When I think of Rama as a పెళ్ళికొడుకు (bridegroom), I see a shy, reserved boy.

Until then, he was the baby whose temples had been kissed by Kausalya, and the boy who toddled over to Dasharatha immediately upon being called.

He'd grown up in a blink, into a valorous Prince who could finish off entire armies of rakshasas. And yet, he found his own heart conquered by the mysterious girl who lifted the mighty bow of Shiva as though it were a mere garland of flowers, when a hundred warriors other could not manage to merely even move it.

As a child I never wondered why it is that in my part of the country, we celebrated Rama's wedding to Sita on Sri Rama Navami, when in reality it was his birthday. It seemed like the most natural thing ever. The question only arose when I grew up a little…

And then I realised, he probably does not want to be remembered by the moment he entered our world, but by the day his world became complete.

By meeting the love of his life.

And yet, he hesitates to look up at her. 

Why are you so shy, Rama?

Listen to your Sri Sauri Sakhi, and lift your eyes. 

The daughter of the Earth, she whose beauty exceeds that of a thousand moons, awaits your glance.