Little Ramayana: Sita and Rama's wedding

Told in English, Telugu.

Long, long ago, there was a lovely city called Mithila. The king of Mithila was King Janaka, a kind and wise king.

One day, King Janaka was ploughing a field. Under the soft brown earth, he found a tiny baby girl. She was smiling up at him! The king picked her up and held her close. He named her Sita, and he loved her very, very much.

Sita grew up gentle and kind. She fed the birds. She watered the tulasi plant. She helped everyone in the palace.

Now, in King Janaka's palace there was a very special bow. It was Lord Shiva's bow. It was so big and so heavy that no one could even lift it.

When Sita grew up, King Janaka said, "Whoever can lift this bow and tie its string, he will marry my Sita."

Big bow, strong bow, who can lift the bow?

Many princes came. The first prince pushed and pushed. The bow did not move. The next prince pulled and pulled. The bow did not move. The bow stayed still, like a sleepy mountain.

Big bow, strong bow, who can lift the bow?

One day, the wise sage Vishwamitra came to Mithila. With him came two young princes from Ayodhya. One was Rama. The other was his brother, Lakshmana. Rama had a calm face and a kind smile.

King Janaka welcomed them with fruits and sweet milk. Then he showed them Shiva's bow.

Sage Vishwamitra said softly, "Rama, my child, go and try."

Rama folded his hands. He bowed to the bow, because it was Lord Shiva's bow. Then he walked up to it.

Big bow, strong bow, who can lift the bow? Can you say it with me? Big bow, strong bow, who can lift the bow?

Rama bent down. He lifted the bow, easy as lifting a flower! Everyone gasped. Then Rama pulled the string to tie it. He pulled, and pulled, and the bow bent so far that it broke in the middle, with a sound like a great big drum. Boom!

For a moment, everyone was quiet. Then everyone clapped and cheered. "Rama did it! Rama did it!"

King Janaka's eyes filled with happy tears. "Rama is the one for my Sita," he said.

Sita came forward, shy and smiling. In her hands was a garland of fresh flowers. She put the garland around Rama's neck. Rama smiled back at her. Their hearts were full of joy.

A messenger rode quickly to Ayodhya. Rama's father, King Dasharatha, came with all the family. And what a happy surprise! Rama's three brothers, Lakshmana, Bharata and Shatrughna, were married on that same happy day too.

The whole city was decorated. Mango leaves hung on every door. Rangoli shone in every courtyard. Drums played and flutes sang.

Rama and Sita sat side by side. They poured yellow rice, the talambralu, over each other's heads, and everyone laughed and blessed them.

Even today, on Sri Rama Navami, families celebrate Sita and Rama's wedding. In Bhadrachalam, and in temples and homes everywhere, people sing and pour talambralu, just like that happy day in Mithila.

So tonight, when you close your eyes, think of Rama's kind smile and Sita's flower garland. Jai Sita Ram! Jai Sita Ram!

Good night, little one.