The Wise Kings Choose Nectar over the Mirage
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 243
Doha 246 · Movement 1 of 2
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The righteous kings warn the boasters not to die upon empty words. Imagined sweets cannot quiet hunger. Their counsel points beyond the contest: know Sita as the Mother of the world and Raghupati as its Father, then fill the eyes with their beauty.
Ram and Lakshmana are beautiful, bliss-giving, filled with every virtue, and cherished within Shiva's heart. To abandon this ocean of nectar for the mirage of personal victory would be to run toward thirst while immortality lies near.
Having spoken, the good rulers cease debating and surrender themselves to darshan. Above them, celestial vehicles gather. Gods shower flowers, and melodious song descends through the open heights of the pavilion. The kings who sought nothing now receive the fruit of their birth simply by looking.
The boastful reach for a crown, while the wise drink the sight of Sita and Ram.
Read the passage from the Manas
ब्यर्थ मरहु जनि गाल बजाई। मन मोदकन्हि कि भूख बुताई।। सिख हमारि सुनि परम पुनीता। जगदंबा जानहु जियँ सीता।। जगत पिता रघुपतिहि बिचारी। भरि लोचन छबि लेहु निहारी।। सुंदर सुखद सकल गुन रासी। ए दोउ बंधु संभु उर बासी।। सुधा समुद्र समीप बिहाई। मृगजलु निरखि मरहु कत धाई।। करहु जाइ जा कहुँ जोई भावा। हम तौ आजु जनम फलु पावा।। अस कहि भले भूप अनुरागे। रूप अनूप बिलोकन लागे।। देखहिं सुर नभ चढ़े बिमाना। बरषहिं सुमन करहिं कल गाना।।
Do not boast and perish for nothing. Can imaginary sweets ever satisfy hunger? Hear our counsel, supremely sacred. Let those kings who are wise listen with humility.