chapter 2

The wheel of time does not stop for anyone. Like a wheel, it moves with the happiness and sorrow of man.

Today, when I was called from Mithila or if I received the message of the messenger, I became agitated. The hands and feet are leaving the body, the drops on forehead have settled, the lips quivered, the tongue was eager to speak but was unable to answer. I could not believe that the princes whom I had sent with the sage, today they were bound in such a sacred bond which they had to fulfill for life, there was gaiety all around, after so many days the desire to see the pieces of their heart was shaking. What an irony that the sons for whom preparations had to be made to come after taking education, but now there was also the joy of the arrival of daughters-in-law.

It can be termed as love marriage in Kali Yuga where young children were getting married to their liking.

Drums were being played, songs were being sung, the whole city was decorated like a bride. The townspeople did not want to leave any lack in their beauty. Mothers became young and engaged in their makeup, did not want to leave any stone unturned to show themselves young. Birds were chirping, cuckoos were singing in a melodious voice, peacocks were also delighting the atmosphere with the voice of

"Pihu Pihu."

King Dasharatha was discussing with his minister Sumantra. He didn't want any shortcomings. The procession started with singing.

The king smiled, seeing his smile, Sumantra ji asked

"What is the purpose of this smile, Rajan?"

There was a serious look on the king's face. the king said

"Think for yourself, Minister, the king whose sons have not done any good, no omen of any kind has been made, mothers have not sung with their own hands, have not sung any auspicious song, in which the bridegroom is not there. If yes, how do you feel…"

Listening to the king, Sumantra ji said

"Rajan calls this the law of law. Don't be too sorry"

The king looked at the minister calmly and laughed softly with a smile of innocence.

Janakpuri was getting closer, the heart started pounding, the water was flowing from the eyes of King Dasharatha with joy. His romance was brimming, he was eager to see the pieces of his heart.

All the four girls were mesmerized in their own way. Sita had lost her senses since then when she saw Rama. Vaidehi had chosen her own path, but Mandvi, Urmila, Shrutkirti started making fun of each other.

All three were teasing each other by taking the names of Bharat, Lakshmana and Shatrughna. All three were unable to decide which prince is suitable for whom.

Standing in the upper corridor of the palace, she was looking at the princes and was deciding her grooms on her own. Sometimes Bharat was pleasing to his mind, sometimes Lakshman was tempted with a sharp chitwan(beauty), sometimes Shatrughan looked like a smirk of childhood.

But all the three were unable to say the restlessness of their respective minds. I was trying to get something in my mind. Suddenly the eyes of the three princes fell on the three succulents standing above in the palace. The trio looked at the three princes with an inconceivable sight, whose gaze stopped there, as if moonlight had met with the moon. Everyone has got their hearts and minds. Even the echo of the clarinet could not distract their attention, suddenly Sita came and broke the mausoleum of all three and started smiling softly. The faces of all three were filled with pink hue, eyes bowed down.

When the four princesses reach the makeup room, they see the face hidden in their hands in the mirror, then they see the face of their beloved.

Drums were playing, the king and queen were welcoming the guests. The beauty of the palace was worth seeing, every corner of the palace was smelling of flowers. The four princesses were looking like nymphs, their parents were getting happy seeing their cheerful faces, but suddenly the lines of concern emerged on the face of King Janak. Don't let the pandal(where guest gathered before event ) full of Kings and Maharajas become the reason for their helplessness. The four princes were also registering their presence with their gurus. The townspeople were considering themselves blessed seeing their beauty and softness. All four were not aware of the invitation given to the father.

Swayamvar(where girls have right to chose their groom) had started, all the kings, princes, townspeople, princesses and all the workers took their places. The Swayamvara had begun, the restlessness of all the kings, princes and princesses was increasing, the mind was restless, neither body nor mind had stagnation. The great kings were engaged in fulfilling the promise of King Janak, but no one could lift it with the arrogance of the bow. Lord Shiva's Dhanush(longbow) was determined that Janakpuri should not be without Sita. He also did not accept separation from Vaidehi, so that the tears should not flow, he had kept that place tightly.

The mighty kings and princes could not pacify him, King Janak and his wife were getting worried, but the hearts of the four princesses including Sita were shaking.

When all the kings were defeated, then Guru Vishwamitra asked King Janak for the permission of Rama to lift the bow, King Janak, seeing Rama's innocent face and soft body, stabilized his speech. Understanding Janak's intention, Vishwamitra asked Rama to lift the bow and offer it. As soon as Rama stood up, Sita also stood up and prayed with tears in her eyes closing the eyes of her aaradhya(adorable) mother Parvati.

"O mother, now you are my shame."