Janaka and Sunayana Wash Ram's Feet
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 321
Doha 324 · Movement 1 of 3
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Sunayana sits at Janaka's left like Mena beside Himavan, carrying the fame, merit, happiness, and beauty Brahma gathered into Sita's mother. The sages call the royal couple at the proper moment.
Golden vessels set with jewels hold pure, fragrant, auspicious water. Janaka and Sunayana bring them with their own joyful hands and place them before Ram.
Vedic blessing rises as flowers fall from heaven. Looking upon the bridegroom with devotion, Sita's parents begin to wash his sacred feet. King and queen become servants before the one entering their family, and parental offering becomes worship without losing its tenderness.
Sita's parents kneel together, and fragrant water begins to flow over the feet of Ram.
Read the passage from the Manas
जनक पाटमहिषी जग जानी। सीय मातु किमि जाइ बखानी।। सुजसु सुकृत सुख सुदंरताई। सब समेटि बिधि रची बनाई।। समउ जानि मुनिबरन्ह बोलाई। सुनत सुआसिनि सादर ल्याई।। जनक बाम दिसि सोह सुनयना। हिमगिरि संग बनि जनु मयना।। कनक कलस मनि कोपर रूरे। सुचि सुंगध मंगल जल पूरे।। निज कर मुदित रायँ अरु रानी। धरे राम के आगें आनी।। पढ़हिं बेद मुनि मंगल बानी। गगन सुमन झरि अवसरु जानी।। बरु बिलोकि दंपति अनुरागे। पाय पुनीत पखारन लागे।।
Queen Sunayana, Janaka's chief consort, is known throughout the world. How can one fittingly describe Sita's mother? The Creator gathered all fair fame, good deeds, happiness, and beauty, and fashioned her with care. Knowing the proper time, the great sages were called, and hearing this, the auspicious married women reverently brought them forward. Sunayana sat gracefully to Janaka's left, as though Mayana sat beside Himavana himself. Splendid golden vessels adorned with jewels, filled with pure, fragrant, and auspicious water. With their own joyful hands the king and queen brought these and placed them before Rama. The sages recited Vedic hymns of blessing; flowers showered from the sky, recognizing the sacred moment. Gazing upon the groom, the loving couple were filled with devotion and began to wash his holy feet.