Sita Kalyanam | Sonnet – 4 | Garden of Mithila
Posted on 12 July 2023; 03:00 PM IST. Last Updated 22 July 2023; 05:00 PM IST.Summary: This poem describes the following snippets of Ramayan - Bala kanda, as a sonnet called Garden of Mithila, which is part of Sita Kalyanam series. Mithila has a fairy tale about a bow of immense strength given by Lord Shiv to its predecessors. Scores of men are required to move it, but surprisingly princess Sita lifted it like a small stem, while playing. King of Mithila Janak, sets the norm that whoever wishes to marry princess Sita, should stretch the bow of Lord Shiv to full arms length. When Lord Ram entered Mithila, people flocked for a glimpse of Lord Ram, and felt that Raghav was specially made by creator for Sita. Lord Ram was spellbound, when he saw princess Sita in the garden of Mithila.
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Sita Kalyanam | Sonnet – 4 | Garden of Mithila
Mithila has a secret and fairy tale to tell of realm,
Shiv bestowed a bow of immense weight and strength;
Princess Sita lifted the bow like a small stem,
suitor must stretch the bow to full arm’s length.
Ram has entered Mithila as a guest of honor,
crowds have swelled for a glimpse of valiant Raghava;
Chatter broke that Ram was made for Sita by creator,
gossip was centered around the bow and agile Achyuta.
Garden of Mithila awoke to Raghav’s footprint,
all watched again and again the grace of Kausaleya;
Glimpse of Sita stopped Ram with the imprint,
neither could break the moment, which stood as a volley.
God has come as Ram to prove his kind grace,
faith is Ram as Icon, faith is God’s peace.
--- Pilla Gurumurty Patrudu.
Remarks:
The garden episode exists in Sri Tulasidas Ramayan, but not found in the original Saint Valmiki Ramayan.
Ramayan of Ramanand Sagar, Telugu movie Sita Kalyanam, "Ram ko dekhkar shri janak nandini" bhajan, greatly helped the author in writing this sonnet.
Glossary:
| Shiv (ji) | Lord Shiva; God of Gods |
| Sita | Princess of Mithila; daughter of King Janaka. |
| Achyuta | A name of Lord Vishnu, assigned to Lord Rama; Sanskrit meaning indestructible. |
| Kausaleya | Son of Kausalya; Lord Ram. |