Mithila Leaves Its Work to See the Princes
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 217
Doha 220 · Movement 1 of 2
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News runs ahead that princes have come to see the city. People abandon their work and hurry as poor seekers might rush toward an opened treasure. Seeing the brothers, their eyes feel blessed.
Young women fill the windows, leaning toward the street with loving attention. One tells another that this beauty surpasses millions of Kamadevas and has never been heard of among gods, humans, demons, serpents, or sages.
They compare divine forms. Vishnu bears four arms, Brahma four faces, and Shiva a fierce five faced majesty. None resembles the simple perfection passing below in two youthful bodies. The women recognize a beauty without precedent.
Work stops across Mithila as every window opens toward Ram and Lakshmana.
Read the passage from the Manas
देखन नगरु भूपसुत आए। समाचार पुरबासिन्ह पाए।। धाए धाम काम सब त्यागी। मनहु रंक निधि लूटन लागी।। निरखि सहज सुंदर दोउ भाई। होहिं सुखी लोचन फल पाई।। जुबतीं भवन झरोखन्हि लागीं। निरखहिं राम रूप अनुरागीं।। कहहिं परसपर बचन सप्रीती। सखि इन्ह कोटि काम छबि जीती।। सुर नर असुर नाग मुनि माहीं। सोभा असि कहुँ सुनिअति नाहीं।। बिष्नु चारि भुज बिघि मुख चारी। बिकट बेष मुख पंच पुरारी।। अपर देउ अस कोउ न आही। यह छबि सखि पटतरिअ जाही।।
The king's sons have come to see the city! When the townspeople received the news, they rushed from their homes, abandoning every task at hand. It was as though paupers (rankanha) had stumbled upon the wish-fulfilling tree (surataru), and nothing else in the world could hold them.