The Mandap Overflows with Janaka's Gifts
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 323
Doha 326 · Movement 1 of 3
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The same rites performed for Ram are completed for every brother. Then Janaka's gifts fill the mandap with gold, gems, blankets, garments, silks, elephants, chariots, horses, attendants, and adorned cows like wish-fulfilling Kamadhenu.
No one can count the wealth. Even the guardians of the worlds watch in wonder. Dasharatha receives it gratefully, then allows every supplicant to take what brings delight.
Abundance does not stop at the royal household. It passes through open hands until those who sought gifts leave satisfied. Only after wealth has moved through family, guest, servant, and seeker does Janaka join his palms and address the wedding company.
Gold fills the pavilion, then flows outward until Janaka's generosity leaves no waiting hand empty.
Read the passage from the Manas
जसि रघुबीर ब्याह बिधि बरनी। सकल कुअँर ब्याहे तेहिं करनी।। कहि न जाइ कछु दाइज भूरी। रहा कनक मनि मंडपु पूरी।। कंबल बसन बिचित्र पटोरे। भाँति भाँति बहु मोल न थोरे।। गज रथ तुरग दास अरु दासी। धेनु अलंकृत कामदुहा सी।। बस्तु अनेक करिअ किमि लेखा। कहि न जाइ जानहिं जिन्ह देखा।। लोकपाल अवलोकि सिहाने। लीन्ह अवधपति सबु सुखु माने।। दीन्ह जाचकन्हि जो जेहि भावा। उबरा सो जनवासेहिं आवा।। तब कर जोरि जनकु मृदु बानी। बोले सब बरात सनमानी।।
Just as the sacred rites were performed for Raghubir's marriage, so all the princes were wed in the very same manner. The dowry was so lavish that it cannot be described; the wedding pavilion overflowed with gold and precious gems. Blankets, garments, and exquisite silken cloths of every variety, each of immense worth. Elephants, chariots, horses, men and women attendants, and bejewelled cows as generous as the divine Kamadhenu. How could one ever count so many treasures? Words cannot capture it; only those who witnessed it truly know. Even the Lokapalas, the guardians of the worlds, looked on in wonder. The lord of Ayodhya accepted everything with grateful joy. Whatever pleased each supplicant was freely given; all who came to the wedding feast left fully satisfied. Then, with hands joined in reverence, King Janaka spoke in gentle tones, honouring the entire wedding party.