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42
 
THE RAMAYANA
 
इयं सीता मम सुता सहधर्मचरी तव ।
प्रतीच्छ चैनां भद्रं ते पाणि गृह्णीष्व पाणिना ॥
पतिव्रता महाभागा छायेवानुगता सदा ॥
इत्युक्त्वा प्राक्षिपद्वाजा 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 exalted
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
exclaimed "Excellent, Excellent" there
occurred the loud sounding of the celestial
drums and great showers of flowers.
 
एवं दत्वा सुतां सीतां मन्त्रोदकपुरस्कृताम् ।
अब्रवीज्जनको राजा हर्षेणाभिपरिप्लुतः ॥
Thus, giving away Sita with water
sanctified by mantras, the king Janaka,
overcome (flooded) with delight, said thus :