The Wedding

Janaka’s ambassador reached Ayodhya after traveling four days and nights and delivered the message of their king to Dashratha:

‘Our Lordship, King Janaka who had vowed to give his daughter Seeta in marriage to the most valiant of all kings, is glad to say that your son Rama, led by sage Vishvamitra, proved himself worthy of Seeta. In keeping with his vow, King Janaka will give his daughter in marriage to Rama. King Janaka asks for King Dasharatha’s consent to the marriage of Rama and Seeta. Your Highness may be gracious enough to come to Mithila with his mentor and preceptor and see his sons Rama and Laxman. This message is being delivered to his highness by the order of Vishvamitra and with the consent of Shatananda.’ 

There was a wave of excitement with no time to lose. The army was summoned. Carriages were kept ready. Ministers, Preceptor and the priests sat in the leading chariots. Dashratha sat in the royal chariot. The queens stayed behind in Ayodhya.

The things had happened so fast that neither the king nor the queens had any time to think and plan ahead.

The capital city Mithila was witnessing an unprecedented union of two kingdoms. Vishvamitra’s astute statesmanship was bearing a good result. It was decided to perform the wedding ceremony after the completion of the sacrifice. In fact, there were two weddings, because Urmila was going to wed Laxman.

The events in Mithila were assuming a diplomatic significance now. Vishvamitra’s statesmanship was there behind all these rapid developments. Janaka’s might and military prowess were well known, but unless provoked, Janaka would not engage in war. Janaka was also aware now of the far-reaching consequences of this alliance. Not very far back, a neighboring king who had taken offence at being rejected as a suitor of Seeta, had attacked Ayodhya. Janaka had killed him in the battle that ensued and thereafter Janaka’s younger brother Kushadhwaja was crowned as king of the enemy’s kingdom. Later all the rejected suitors had held Mithila under a siege. Now the news of two great princes being present at Mithila was enough to keep the enemies at bay, but nothing could be taken for granted during the forthcoming weddings.

After travelling for four days and nights, Dasharatha arrived with his retinue in Mithila. Janaka addressed him thus:”I am greatly honored; it’s my good fortune that has brought the great king of the Raghu dynasty here, along with his distinguished preceptor Vasishtha. My own kingdom is blessed and  further strengthened by this alliance. Now I want your Highness to grace the valediction of the sacrificial ceremony bt his presence and thereafter perform the ceremony of the marriage of Rama and Seeta. This is what I propose. Your Highness may express his thoughts on my proposal.”

Dashratha looked at Vasishtha and Vishvamitra. The entire thing was not without a political tinge. Vishvamitra’s political acumen was neatly putting everything in place. The princes were in Vishvamitra’s care now. Dashratha was being rushed from one predicament into another. His wives were far away in Ayodhya. He had deliberately traveled all the way to Mithila without the women of the family because he knew the political significance of what was happening now.

Vishvamitra and Vasishtha saw Dashratha’s procrastination. Vishvamitra said,”Rama has fulfilled the difficult condition laid down by Janaka. It was no ordinary feat. This is the most auspicious sign for Rama’s future. Rama is entering upon a new phase of his mission. This alliance is willed by the powers above.”

Dashratha turned to Janaka and said, “I consider myself fortunate that the two kingdoms are going to unite in alliance thus. You are the host. We will abide by the arrangements you make for the marriage ceremony.”

Janaka was satisfied. He immediately ordered his ministers to make arrangements for the marriage while he got busy attending to his royal guests..