Ramayana Condensed in the Poet's Own Words /60

42
 
THE RAMAYANA
 
इयं सीता मम सुता सहधर्मचरी तव ।

प्रतीच्छ चैनां भद्रं ते पाणिणिं गृह्णीष्व पाणिना ॥

पतित्व्रता महाभागा छायेवानुगता सदा ।

इत्युक्तवा प्राक्षिपदाद्राजा 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

the loud sounding of the celestial drums
and great showers of the flowers.
 

 
एवं दत्त्वा सुतां सीतां मन्त्रोदकपुरस्कृताम् ।

अब्रवीजनको राजा हर्षषेणाभिपरिप्लुतः ॥
 

Thus, giving away Sita with water

sanctified by mantras, the king Janaka,

overcome (flooded) with delight, spoke

thus :