The Brothers Enter the Gardens of Videha
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 209
Doha 212 · Movement 1 of 2
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Ram and Lakshmana travel with Vishwamitra to the sacred Ganga. The sage tells how the celestial river descended to earth, then the Lord bathes with the ascetics and gives many gifts to brahmins.
The company moves joyfully toward Videha. At the first sight of the city, delight rises in both brothers. Wells, tanks, rivers, and lakes hold water pure as nectar, with jeweled steps descending into their clear depths.
Bees hum in intoxicated circles, many coloured birds answer one another, and gardens open in every hue. Three gentle kinds of breeze move continually through blossom, water, and shade, welcoming the princes before Mithila knows who has arrived.
Ram first beholds Mithila through jeweled water, birdsong, blossom, and a threefold breeze.
Read the passage from the Manas
चले राम लछिमन मुनि संगा। गए जहाँ जग पावनि गंगा।। गाधिसूनु सब कथा सुनाई। जेहि प्रकार सुरसरि महि आई।। तब प्रभु रिषिन्ह समेत नहाए। बिबिध दान महिदेवन्हि पाए।। हरषि चले मुनि बृंद सहाया। बेगि बिदेह नगर निअराया।। पुर रम्यता राम जब देखी। हरषे अनुज समेत बिसेषी।। बापीं कूप सरित सर नाना। सलिल सुधासम मनि सोपाना।। गुंजत मंजु मत्त रस भृंगा। कूजत कल बहुबरन बिहंगा।। बरन बरन बिकसे बन जाता। त्रिबिध समीर सदा सुखदाता।।
Ram, Lakshmana, and the sage walked onward together, and came to where the world-purifying Ganga flows. The son of Gadhi (Vishwamitra) told the whole story of how the heavenly river descended to earth.