Janaka Washes the Feet of the Four Brothers before the Feast
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 325
Doha 328 · Movement 1 of 2
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Janaka summons the wedding party to a grand feast. Matchless cloths and carpets cover the path as Dasharatha comes with his sons. Every guest's feet are washed and each is seated according to place.
Janaka personally washes Dasharatha's feet, then the lotus feet of Ram hidden in Shiva's heart. He regards the other three brothers as equal and washes theirs with the same hands.
Master cooks are summoned, seats ordered, and jeweled betel leaves set out with golden cloves. Service moves from emperor to prince to ordinary guest without loss of reverence. The father who gave his daughters now nourishes the family receiving them, making hospitality another form of kinship.
Before food is served, Janaka makes love visible in water flowing over every honoured foot.
Read the passage from the Manas
पुनि जेवनार भई बहु भाँती। पठए जनक बोलाइ बराती।। परत पाँवड़े बसन अनूपा। सुतन्ह समेत गवन कियो भूपा।। सादर सबके पाय पखारे। जथाजोगु पीढ़न्ह बैठारे।। धोए जनक अवधपति चरना। सीलु सनेहु जाइ नहिं बरना।। बहुरि राम पद पंकज धोए। जे हर हृदय कमल महुँ गोए।। तीनिउ भाई राम सम जानी। धोए चरन जनक निज पानी।। आसन उचित सबहि नृप दीन्हे। बोलि सूपकारी सब लीन्हे।। सादर लगे परन पनवारे। कनक कील मनि पान सँवारे।।
Then a grand feast was prepared in many varieties. Janaka sent word and summoned the wedding party. Fine carpets and matchless fabrics were spread along the path. The king set forth together with his sons. With reverence he washed everyone's feet and seated them on befitting seats according to their rank. Janaka washed the feet of the Lord of Avadha. His humility and love are beyond all telling. Then he washed the lotus feet of Rama, those very feet that lie hidden within the lotus of Shiva's heart. Regarding all three brothers as equal to Rama, Janaka washed their feet with his own hands. The king offered proper seats to all, then called the master cooks to begin serving. With great respect they began presenting betel leaves, adorned with golden cloves and precious gems.