Swayamvar Seeteche

 

It was pin drop silence when I woke up this morning at 4 am. As I was getting ready to put the paste on my toothbrush I started hearing light tapping sounds on the skylight( roof). Lo and behold it was starting to rain! For the good part of the past week watching pictures of monsoon clouds and reading reports of rain from India my heart was longing to be in my hometown of Khopoli which literally turns into paradise during the monsoons. So to hear the sound of rain here brought joy that I can’t express in words.

I hurriedly brushed my teeth and went into the yard to enjoy the heavenly shower.

The musical tapping had picked speed. It had stirred up the fragrance from the soil. As if a stampede up there , the clouds were gathering and dispersing from one side to other rapidly, offering quick glimpses of stars during this movement. And then , what was that ? A streak of lightning flashed right in front of me. And a few seconds later, it did that again. A few minutes later there came a roar. Thunder had joined the party. 

I got ready and excitedly got into the car for the drive to work. Rain is such a precious commodity in California that driving in the rain is a moment of celebration. There was daylight outside when I got onto the road. The sun was just about to rise but the eastern horizon was cloudy. I could see the red color ripening between the mountains and the clouds. Even some clouds on the south and west were getting tainted with the red. The lightning show continued.

A thought crossed my mind ! The Earth is getting married to the Sky! With full band baajaa baaraat! 

Next came to mind the lines from Geet Ramayan. Ga Di Madgulkar’s description of Seeta Swayamvar

suddenly became relevant in the present moment.

आकाशाशीं जडलें नातें धरणीमातेचें
स्वयंवर झालें सीतेचे

The Sky entered into a relationship with Mother Earth. Thus happened Seeta’s swayamvar!

Further in that poem he goes on to describe the ceremony in details.
नीलाकाशीं जशी भरावी उषःप्रभा लाल
तसेंच भरले रामांगी मधु नूपुरस्वरताल
सभामंडपी मीलन झालें माया-ब्रम्हाचे

As if the blue sky were to be infused with red color from dawn

Similarly Ram’s entire being was filled with the sweetness of the rhythmic chiming of bells from ( Seeta’s) anklets (as she walked in).

In that arena everyone witnessed the Union of The Supreme Lord( Brahman) and his Maya.

झुकले थोडे राम, जानकी घाली वरमाला
गगनामाजीं देव करांनी करिती करताला
त्यांच्या कानीं गजर पोंचले मंगल वाद्यांचे

Ram lowered his head slightly so Janaki( Seeta) could place the garland around his neck.

Watching from the skies the Gods cheered with clapping of their hands.

The loud music played on the auspicious occasion reached that far to their ears.

The entire experience today felt akin to this grand ceremony. What a blessed day ! 

Saree is quite contrastingly humble. A cotton Begumpuri in black with red and white threadwork . Had I known what a glorious occasion I’m headed for I would have dressed more appropriately.