Janaka Builds Bridges and Celestial Resting Places

मंगल सगुन सुगम सब ताकें। सगुन ब्रह्म सुंदर सुत जाकें।। राम सरिस बरु दुलहिनि सीता। समधी दसरथु जनकु पुनीता।। सुनि अस ब्याहु सगुन सब नाचे। अब कीन्हे बिरंचि हम साँचे।। एहि बिधि कीन्ह बरात पयाना। हय गय गाजहिं हने निसाना।। आवत जानि भानुकुल केतू। सरितन्हि जनक बँधाए सेतू।। बीच बीच बर बास बनाए। सुरपुर सरिस संपदा छाए।। असन सयन बर बसन सुहाए। पावहिं सब निज निज मन भाए।। नित नूतन सुख लखि अनुकूले। सकल बरातिन्ह मंदिर भूले।।

All auspicious signs come easily to one whose son is the beautiful Saguna Brahman Himself. Rama is the bridegroom and Sita the bride; the pure Dasharatha and Janaka are each other's co-father. Hearing of such a marriage, every omen danced with joy, crying, 'Now the Creator has made us real!' In this fashion the wedding procession set forth. Horses and elephants trumpeted as kettledrums thundered. Knowing that the banner of the Sun dynasty was approaching, King Janaka had bridges built across the rivers. At every stage he arranged fine resting places, adorned with splendor rivaling the cities of the gods. Delicious food, comfortable beds, and beautiful garments were given freely; everyone received whatever delighted their heart. Beholding such ever-new and favoring joys, all the wedding guests forgot their very homes.