Mithila Begins to Build the Wedding City
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 284
Doha 287 · Movement 1 of 2
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Vishwamitra tells Janaka to send messengers at once and invite Dasharatha from Ayodhya. The joyful king obeys, then summons Mithila's leading citizens and commands every market, road, temple, and sacred dwelling to be adorned.
Orders multiply through the city. Householders return home, servants hurry outward, and masters of pavilion craft gather to receive their work. Magnificent wedding structures must rise on every side.
The artisans bow to Brahma before beginning. Golden pillars appear, ornamented with plantain forms, establishing the first shining lines of a city transformed for marriage. News travels west toward Ayodhya while skill moves through Mithila's streets, two currents carrying the same joy toward the meeting of royal houses.
Messengers take the road to Ayodhya as golden pillars begin to rise in Mithila.
Read the passage from the Manas
दूत अवधपुर पठवहु जाई। आनहिं नृप दसरथहि बोलाई।। मुदित राउ कहि भलेहिं कृपाला। पठए दूत बोलि तेहि काला।। बहुरि महाजन सकल बोलाए। आइ सबन्हि सादर सिर नाए।। हाट बाट मंदिर सुरबासा। नगरु सँवारहु चारिहुँ पासा।। हरषि चले निज निज गृह आए। पुनि परिचारक बोलि पठाए।। रचहु बिचित्र बितान बनाई। सिर धरि बचन चले सचु पाई।। पठए बोलि गुनी तिन्ह नाना। जे बितान बिधि कुसल सुजाना।। बिधिहि बंदि तिन्ह कीन्ह अरंभा। बिरचे कनक कदलि के खंभा।।
Send messengers to Ayodhya at once. Bring King Dasharatha here with a formal invitation. The king, filled with joy, said, 'Very well, O gracious one,' and dispatched messengers that very moment. Then he summoned all the prominent citizens. They came and bowed their heads with great reverence. He commanded, 'Adorn the markets, the streets, the temples, and the sacred dwellings. Beautify the city on every side.' Delighted, they went to their own homes and sent their servants forth with further instructions. He ordered, 'Build magnificent pavilions of wondrous design.' Accepting his word upon their heads, they departed in high spirits. He called for skilled artisans of every kind, masters in the craft of pavilion-building. Bowing to Brahma, they began their work and raised pillars of gold adorned with plantain trees.