Janaka Builds Bridges and Celestial Resting Places
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 301
Doha 304 · Movement 1 of 2
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Auspicious signs come naturally to the father whose son is Saguna Brahman. Ram is bridegroom, Sita bride, and the pure Janaka and Dasharatha will become joined as fathers. Even the omens dance, grateful that Brahma has made them true.
As the procession advances, Janaka prepares the way ahead. Bridges span rivers, and at intervals splendid resting places rise with wealth like the cities of gods.
Food, beds, and beautiful garments await every guest according to personal delight. Each new halt offers such ease that travellers forget their homes. The road between kingdoms becomes an extension of Mithila's hospitality, and Janaka's welcome reaches the procession long before the city walls appear.
Across river and resting ground, Janaka's care travels outward to meet the approaching fathers of Ayodhya.
Read the passage from the Manas
मंगल सगुन सुगम सब ताकें। सगुन ब्रह्म सुंदर सुत जाकें।। राम सरिस बरु दुलहिनि सीता। समधी दसरथु जनकु पुनीता।। सुनि अस ब्याहु सगुन सब नाचे। अब कीन्हे बिरंचि हम साँचे।। एहि बिधि कीन्ह बरात पयाना। हय गय गाजहिं हने निसाना।। आवत जानि भानुकुल केतू। सरितन्हि जनक बँधाए सेतू।। बीच बीच बर बास बनाए। सुरपुर सरिस संपदा छाए।। असन सयन बर बसन सुहाए। पावहिं सब निज निज मन भाए।। नित नूतन सुख लखि अनुकूले। सकल बरातिन्ह मंदिर भूले।।
All auspicious signs come easily to one whose son is the beautiful Saguna Brahman Himself. Rama is the bridegroom and Sita the bride; the pure Dasharatha and Janaka are each other's co-father. Hearing of such a marriage, every omen danced with joy, crying, 'Now the Creator has made us real!' In this fashion the wedding procession set forth. Horses and elephants trumpeted as kettledrums thundered. Knowing that the banner of the Sun dynasty was approaching, King Janaka had bridges built across the rivers. At every stage he arranged fine resting places, adorned with splendor rivaling the cities of the gods. Delicious food, comfortable beds, and beautiful garments were given freely; everyone received whatever delighted their heart. Beholding such ever-new and favoring joys, all the wedding guests forgot their very homes.