The Defeated Kings Reach for Their Armour
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 263
Doha 266 · Movement 1 of 2
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Seeing Sita garland Ram, cruel and foolish kings burn with thwarted desire. They leap from their seats, fasten armour, and fill the pavilion with reckless boasting. Some call for Sita to be seized; others demand that both princes be bound.
Unable to string the bow, they now claim that no marriage can occur while they remain alive. If Janaka supports the brothers, they threaten to defeat all three in battle.
The noble kings answer with disgust. Shame itself is ashamed of such speech. Strength, glory, courage, and honour departed with Pinaka when it broke. To seek by violence what valour failed to win does not restore heroism. It only blackens the faces of those who mistake rage for power.
The bow exposed their weakness; the threat of violence exposes what remained hidden beneath their crowns.
Read the passage from the Manas
तब सिय देखि भूप अभिलाषे। कूर कपूत मूढ़ मन माखे।। उठि उठि पहिरि सनाह अभागे। जहँ तहँ गाल बजावन लागे।। लेहु छड़ाइ सीय कह कोऊ। धरि बाँधहु नृप बालक दोऊ।। तोरें धनुषु चाड़ नहिं सरई। जीवत हमहि कुअँरि को बरई।। जौं बिदेहु कछु करै सहाई। जीतहु समर सहित दोउ भाई।। साधु भूप बोले सुनि बानी। राजसमाजहि लाज लजानी।। बलु प्रतापु बीरता बड़ाई। नाक पिनाकहि संग सिधाई।। सोइ सूरता कि अब कहुँ पाई। असि बुधि तौ बिधि मुहँ मसि लाई।।
Then the kings, beholding Sita, were seized with longing. The cruel, worthless fools burned with rage in their hearts. The wretched ones rose up, donned their armor, and began boasting loudly on every side. One cried, 'Seize Sita by force!' Another said, 'Grab both the young princes and bind them!' 'You could not so much as string the bow. How shall the princess be wed while we still draw breath?' 'If Videha's king offers them any help, we will defeat both brothers together in battle.' The noble kings, hearing these words, spoke out. Shame itself felt ashamed before that royal assembly. 'All your strength, glory, valor, and greatness departed along with Pinaaka, Shiva's bow. Is this the same heroism you once claimed? If this is your wisdom, then fate has blackened your faces.'