The King and Queen Walk Toward Naimisha
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 143
Doha 143 · Movement 1 of 2
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Manu places the kingdom firmly in his son's hands and leaves for the forest with Shatarupa. Royal corridors, guarded gates, and the accumulated splendour of ages fall behind them. Along the road, the couple appear so composed that knowledge and devotion themselves seem to have accepted human bodies and begun walking side by side.
Their path reaches sacred Naimisha, where assemblies of sages and perfected beings dwell. Joy rises as they come to the Gomati and bathe in its pure current. Siddhas and wise seers recognize the former king as a pillar of dharma and come forward to receive him.
The sages guide them through the holy places with respect. Manu exchanges royal cloth for the garments of an ascetic, and his body grows lean. Each day he sits among saints and listens to the Puranas, allowing sacred memory to fill the life once occupied by rule.
Knowledge and devotion walk together into Naimisha and sit at the feet of the sages.
Read the passage from the Manas
बरबस राज सुतहि तब दीन्हा। नारि समेत गवन बन कीन्हा।। तीरथ बर नैमिष बिख्याता। अति पुनीत साधक सिधि दाता।। बसहिं तहाँ मुनि सिद्ध समाजा। तहँ हियँ हरषि चलेउ मनु राजा।। पंथ जात सोहहिं मतिधीरा। ग्यान भगति जनु धरें सरीरा।। पहुँचे जाइ धेनुमति तीरा। हरषि नहाने निरमल नीरा।। आए मिलन सिद्ध मुनि ग्यानी। धरम धुरंधर नृपरिषि जानी।। जहँ जँह तीरथ रहे सुहाए। मुनिन्ह सकल सादर करवाए।। कृस सरीर मुनिपट परिधाना। सत समाज नित सुनहिं पुराना ।
By sheer resolve they handed the kingdom to their son and, husband and wife together, departed for the forest. They came to the renowned tirtha of Naimisharanya, supremely sacred, the place that grants fulfillment to all seekers.