The Princess Who Is Hari's Maya
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 130
Doha 130 · Movement 1 of 2
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Men and women of extraordinary beauty fill the conjured city, as though countless forms of Kama and Rati have taken birth together. Its king is a treasury of virtue, surrounded by innumerable horses, elephants, and armies. His wealth equals the splendour of a hundred Indras, and beauty, fame, strength, and dharma meet within his rule.
The king's daughter enchants the world. Her loveliness could captivate Lakshmi, and every virtue seems gathered in her, for she is Hari's Maya embodied. A swayamvara has been announced, drawing kings from many lands until the city shimmers with standards, retinues, armour, and expectation.
Narada enters playfully and questions the residents. Learning of the princess and the assembly, he goes to the palace. The king receives the sage with worship, seats him in honour, and brings the hidden design of Hari directly before him.
Across the crowded swayamvara city, Hari's Maya waits in the form of a princess.
Read the passage from the Manas
बसहिं नगर सुंदर नर नारी। जनु बहु मनसिज रति तनुधारी।। तेहिं पुर बसइ सीलनिधि राजा। अगनित हय गय सेन समाजा।। सत सुरेस सम बिभव बिलासा। रूप तेज बल नीति निवासा।। बिस्वमोहनी तासु कुमारी। श्री बिमोह जिसु रूपु निहारी।। सोइ हरिमाया सब गुन खानी। सोभा तासु कि जाइ बखानी।। करइ स्वयंबर सो नृपबाला। आए तहँ अगनित महिपाला।। मुनि कौतुकी नगर तेहिं गयऊ। पुरबासिन्ह सब पूछत भयऊ।। सुनि सब चरित भूपगृहँ आए। करि पूजा नृप मुनि बैठाए।।
Beautiful men and women dwell in that city, as though many Kamadevas and Ratis had taken living form. In that city lives a king who is a treasury of virtue, with countless horses, elephants, and armies at his command.