Speech Has No Eyes and Eyes Have No Words
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 226
Doha 229 · Movement 1 of 2
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The companion says two youthful princes have entered the garden, beautiful in every way, one dark and one fair. Then language reaches its limit: speech has no eyes to behold them, and the eyes that beheld them possess no words.
Sita's wise friends understand the eagerness rising within her. These are the princes who arrived with Vishwamitra, they explain, the youths whose beauty has made every man and woman in Mithila their own.
The report pleases Sita deeply. Her eyes grow restless for sight, and she follows the beloved friend into the garden. No observer recognizes the ancient love drawing them forward, older than the bodies now about to meet.
Led by a friend beyond the reach of language, Sita walks toward her ancient love.
Read the passage from the Manas
देखन बागु कुअँर दुइ आए। बय किसोर सब भाँति सुहाए।। स्याम गौर किमि कहौं बखानी। गिरा अनयन नयन बिनु बानी।। सुनि हरषीं सब सखीं सयानी। सिय हियँ अति उतकंठा जानी।। एक कहइ नृपसुत तेइ आली। सुने जे मुनि सँग आए काली।। जिन्ह निज रूप मोहनी डारी। कीन्ह स्वबस नगर नर नारी।। बरनत छबि जहँ तहँ सब लोगू। अवसि देखिअहिं देखन जोगू।। तासु वचन अति सियहि सुहाने। दरस लागि लोचन अकुलाने।। चली अग्र करि प्रिय सखि सोई। प्रीति पुरातन लखइ न कोई।।
"Two princes have come to see the garden. Young in age, lovely in every way. One dark, one fair. How shall I describe them? Speech has no eyes, and eyes have no speech."