Janaka Fears That Even Wisdom Has Become a Cruel Boast
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 292
Doha 292 · Movement 1 of 2
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Vasishtha's request awakens love in Janaka until even his famed detachment seems to melt. He wonders whether coming to Chitrakoot was itself a mistake. Dasharatha sent Rama into one forest, sealing truth with the sacrifice of his life. Will Mithila now send Rama onward from forest to forest and return home praising its own discernment?
Ascetics, sages, and learned brahmins hear the anguish within this thought and become overcome with love. Janaka nevertheless reads the hour, gathers courage, and goes with his assembly to Bharata.
Bharata receives them and provides fitting seats. Then the king of Tirhut addresses him as a son who knows Raghuvira's nature. Janaka will not pronounce a decision over Bharata. He begins by asking the brother whose surrender has become the hidden center of the council.
Janaka refuses to call it wisdom if two kingdoms send Rama deeper into exile and return congratulating themselves upon discernment.
Read the passage from the Manas
सुनि मुनि बचन जनक अनुरागे। लखि गति ग्यानु बिरागु बिरागे।। सिथिल सनेहँ गुनत मन माहीं। आए इहाँ कीन्ह भल नाही।। रामहि रायँ कहेउ बन जाना। कीन्ह आपु प्रिय प्रेम प्रवाना।। हम अब बन तें बनहि पठाई। प्रमुदित फिरब बिबेक बड़ाई।। तापस मुनि महिसुर सुनि देखी। भए प्रेम बस बिकल बिसेषी।। समउ समुझि धरि धीरजु राजा। चले भरत पहिं सहित समाजा।। भरत आइ आगें भइ लीन्हे। अवसर सरिस सुआसन दीन्हे।। तात भरत कह तेरहुति राऊ। तुम्हहि बिदित रघुबीर सुभाऊ।।
Hearing the muni's words, Janaka's heart overflowed with love. Beholding the state of gyaan and vairaagya, his detachment itself melted away. His tender affection weakened as he pondered within: it was not well that we came here at all. The king had bidden Rama to go to the forest, thus sealing his own dear love with a decree of prem. Now we shall send them onward from one forest to another, and return home rejoicing, praising our own vivek. The taapas munis and learned brahmins, hearing and seeing all this, became deeply distressed, overcome by prem. Understanding the moment, the king steadied himself with patience and set out toward Bharata with his entire assembly. Bharata came forward and reverently received them, offering suitable seats befitting the occasion. The king of Tirhut spoke: 'Dear Bharata, you know well the gracious swabhaav of Raghuveer.'