Janaka Sees Brahman and Jiva in the Two Brothers
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 214
Doha 217 · Movement 1 of 2
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Janaka tells Vishwamitra that no merit of his can explain this grace. The dark and fair brothers do not merely possess beauty. They give joy even to joy itself, as though happiness has found a source beyond its own nature.
Their mutual love is pure and impossible to describe. The king sees in their spontaneous affection the relation of Brahman and jiva, inseparable nearness expressed through two visible lives.
Again and again Janaka looks toward Ram, his skin thrilling and heart overflowing. He praises the sage, bows, and takes leave, but service continues. A beautiful mansion is provided for the entire company, with worship and every comfort arranged before the king returns.
Janaka leaves the grove, carrying the dark and fair image deeper than thought.
Read the passage from the Manas
मुनि तव चरन देखि कह राऊ। कहि न सकउँ निज पुन्य प्राभाऊ।। सुंदर स्याम गौर दोउ भ्राता। आनँदहू के आनँद दाता।। इन्ह कै प्रीति परसपर पावनि। कहि न जाइ मन भाव सुहावनि।। सुनहु नाथ कह मुदित बिदेहू। ब्रह्म जीव इव सहज सनेहू।। पुनि पुनि प्रभुहि चितव नरनाहू। पुलक गात उर अधिक उछाहू।। म्रुनिहि प्रसंसि नाइ पद सीसू। चलेउ लवाइ नगर अवनीसू।। सुंदर सदनु सुखद सब काला। तहाँ बासु लै दीन्ह भुआला।। करि पूजा सब बिधि सेवकाई। गयउ राउ गृह बिदा कराई।।
The king said, "Seeing your feet, O sage, I cannot express the power of my own good fortune." Vishvamitra then described the two brothers, one dark and one fair, explaining everything with care.