Viswamitra and to both Rama and Laksmana too thus: “Here is that exquisite bow, Oh, Brahman, which is held as a time-honored bow by the lineage of Janaka kings… Oh, eminent-saint, such as it is... let this be displayed to those two princes... “As prayed for by Janaka, Viswamitra then says to Sri Rama, “vatsa rāma dhanuḥ paśhya—Child Rama, behold the bow!”
Rama, opening the chest in which the bow is placed, and beholding the bow forthwith, says:
idam dhanurvaram brahman samsprishaami iha paaninaa
yatnavaan ca bhavishyaami tolane puurane api vaa
“bāḍham—Amen!” said the king and the sage. As every one is watching, Sri Rama playfully seizes the bow at the middle, sets the string to the bow and as he bends it, lo! making a loud noise, it breaks into two at the middle.
Feeling relieved, Janaka submits to Viswamitra thus: “I have witnessed the prowess of the son of Dasaratha.. his feat is marvellous, inconceivable, and was never thought of by me. My pledge that Sita can be won only through valuor stands redeemed today. My daughter, Sita who is dearer to me, remains to be given away. With your permission, I will send my counselors to Ayodhya to bring the Emperor to Mithila.”
Accordingly, Janaka’s counselors, on reaching Ayodhya, inform Dasaratha how Sri Rama broke the bow of Janaka and won the hand of Sita, his daughter. They also convey him their master’s message sent with the consent of sage Viswamitra thus: “O illustrious King, by exhibiting his valuor, your worthy son has decisively won my celebrated daughter. I have to now redeem my pledge by giving away Sita to that exalted soul. Be pleased to sanction it. Accompanied by your preceptor and your family priest, O King, come soon and bring my pledge to completion.”
Dasaratha is delighted to hear the news. He then, taking the consent of sage Vasistha and Vamadeva as well as his counselors, proceeds to Mithila for the wedding. They are received with signal honour by Janaka and his people and are lodged comfortably.
Later, at the instance of Dasaratha, Vasistha glorifies the race of Ikswaku at the Janaka’s palace. Recounting his own pedigree, Janaka offers the hand of his two daughters, Sita and Urmila to SriRama and Laksmana, respectively.
Vasistha and Viswamitra jointly ask for the hand of the two daughters of Kusadhwaja, brother of King Janaka, in favour of Bharata and Satrughna and Janaka acquiesces the proposal. Then Janaka submits to sage Vasistha thus: “kārayasva ṛṣhe sarvān ṛṣhibhiḥ saha dhārmika / rāmasya loka rāmasya kriyām vaivāhikīm prabho — O pious seer, along with the other sages, conduct the nuptial ceremony of Sri Rama, the delight of the world, my lord!”
Saying, “Amen” to Janaka, Vasistha, placing Viswamitra and Satananda at his head, prepares a sacrificial alter at the center of the pavilion according to scriptural ordinance, and gets it decorated on all sides with sandal paste and flowers.
After that, duly escorting Sita, adorned with all the jewels and having comfortably seated her before the sacred fire opposite to Sri Rama, Janaka then says: “…iyam sītā mama sutā saha dharma charī tava / pratīchchha cha enām bhadram te pāṇim gṛhṇīṣhva pāṇinā (I.73. 25, 26)—This Sita, my daughter, is going to be your helpmate in discharging your sacred obligations. Take her hand in your own and accept her. May god betide you! She will remain exclusively devoted to you. She will ever follow you as a shadow.” Saying so, Janaka forthwith pours water through his hand into Rama’s hand, consecrating the kanyadan—giving away of his daughter to Rama as his wife—by the recitation of mantras.
Following Rama’s kalyan, Janaka invites Laksmana to accept Urmila, Bharata the hand of Mandavi, and Satrughna the hand of Srutakirti as wife and be married.
Hearing the request of Janaka all the four princes grasping the hands of the four princess, going clock-wise round the sacrificial fire, the altar, as well as round Janaka and the sages, go through the rest of the rituals of marriage.
Next day, taking leave of Janaka, Dasaradha leaves for Ayodhya along with his sons and their newly-wedded brides.
Sheesh Mahal (The Palace of Mirrors):
Kalyana Mandapam known as Sheesh Mahal (Vivah Mandap) is situated near Janaki Mandir. Here Sita, Rama are seen in the form of Kalyana Thirukolam seated along with Dasaratha and his queens, Janaka and his queen. Marriage officiated by Vasishta, Vishvamitra, Satananda. Sita Rama Kalyana episode was recited by us at this place. Outside the mandap, on 4 sides, we can find separate sannidhis for Sita-Rama, Mandavi-Bharata, Urmila-Lakshmana and Srutakeerthi-Shatruguna.
The Yatri's who joined us in this yatra had many marriages fixed in their family after the Ram Anu yatra. Many had taken blessings by bringing horoscopes, thirumangalyam, koorai podavai (Traditional nine yards saree) and taken blessings from Sita Rama thiruvadi. Here is Sheesh Mahal. All the devotees visiting this place can also offer Kalyana Utsavam to Lord Rama and Sita. Wishing all the readers of this blog, all the great blessings and especially who has bride and groom in their family to have the marriage fixed soon. Wishing the young bride/groom to get married and live as good dhampathi's and follow the Dharma's.
We did Sita Kalyanam with Bajanai at Janakapuri. Below are snapshots of it.
The Sita Kalyanam concluded graciously along with Bhajans. After the wedding ceremony, it is time for a Virundhu/Feast and we had a great wedding feast at 4 PM. After the lunch, no one were ready to start. Everyone visited the temples and places once again in the evening. Later at 10 PM we all started our journey towards Ayodhya from Janakapuri.
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