Doha 41

The fascinating story of Sītā’s self-choice of bridegroom (Swayaṁbara) is the delightful charm surrounding the river. The numerous pertinent questions are the boats on the river, while the judicious replies to the same are the skilled boatmen. (1) The conversation that follows the narration of the story is the multitude of travellers moving along the river banks. The wrath of Paraśurāma (the Lord of Bhṛgus) represents the furious current of this river; while Śrī Rāma’s soft words are the strongly built Ghāṭas on the banks. (2) The festivities connected with the wedding of Śrī Rāma and His younger brothers represent the graceful swell in the river, which is a source of delight to all. Those who rejoice and experience a thrill of joy in narrating or hearing the story are the lucky souls who take an exhilarating dip in the river. (3) The auspicious preparations that were gone through in connection with the installation of Śrī Rāma as the Yuvarāja (Prince-Regent) represent, as it were, the crowds of bathers assembled at the river bank on a sacred occasion. Kaikeyī’s evil design represents the moss on the bank, which brought a serious calamity in its wake. (4)

The story of Bharata, which wards off all innumerable calamities, is a congregational muttering of sacred formulae carried on at the river bank; while the references to the corruptions (sins) of the Kali age and to the evil propensities of wicked people represent the scum on the water as well as the herons and crows living by the riverside. (41)