The Dark and Fair Brothers Enter Janakpur
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 216
Doha 219 · Movement 1 of 2
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Ram and Lakshmana bow at Vishwamitra's lotus feet and enter the city. A group of boys gathers around them, while every passing eye and mind is seized by the extraordinary sight.
Yellow garments fall from ornamented waists, and bows and arrows grace their hands. Fragrant sandalwood anoints the dark and fair bodies. Lion like necks rise above broad arms, and jewel necklaces shine upon their chests.
Golden lotus eyes and moonlike faces remove the three kinds of suffering. Flower earrings brighten their ears, glances steal hearts, and arched brows with tilaka marks appear drawn by perfect artistry. Their walk becomes a moving festival of form.
Dark cloud and fair moon walk together through Janakpur in yellow silk.
Read the passage from the Manas
मुनि पद कमल बंदि दोउ भ्राता। चले लोक लोचन सुख दाता।। बालक बृंदि देखि अति सोभा। लगे संग लोचन मनु लोभा।। पीत बसन परिकर कटि भाथा। चारु चाप सर सोहत हाथा।। तन अनुहरत सुचंदन खोरी। स्यामल गौर मनोहर जोरी।। केहरि कंधर बाहु बिसाला। उर अति रुचिर नागमनि माला।। सुभग सोन सरसीरुह लोचन। बदन मयंक तापत्रय मोचन।। कानन्हि कनक फूल छबि देहीं। चितवत चितहि चोरि जनु लेहीं।। चितवनि चारु भृकुटि बर बाँकी। तिलक रेखा सोभा जनु चाँकी।।
Bowing at the sage's lotus feet (muni pada kamala), the two brothers set forth, givers of delight to the eyes of all the world. Boyish in age, one dark of limb, one fair, both surpassingly beautiful, they stole every heart they passed.