Recall the Shaking of the Ground

“Those who sing of the auspicious occasion of the initiation and the wedding of Sita and Rama with excitement get countless auspicious blessings day after day, says Tulsi.” (Janaki Mangala, Chand 24.2)

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उपबीत ब्याह उछाह जे सिय राम मंगल गावहीं
तुलसी सकल कल्यान ते नर नारि अनुदिन पावहीं

upabīta byāha uchāha jē siya rāma maṅgala gāvahīṁ
tulasī sakala kalyāna tē nara nāri anudita pāvahīṁ

Under normal circumstances, probably not the sound you want to hear. Is it time to clear out? Does everyone have to look for the nearest shelter, as soon as possible? Are there disastrous consequences on the horizon? As the literal reward for that contest of strength, Sita Devi years later recalled the scene of the victor announcing Himself. This brought delight to devotees of the time, and the memory reverberates throughout the ages.

The scene? Tirahuta. The matter? A contest. The participants? The mightiest kings and princes from around the world. The stakes? The hand in marriage of the beloved daughter of King Janaka. The rules? Lift the bow. Just pick it up. Move it from where it currently sits. This is no ordinary bow. You can trace its lineage to Lord Shiva, who is the destroyer. Through the bow, it is like Mahadeva will witness the contest. He will vouch for the future husband of Sita. As his name literally refers to auspiciousness, Shiva will ensure that Janaka finds the appropriate match.

Why the big fuss? Why the need to invite so many people? Why make a big deal out of something that has been fixed since time immemorial? In those times, the women typically did not have a choice. The parents would arrange everything. Men could enjoy with women, but they had to do so in an honest way. They had to assume responsibility for protection and wellbeing. The women would have confidence in their direction in life. They would join with a man at a young age, start a family, and serve as the backbone of society.

The distinction here is that Sita was not ordinary. Her name refers to the unusual way in which she entered her family. Janaka was once preparing ground for a religious ceremony. While tilling the field, he found a baby girl. There was affection. Janaka did not have to think about anything except how to proceed, to maintain fidelity with proper conduct. Any doubts were soon erased, as a voice from the sky confirmed to Janaka that this baby was his daughter, in all righteousness.

अन्तरिक्षे च वागुक्ताऽप्रतिमाऽमानुषी किल
एवमेतन्नरपते धर्मेण तनया तव

antarikṣe ca vāguktāʼpratimāʼmānuṣī kila
evametannarapate dharmeṇa tanayā tava

“Then a voice, sounding like a human being, was heard from the sky which said, ‘O king, this child is rightfully your daughter.’”  (Sita Devi speaking to Anasuya, Valmiki Ramayana, Ayodhya Kand, 118.31)

A sound confirmed the link to the family, and soon another sound would confirm the link in marriage for Sita. Janaka decided on a svayamvara, which refers to “self-choice.” Sita would choose the man who could lift Lord Shiva’s bow. As if arriving right on time, just when things were looking bleak, Shri Rama from Ayodhya made an attempt. Rama only happened to be passing through the area. Rama was with His younger brother Lakshmana. The two youths were like bodyguards to the sage named Vishvamitra.

Rama not only lifted the bow, but applied string to it. In the process, the bow snapped. The sound was so incredible that it reverberated throughout the three worlds. The auspicious bow of the auspicious deva produced the most auspicious sound when held in the auspicious, lotus-like hands of the eldest son of King Dasharatha.

तेन पूरयता वेगान्मध्ये भग्नं द्विधा धनुः
तस्य शब्दो भवद्भीमः पतितस्याशनेरिव

tena pūrayatā vegānmadhye bhagnaṃ dvidhā dhanuḥ
tasya śabdo bhavadbhīmaḥ patitasyāśaneriva

“As Rama drew the bow back fully, the force He applied caused the bow to break in half. The sound that resulted was as fierce and frightening as that of a falling thunderbolt.” (Sita Devi speaking to Anasuya, Valmiki Ramayana, Ayodhya Kand, 118.49)

The events in question are immortalized in the Sanskrit poem known as the Ramayana. It has since been described by poets across the ages. There is the wonderful version in Hindi by Goswami Tulsidas. He says that the previous participants resembled monkeys trying to open a coconut. They had no idea what they were doing. It appeared as though the contest would have no winner. Therefore, Sita might remain unmarried.

This means that Rama rescued the day. He rescued the sacrifice, made good on the vow of Janaka, and united with Sita, who is actually the goddess of fortune. Lakshmi and Narayana are always together, even when seemingly apart. Devotees worship them in this way, together on the altar, the energy and the energetic.

In Closing:

Produced thunderous sound,
Caused shaking of the ground.

The winner this way declared,
Well-wishers in glory shared.

That Sita most beloved to wed,
Towards new husband led.

Who actually Narayana true,
Together always the two.