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42
 
THE RAMAYANA
 
इयं सीता मम सुता सहधर्मचरी तव ।
प्रतीच्छ चैनां भद्रं ते पाणि गृह्णीष्व पाणिना ॥
पतित्रता महाभागा छायेवानुगता सदा ।
इत्युक्तवा प्राक्षिपदाजा मन्त्रपूतं जलं तदा ॥
 
" This my daughter Sita, is thy partner
in the performance of all duties. Accept
her : Good betide thee. Hold her hand
in yours. She will be faithful, of exalt-
ed merit and ever follow thee like a
shadow."
 
Saying thus, the king poured the water
sanctified by mantras (into Rama's
hands).
 
साधु साध्विति देवानामृषीणां वदतां तदा ।
देवदुन्दुभिनिर्घोषः पुष्पवर्षो महानभूत् ॥
 
Then while the gods and the sages ex-
claimed " Excellent, Excellent" there came
the loud sounding of the celestial drums
and great showers of the flowers.
 
एवं दत्त्वा सुतां सीतां मन्त्रोदकपुरस्कृताम् ।
अब्रवीजनको राजा हर्षणाभिपरिप्लुतः ॥
 
Thus, giving away Sita with water
sanctified by mantras, the king Janaka,
overcome (flooded) with delight, spoke
thus :