Janaka's Detachment Dissolves before Sita
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 335
Doha 338 · Movement 1 of 2
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From golden cages, the parrots and mynas Sita raised cry out, asking where Vaidehi has gone. Even birds and animals feel the rupture, and their familiar voices make human composure impossible.
Janaka arrives with his brothers, tears already filling his eyes. The moment he sees Sita, the steadiness for which Videha is renowned abandons him. He presses Janaki to his heart, and the lofty dignity of philosophical detachment falls away before a father's love.
Wise ministers counsel him, but he cannot hear the hour through his grief. Again and again he clasps his daughter to his chest. At last a beautiful palanquin is brought forward, gleaming beside the king who knows the Self beyond attachment yet still honours the sacred truth of this human bond.
Before Sita, the detached king lets wisdom become tender enough to weep.
Read the passage from the Manas
सुक सारिका जानकी ज्याए। कनक पिंजरन्हि राखि पढ़ाए।। ब्याकुल कहहिं कहाँ बैदेही। सुनि धीरजु परिहरइ न केही।। भए बिकल खग मृग एहि भाँति। मनुज दसा कैसें कहि जाती।। बंधु समेत जनकु तब आए। प्रेम उमगि लोचन जल छाए।। सीय बिलोकि धीरता भागी। रहे कहावत परम बिरागी।। लीन्हि राँय उर लाइ जानकी। मिटी महामरजाद ग्यान की।। समुझावत सब सचिव सयाने। कीन्ह बिचारु न अवसर जाने।। बारहिं बार सुता उर लाई। सजि सुंदर पालकीं मगाई।।
The parrots and mynas that Janaki had raised, kept in golden cages where she herself had taught them, cry out in distress, 'Where is Vaidehi?' Hearing them, who could hold on to composure? When even birds and animals were so stricken with grief, how could the state of the people ever be told? Then King Janaka arrived with his brothers, his eyes brimming over with tears of surging love. The moment he beheld Sita, all his steadiness fled. He who was celebrated as supremely detached could remain so no longer. The king pressed Janaki to his heart, and all the lofty dignity of his wisdom fell away. Every wise minister tried to counsel him, but he heeded nothing and could not recognize the moment. Again and again he clasped his daughter to his chest, then had a beautiful palanquin adorned and brought forward.