Videha Becomes Bodiless Before Ram
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 212
Doha 215 · Movement 1 of 2
Keep this contemplation
Preserve, print, or share
Janaka places his head at Vishwamitra's feet and receives blessing. Brahmins exchange reverent salutations, welfare is asked repeatedly, and the king is seated within the grove.
Then Ram and Lakshmana return from seeing the garden. One dark and one fair, tender with youth, their eyes give joy while their beauty steals the hearts of the world. Everyone rises. Vishwamitra seats the brothers near him as tears and thrilled bodies reveal the gathering's delight.
Janaka beholds their sweet forms. The king called Videha, bodiless through detachment, becomes bodiless in another way as love sweeps awareness of self away. Philosophy turns into astonished seeing.
The detached king of Videha loses awareness of himself before the two princes.
Read the passage from the Manas
कीन्ह प्रनामु चरन धरि माथा। दीन्हि असीस मुदित मुनिनाथा।। बिप्रबृंद सब सादर बंदे। जानि भाग्य बड़ राउ अनंदे।। कुसल प्रस्न कहि बारहिं बारा। बिस्वामित्र नृपहि बैठारा।। तेहि अवसर आए दोउ भाई। गए रहे देखन फुलवाई।। स्याम गौर मृदु बयस किसोरा। लोचन सुखद बिस्व चित चोरा।। उठे सकल जब रघुपति आए। बिस्वामित्र निकट बैठाए।। भए सब सुखी देखि दोउ भ्राता। बारि बिलोचन पुलकित गाता।। मूरति मधुर मनोहर देखी। भयउ बिदेहु बिदेहु बिसेषी।।
Janaka bowed low, placing his head upon the sage's feet. The lord of sages, well pleased, bestowed his blessing. All the Brahmins were honored with deep reverence. Recognizing them as beings worthy of divine regard, the Brahmins received this homage with gladness.