Janaka Asks What Must Be Done Next
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 283
Doha 286 · Movement 1 of 2
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Deep instruments resound again, and groups of bright-eyed women sing with voices like cuckoos. Janaka's joy resembles the discovery of treasure after lifelong poverty. Sita, freed from fear, turns toward Ram like a young chakora at moonrise.
The king bows to Vishwamitra. By the Lord's grace, Ram has broken the bow; both brothers have fulfilled his life. Now the sage must say what is proper.
Vishwamitra answers that the marriage depended upon the bow. The instant it broke, the union was accomplished before gods, humans, and nagas. The spiritual and heroic condition is complete. What remains is to allow cosmic fulfilment to take the orderly form of family, lineage, invitation, and rite.
The bow has completed the vow; now Janaka turns from wonder toward the sacred work of marriage.
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अति गहगहे बाजने बाजे। सबहिं मनोहर मंगल साजे।। जूथ जूथ मिलि सुमुख सुनयनीं। करहिं गान कल कोकिलबयनी।। सुखु बिदेह कर बरनि न जाई। जन्मदरिद्र मनहुँ निधि पाई।। गत त्रास भइ सीय सुखारी। जनु बिधु उदयँ चकोरकुमारी।। जनक कीन्ह कौसिकहि प्रनामा। प्रभु प्रसाद धनु भंजेउ रामा।। मोहि कृतकृत्य कीन्ह दुहुँ भाईं। अब जो उचित सो कहिअ गोसाई।। कह मुनि सुनु नरनाथ प्रबीना। रहा बिबाहु चाप आधीना।। टूटतहीं धनु भयउ बिबाहू। सुर नर नाग बिदित सब काहु।।
Deep, resonant instruments played on every side. All around, beautiful and auspicious decorations were arranged. Groups of lovely-faced, bright-eyed women gathered together, singing in melodious voices sweet as cuckoos. The joy of King Videha cannot be described. It was as though one born in lifelong poverty had discovered a great treasure. Sita became free from fear and filled with happiness, like a young chakora bird at the rising of the moon. Janaka bowed before Kaushika (Vishvamitra) and said, 'By the Lord's grace, Rama has broken the bow.' 'Both brothers have fulfilled my life's purpose completely. Now please tell me what is proper to do, O master.' The sage replied, 'Listen, O wise king. The marriage was always dependent upon the bow.' 'The moment the bow broke, the marriage was accomplished. This is known to all: gods, men, and nagas alike.'