The Giver of the Worn Garland KRISHNADEVARAYA'S AMUKTAMALYADA by SRINIVAS REDDY

Author:SRINIVAS REDDY
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780143064466
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Published: 2010-08-25T04:00:00+00:00

THE WEDDING

VI.116

The Lord of Śrīraṅgam sent Brahma and Sarasvati

and Siva and Parvati, in the company of his general

to ask for Goda’s hand in marriage.

And when Viṣṇucitta saw them all coming,

he was overwhelmed with excitement.

VI.117

With Viśvaksena at their head, the gods approached humbly and were treated to every hospitality. Once they were all seated, Viṣṇucitta asked about their coming. They replied, and his heart was filled with a rush of joy.

VI.118

‘O Viśvaksena, Śiva and Brahma!

By asking for my daughter on his behalf

you’ve made me a proud man.

A tradition was born

when honourable Bhṛgu gave away his daughter Śrī

who was born from the Ocean of Milk.

If that was right, then there’s no injustice here.

VI.119

Please listen. Let us make this a proper union.

Easy-going people might say he carried her off.

If he agrees to come to our village,

I’ll happily give away my daughter.

VI.120

His great lordship makes him the Ultimate Sovereign.

That God Born in the Line of Śūra

who has humble subjects at his feet

will surely grant this simple favour for his future father-in-law.

For it is he who creates the costumes that we wear,

and though our roles may be great, his play is greater!’

VI.121

Then the gods left to petition the Lord of the World

whose heart was soaked in a flood of compassion

as he mounted his great vehicle the King of Birds.

Then Brahma and all the other gods climbed onto their mounts, surrounded him, and set out singing songs of praise.

VI.122

Viśvaksena, Beloved of Sūtravati, stood before his troops

aligned on the highway of stars.

Celestial elders held decorative swords and thunderbolts,

their blinding brilliance spreading in every direction

like a hundred million shining suns.

* * *

VI.123

The wedding party proceeded to Śrī Viliputtur. And on the way, they stopped at perfectly spaced guesthouses made out of jewels, built by Viśvakarma, master craftsman of the gods.

The handsome groom was in front, accompanied by heavenly nymphs bathed in turmeric and adorned with precious ornaments. He was flanked by ancient seers chanting prayers, and a celestial orchestra conducted by Nārada. Water Bearers created a faint drizzle, white like titanium, and streamed down an ablution of nectar, revealing the Kaustubha Gem like a ruby pendant in his pearl necklace.

Viṣṇu’s neck was white like a conch shell and he was adorned with two golden epaulets and a wedding bracelet. He was a living ornament, decked with two crocodile earrings and a ceremonial crown.

He was smeared with holy paste and anointed with perfumed oil. He was draped in robes of golden yellow and across his chest hung a garland made of tulasi leaves and flowers from the Trees of Heaven. This is how the bridegroom looked, just before he stepped foot in the door.

Viṣṇucitta was joyous, and he humbly welcomed the Lord into his home.

* * *

VI.124

Pārvati and Sarasvati led the ten million women of heaven

in singing happy songs

about the splendour of Sīta and Rāma’s wedding.

VI.125

Affectionately, Ekāvaḷi and Sragviṇi fanned her

from both sides with yaktail fans.

Earlier, the wives of the Seven Sages

gently smeared her with turmeric paste

and blessed her as they made her into a bride.

VI.126

The marriage rites were conducted according to tradition.

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