Janaka's Wisdom Shines through His Love for Sita and Rama
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 277
Doha 277 · Movement 1 of 2
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Janaka's knowledge is a sun that destroys the night of worldly becoming, and his words are rays beneath which the lotus hearts of sages open. Delusion and possessiveness cannot approach such discernment. His grief therefore reveals no fall from wisdom. It reveals the greatness of his love for Sita and Rama.
The Vedas may distinguish the worldly, the seeker, and the accomplished, yet the assembly of saints gives highest honor to the heart made tender by Rama's love. Knowledge without that love cannot shine, just as a vessel on deep water cannot reach its course without a helmsman.
The sages counsel Janaka, and the people bathe at Ramaghat. Still, sorrow fills every man and woman, and the whole day passes without food or water. Even birds, beasts, and deer refuse to eat. If the forest creatures fast in sympathy, words cannot measure the grief of those who call Sita and Rama their own.
Janaka's tears do not dim wisdom; they reveal the love without which even perfect knowledge would drift like an unpiloted boat.
Read the passage from the Manas
जासु ग्यानु रबि भव निसि नासा। बचन किरन मुनि कमल बिकासा।। तेहि कि मोह ममता निअराई। यह सिय राम सनेह बड़ाई।। बिषई साधक सिद्ध सयाने। त्रिबिध जीव जग बेद बखाने।। राम सनेह सरस मन जासू। साधु सभाँ बड़ आदर तासू।। सोह न राम पेम बिनु ग्यानू। करनधार बिनु जिमि जलजानू।। मुनि बहुबिधि बिदेहु समुझाए। रामघाट सब लोग नहाए।। सकल सोक संकुल नर नारी। सो बासरु बीतेउ बिनु बारी।। पसु खग मृगन्ह न कीन्ह अहारू। प्रिय परिजन कर कौन बिचारू।।
His knowledge is the sun that destroys the night of worldly bondage; his words are rays that cause the lotus-hearts of sages to bloom. Can delusion or attachment ever come near such a one? This is the glory of love for Sita and Rama. The Vedas speak of three kinds of souls in this world: the worldly, the seekers, and the accomplished wise. One whose heart overflows with the sweetness of Rama's love receives the highest honor in the assembly of saints. Knowledge without love for Rama has no radiance, just as a vessel upon the waters is useless without a helmsman. The sage counseled Videha (King Janaka) in many ways, and all the people bathed at Ramaghat. Every man and woman, steeped in sorrow, passed that day without touching food or water. When even birds, beasts, and deer refused to eat, what can be said of the beloved kinfolk?