Janaka Sends Four Hidden Eyes toward Ayodhya
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 271
Doha 271 · Movement 1 of 2
Keep this contemplation
Preserve, print, or share
News of Dasharatha's fate and Rama's exile sweeps through Mithila. Sorrow seizes Janaka's house and people so visibly that the very name Videha, the one beyond bodily attachment, seems impossible before their grief. The king hears of Kaikeyi's action and loses clarity like a serpent deprived of the jewel upon its hood.
The report that Bharata will rule while Rama lives in the forest pierces him. He gathers wise ministers and counsellors, asking what conduct is now proper. Yet Ayodhya's confusion reaches even their discernment. No one can decide whether Mithila should go or remain.
Janaka steadies his heart and chooses knowledge before action. Four clever spies leave quietly for Ayodhya with one charge: discover Bharata's true disposition, noble or crooked, by observing his conduct, and return swiftly without being recognized. Before moving a kingdom, Janaka seeks the truth of the heart on which its future appears to rest.
Unable to judge Bharata through rumor, Janaka sends four unseen witnesses to read the truth written in his conduct.
Read the passage from the Manas
कोसलपति गति सुनि जनकौरा। भे सब लोक सोक बस बौरा।। जेहिं देखे तेहि समय बिदेहू। नामु सत्य अस लाग न केहू।। रानि कुचालि सुनत नरपालहि। सूझ न कछु जस मनि बिनु ब्यालहि।। भरत राज रघुबर बनबासू। भा मिथिलेसहि हृदयँ हराँसू।। नृप बूझे बुध सचिव समाजू। कहहु बिचारि उचित का आजू।। समुझि अवध असमंजस दोऊ। चलिअ कि रहिअ न कह कछु कोऊ।। नृपहि धीर धरि हृदयँ बिचारी। पठए अवध चतुर चर चारी।। बूझि भरत सति भाउ कुभाऊ। आएहु बेगि न होइ लखाऊ।।
Hearing the fate of the lord of Kosal, Janak's daughter was overwhelmed, and all the people were driven to distraction by grief. Whoever beheld Videh's daughter at that hour could not believe her name 'Videhee' (the bodiless one) held any truth, so visibly did sorrow possess her body. Hearing of the queen's treachery, the king could see nothing clearly, like a serpent robbed of the jewel upon its hood. That Bharat should reign and Raghubar go to the forest: this news pierced the heart of Mithilaa's lord with anguish. The king asked his wise ministers and counsellors, 'Consider carefully and tell me what is proper to do now.' Weighing the confusion surrounding Ayodhya, no one could say whether to go or to stay. Steadying his heart and thinking deeply, the king sent four clever spies to Ayodhya. 'Learn the truth of Bharat's disposition, whether it is noble or base, and return swiftly without being discovered.'