Bhūrikīrti
Bhūrikīrti Mahārāja is the king of an eastern coastal realm. His capital is Vaṭapura, on the shore of the sea. It lies about twenty days’ journey east of Ayodhyā, beyond the river Bhāgīrathī.
He is the grandfather of Campikā and Sumatī, who became the brides of Kuśa and Lava. He hosted both svayaṃvaras (ceremonies where a bride chooses her husband) and the weddings that followed, with great hospitality and rich gifts. After the weddings he began a custom of sixteen yearly festivals in honour of Bhagavān Rāma.
Kingdom and character
His name means “one of great fame” (bhūri-kīrti: wide glory). He ruled a large realm at the far eastern edge of Bhāratavarsha. His capital Vaṭapura stood on the sea coast.
The Ānanda Rāmāyaṇa presents him in the Vivāha Khaṇḍa as a devoted supporter of Rāma-rājya (the rule of Bhagavān Rāma). He wished to join his family to the Ikshvāku line through the marriages of his granddaughters. His invitation to Bhagavān Rāma for the svayaṃvaras was itself an act of devotion.
Hosting the svayaṃvaras
Campikā and Sumatī, his two granddaughters, came of age for their svayaṃvaras. Bhūrikīrti sent a formal invitation to Ayodhyā. He asked Bhagavān Rāma to come with his sons and brothers. Bhagavān Rāma accepted, and a large royal company made the twenty-day journey to Vaṭapura.
Bhūrikīrti received Bhagavān Rāma with every royal honour. He arranged fitting residences and hospitality for the whole party. He presided over the two svayaṃvaras and the wedding ceremonies after them with great generosity.
Kings from all seven dvīpas (the seven great islands or continents) had come for the svayaṃvaras. They were his guests too. Bhūrikīrti managed the whole occasion with the ease of a skilled and generous host.
Gifts at the wedding
After the weddings of Campikā with Kuśa and of Sumatī with Lava, Bhūrikīrti gave very large gifts to his granddaughters’ husbands. Kuśa and Lava each received:
- one lakh (100,000) elephants
- one lakh palanquins (śibikā)
- five lakh horses
- one lakh chariots
- jewels, ornaments, garments and gifts of every kind
He also honoured Bhagavān Rāma, Sītā, the queens, and all the assembled ṛshis and kings with fitting gifts.
The sixteen yearly festivals
After the wedding party went back to Ayodhyā, Bhūrikīrti began a lasting devotional custom. He resolved to hold sixteen festivals each year in honour of Bhagavān Rāma. Each festival celebrated the glory of Bhagavān Rāma. This custom of sixteen festivals in his kingdom remained a lasting sign of his devotion and of his family’s bond with Rāma-rājya.
Sources
- Ānanda Rāmāyaṇa, Vivāha Khaṇḍa, Chapters 1–4