Janaka Leads the Sage across the Ceremonial Ground
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 241
Doha 244 · Movement 1 of 2
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A quiver rests at Ram's waist over yellow silk. He carries an arrow in hand and a bow upon his left shoulder, while the sacred thread crosses a form radiant from crown to foot. Around him, the people stare without blinking.
Janaka comes forward in joy, clasps Vishwamitra's feet, and humbly recounts the vow that has filled this ground with kings. He leads the sage through the arranged arena. Wherever the brothers walk beside them, heads turn and the crowd follows with astonished eyes.
Each person continues to behold Ram according to an inward inclination, unaware of the mystery shaping the sight. Vishwamitra praises the king's spotless arrangements. Relief brightens Janaka's face, and he receives the sage's approval as a blessing upon the vast pavilion and the destiny about to unfold within it.
Janaka shows the sage his carefully ordered hall, never guessing how soon its order will be transformed.
Read the passage from the Manas
कटि तूनीर पीत पट बाँधे। कर सर धनुष बाम बर काँधे।। पीत जग्य उपबीत सुहाए। नख सिख मंजु महाछबि छाए।। देखि लोग सब भए सुखारे। एकटक लोचन चलत न तारे।। हरषे जनकु देखि दोउ भाई। मुनि पद कमल गहे तब जाई।। करि बिनती निज कथा सुनाई। रंग अवनि सब मुनिहि देखाई।। जहँ जहँ जाहि कुअँर बर दोऊ। तहँ तहँ चकित चितव सबु कोऊ।। निज निज रुख रामहि सबु देखा। कोउ न जान कछु मरमु बिसेषा।। भलि रचना मुनि नृप सन कहेऊ। राजाँ मुदित महासुख लहेऊ।।
A quiver at His waist, yellow silk cloth tied round it, bow and arrow in hand, resting gracefully on His left shoulder. A beautiful yellow sacred thread adorns Him. From crown to toe, magnificent splendour pervades His entire form. Seeing the two princes, all the people were filled with delight. Their eyes remained fixed, unable to look away. King Janaka rejoiced upon seeing both brothers. He went at once and clasped the sage's lotus feet. With humble reverence he told his own story and showed the sage the entire ceremonial ground. Wherever those two excellent princes walked, everyone there gazed at them in silent wonder. Each person saw in Ram whatever matched his own disposition, yet no one grasped the deeper mystery. The sage praised the king's fine arrangements. The king was overjoyed and felt the deepest happiness.