Kuśa and Lava Weddings

The Vivāha Khaṇḍa of the Ānanda Rāmāyaṇa describes the weddings of Kuśa with Campikā and of Lava with Sumatī. The two brides were granddaughters of Bhūrikīrti Mahārāja. The weddings were held at Vaṭapura on the eastern sea coast, after the two svayaṃvaras (the brides’ own choosing of their husbands). They were done with full Vedic rites. Bhūrikīrti gave rich gifts, and Vasishṭha spoke about Kuśa’s future family.

The wedding ceremonies

First came the two svayaṃvaras. Campikā chose Kuśa, and Sumatī chose Lava. Then Bhūrikīrti held the wedding ceremonies at his palace in Vaṭapura, with every Vedic rite. Vasishṭha led the rites. Many purohitas (priests) and learned brāhmaṇas were present. The rites included:

  • Pāṇigrahaṇa: the groom takes the bride’s hand in front of the sacred fire.
  • Lājāhoma: the couple together offer puffed rice into the sacred fire, which seals the union before Agni as witness.
  • Maṅgala ślokas: auspicious Vedic verses recited by the brāhmaṇas throughout the ceremony.
  • Saptapadī: the seven steps taken together around the sacred fire, the binding rite of Vedic marriage.

Divine music, the blowing of conches and the sound of Vedic hymns filled the halls of the palace. A great feast was given to everyone who had come: kings, ṛshis, citizens and servants. The celebrations went on for several days, with music, dance and hospitality without a break. (Ānanda Rāmāyaṇa, Vivāha Khaṇḍa, Chapters 3 and 4)

Bhūrikīrti’s gifts

After the ceremonies and the feast, Bhūrikīrti Mahārāja honoured the husbands of his granddaughters with very rich gifts. This was a royal grandfather’s joy and blessing.

For Kuśa:

  • One lakh (100,000) elephants
  • One lakh palanquins (śibikās)
  • Five lakh (500,000) horses
  • One lakh chariots

For Lava, the same: one lakh elephants, one lakh palanquins, five lakh horses and one lakh chariots.

Besides these, jewels, garments, ornaments, gold and gifts of every kind were given to the princes, to the queens of Ayodhyā and to all the senior members of the royal party. Rāma in turn honoured Bhūrikīrti, the kings, the ṛshis and all who had come, with gifts of cloth, ornaments, vehicles and wealth. (Ānanda Rāmāyaṇa, Vivāha Khaṇḍa, Chapter 4)

Bhūrikīrti’s festivals

Bhūrikīrti was full of thanks and devotion to Bhagavān Rāma. He began a holy custom. From then on he would hold sixteen annual festivals in the year, each one in honour of Rāma and the Ikshvāku family. This kept the bond between his kingdom and the holy family of Ayodhyā for his whole life and for the lives of his descendants. (Ānanda Rāmāyaṇa, Vivāha Khaṇḍa, Chapter 4)

The return to Ayodhyā

When all the ceremonies were done and the farewells to Bhūrikīrti were over, the whole royal party boarded the Pushpaka Vimāna and flew back to Ayodhyā. The party included Rāma, his brothers, the princes, the new brides Campikā and Sumatī, the queens and the full retinue.

In Ayodhyā the women of the city welcomed them with nīrājana (the waving of lamps). There was music, there were processions, and there was great joy. The new brides were welcomed into the family of Sītā and the other queens of Ayodhyā. (Ānanda Rāmāyaṇa, Vivāha Khaṇḍa, Chapter 4)

Vasishṭha’s words about Kuśa’s line

After the weddings, Vasishṭha Maharshi told Rāma more about Kuśa’s future. Campikā, though Kuśa’s beloved wife, would have nine daughters and no sons.

The Sūryavaṃśa (the Sun dynasty) would continue through Kuśa by a second marriage. This would happen in the future, after Rāma’s mahāprasthāna (great departure) to Vaikuṇṭha. A nāgakanyā (a nāga maiden) named Kumudrā, the sister of the nāga king Kumuda, would become Kuśa’s second wife. Kumudrā would give Kuśa eight sons and one daughter named Campakamālinī. The eldest of the eight sons, Atithi, would carry the Sūryavaṃśa forward as king after Kuśa. (Ānanda Rāmāyaṇa, Vivāha Khaṇḍa, Chapter 4)

Sources

  • Ānanda Rāmāyaṇa, Vivāha Khaṇḍa, Chapters 3 and 4