131-132. The clan’s Guru (moral preceptor) and the deities (or Gods) were
worshipped. Then the ritualistic pitcher and the grinding-stone were worshipped
during that auspicious moment.
After that, the rituals of ‘offering of the rice flakes’, the ‘Homa’ and the
‘Bhanwari’ were completed. (131)
Thereafter, red vermillion powder was put on the forehead of the bride, the
‘tying the knot’ ceremony was completed, and the ‘Dhruva star’ (the polar star) was
seen.
Then everybody observed that ‘the marriage ceremony is complete and all of
us have got the benefit or fruit of taking birth.^1 ’ (132)
[Note :- (i) The ‘offering of puffed rice flakes’ involves a ritual wherein the bride’s
brother fills the lap of his sister with rice flakes.
(ii) The ‘Homa’ is the worship of the sacrificial fire.
(iii) ‘Bhanwari’ is the ritual wherein the couple moves around the sacrificial fire
seven times, making the marriage vows.
(iv) The vermillion powder is applied on the head of the bride by the groom as an
auspicious sign that he is accepting her as his wife. The lady applies this powder daily
on her head after her bath etc. throughout her life.
(v) The Polar Star is seen in a ritual that implies that the bond between the two
persons getting married will be as steady and stable as the North Star which remains
in its position throughout the year. The Polar Star is the only celestial body that does
not change its position, so the other idea is to make it a witness to this bond between
the husband and the wife.
(^1) Refer: Ram Charit Manas, Baal Kand, Chaupai line no. 6 that precedes Doha no.
101.]
is[ksm tue Qyq Hkk fcckg mNkg mexfg nl fnlkA
uhlku xku çlwr >fj rqylh lqgkofu lks fulkAA
nkbt clu efu /ksuq /ku g; x; lqlsod lsodhA
nhUgha eqfnr fxfjjkt ts fxfjtfg fivkjh iso dhAA15AA
pēkhē'u janama phalu bhā bibāha uchāha umagahi dasa disā.
nīsāna gāna prasūta jhari tulasī suhāvani sō nisā.
dā'ija basana mani dhēnu dhana haya gaya susēvaka sēvakī.
dīnhīṁ mudita girirāja jē girijahi pi'ārī pēva kī. 15.
Chanda 15. In this manner, everyone obtained the rewards of their lives. The marriage
was completed and exhilaration surged in all the ten directions (i.e. in all the parts of
the world, the terrestrial as well as the heavenly worlds)^1.
Tulsidas says that the night became very pleasant and most charming due to
the tumultuous and joyous beating of musicals drums, singing of celebratory songs
and raining of flowers.
Whatever was dear to Girija (Parvati)—such as clothes/garments,
gems/jewels, cows/other pet animals, wealth/treasures, elephants and horses, male and
female attendants and other servants etc.—all of them were given most lovingly by
Giriraj (father of Parvati) as marriage gift (dowry) to her^2. (15)
[Note—^1 Refer: Ram Charit Manas, Baal Kand, Chaupai line no. 6 that precedes Doha
no. 101.
(^2) Refer: Ram Charit Manas, Baal Kand, Chaupai line nos. 7-8 that precedes Doha no.
101.]