The Sages Restore Dharma beneath the Banyan
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 278
Doha 278 · Movement 1 of 2
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Learned brahmins from Dasharatha's city sit beside those of Mithila. The family guides of the solar line and Janaka's priests, men who have searched the path of highest welfare, begin to speak of dharma, wise governance, detachment, and discernment.
Vishvamitra unfolds ancient stories until his eloquence brings light back into the gathering. Then Rama reminds him that everyone passed the previous day without water. The sage agrees that Rama's concern is fitting, for two and a half watches of the new day have already gone.
Janaka perceives the sages' intent and says that grain or cooked food is not proper in that place. His judgment pleases the whole assembly. With permission received, everyone rises and goes again to bathe. Grief has not vanished, but sacred order begins to shape its next movement.
Through teaching, remembrance, and Rama's care for the fasting people, the broken assembly slowly returns to the measured path of dharma.
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जे महिसुर दसरथ पुर बासी। जे मिथिलापति नगर निवासी।। हंस बंस गुर जनक पुरोधा। जिन्ह जग मगु परमारथु सोधा।। लगे कहन उपदेस अनेका। सहित धरम नय बिरति बिबेका।। कौसिक कहि कहि कथा पुरानीं। समुझाई सब सभा सुबानीं।। तब रघुनाथ कोसिकहि कहेऊ। नाथ कालि जल बिनु सबु रहेऊ।। मुनि कह उचित कहत रघुराई। गयउ बीति दिन पहर अढ़ाई।। रिषि रुख लखि कह तेरहुतिराजू। इहाँ उचित नहिं असन अनाजू।। कहा भूप भल सबहि सोहाना। पाइ रजायसु चले नहाना।।
The learned sages dwelling in Dasharatha's city and those residing in Mithila, the capital of King Janaka, gathered together. The family priests of the solar dynasty and Janaka's spiritual guides, who had discovered the supreme path of true welfare, were all present. They began offering many teachings filled with dharma (righteousness), wisdom, detachment, and discernment. Sage Kaushika (Vishwamitra) narrated ancient stories and, with his eloquent words, illumined the entire assembly. Then Lord Rama said to Kaushika, 'O master, yesterday all went without water.' The sage replied, 'What Raghuraja says is fitting.' Already two and a half watches of the day had passed. Reading the sage's intent, the King of Tirhut (Janaka) said, 'It is not proper to take grain or cooked food here.' The king's words pleased everyone. Receiving permission, they all went to bathe.