Mithila Prays for Janaka to Abandon the Vow
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 246
Doha 249 · Movement 1 of 2
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The people look from Ram to Sita and forget to blink. One longing fills the crowded pavilion, yet courtesy keeps it unspoken. Silently they appeal to Brahma: remove Janaka's stubbornness and give the king the wisdom to unite these two without testing the bow.
Such a marriage, they feel, would delight every heart and win the praise of the world. Persistence in the vow can bring only inward burning. The dark prince alone appears worthy of Janaki, and the whole city is submerged in that desire.
Janaka does not hear the prayer passing through thousands of minds. He summons the court bards, who approach reciting the royal lineage. With formal authority he commands them to proclaim his vow. Joyful heralds step toward the centre as hope and anxiety tighten through the hall.
While Mithila prays for the vow to vanish, Janaka sends it forth in a herald's voice.
Read the passage from the Manas
राम रूपु अरु सिय छबि देखें। नर नारिन्ह परिहरीं निमेषें।। सोचहिं सकल कहत सकुचाहीं। बिधि सन बिनय करहिं मन माहीं।। हरु बिधि बेगि जनक जड़ताई। मति हमारि असि देहि सुहाई।। बिनु बिचार पनु तजि नरनाहु। सीय राम कर करै बिबाहू।। जग भल कहहि भाव सब काहू। हठ कीन्हे अंतहुँ उर दाहू।। एहिं लालसाँ मगन सब लोगू। बरु साँवरो जानकी जोगू।। तब बंदीजन जनक बौलाए। बिरिदावली कहत चलि आए।। कह नृप जाइ कहहु पन मोरा। चले भाट हियँ हरषु न थोरा।।
Seeing the beauty of Rama and the radiance of Sita, men and women forgot even to blink. All thought the same thought but hesitated to speak it aloud; silently, in their hearts, they prayed to Brahma. 'O Creator, quickly remove Janaka's stubbornness. Grant us this one beautiful wish. Let the king set aside his vow without further thought and simply give Sita's hand to Rama in marriage. The whole world will praise this, and every heart will rejoice. Stubbornness will only bring sorrow in the end.' All the people were absorbed in this longing: the dark-complexioned bridegroom alone is worthy of Janaki. Then King Janaka summoned his bards, who came forward reciting the royal lineage. The king said, 'Go and proclaim my vow to all.' The bards departed, their hearts brimming with joy.