Only Janaka Can Resolve the Dilemma of This Hour
Ayodhya Kanda, Doha 291
Doha 291 · Movement 2 of 2
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Vasishtha names the qualities required by the crisis: wisdom that sees beyond appearance, purity that does not bend toward private gain, courage that can bear grief, and steadfastness in dharma.
These qualities stand before him in Janaka. The king is not invited to decide because his affection is lesser, but because love and knowledge have both reached unusual maturity in him.
Who else can settle this bewilderment now? Every ordinary preference has been made inadequate by Rama's truth, Bharata's surrender, the mothers' pain, and the need of two kingdoms. Vasishtha places the impossible balance into the hands of the one ruler renowned for remaining awake within the world's entanglements.
The guru asks Janaka to bring wisdom, purity, courage, and dharma into the one knot no ordinary preference can untie.
Read the passage from the Manas
ग्यान निधान सुजान सुचि धरम धीर नरपाल। तुम्ह बिनु असमंजस समन को समरथ एहि काल।।291।।
O treasure of wisdom, noble and pure, steadfast in dharma and courage, great king: who else in this hour is capable of resolving this agonizing dilemma, if not you?