Janaka Asks That His Mind Never Leave Ram's Feet
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 339
Doha 342 · Movement 1 of 2
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Janaka tells Ram that every greatness bestowed upon him came from being recognized as Ram's own. Ten thousand Saraswatis and Sheshas writing for millions of ages could not complete the account of his fortune or the Lord's virtues.
He speaks only because love offers him courage. Ram accepts even the smallest gift of affection, so Janaka places one prayer before him: may his mind never abandon Ram's feet, not even for a moment.
Ram is pleased by words nourished with pure devotion. He honours his father in law with gracious reverence, regarding Vishwamitra and Vasishtha equally, then turns affectionately toward Bharata, embraces him, and grants blessing. Janaka's prayer becomes the inward knot that remains after the outward wedding knot journeys away.
When every visible bond must loosen, Janaka asks for the one bond the mind need never release.
Read the passage from the Manas
सबहि भाँति मोहि दीन्हि बड़ाई। निज जन जानि लीन्ह अपनाई।। होहिं सहस दस सारद सेषा। करहिं कलप कोटिक भरि लेखा।। मोर भाग्य राउर गुन गाथा। कहि न सिराहिं सुनहु रघुनाथा।। मै कछु कहउँ एक बल मोरें। तुम्ह रीझहु सनेह सुठि थोरें।। बार बार मागउँ कर जोरें। मनु परिहरै चरन जनि भोरें।। सुनि बर बचन प्रेम जनु पोषे। पूरनकाम रामु परितोषे।। करि बर बिनय ससुर सनमाने। पितु कौसिक बसिष्ठ सम जाने।। बिनती बहुरि भरत सन कीन्ही। मिलि सप्रेमु पुनि आसिष दीन्ही।।
In every way You have bestowed greatness upon me, recognizing me as Your own and drawing me into Your protection. Even if ten thousand Saraswatis and Sheshas were to write for millions of kalpas, they could not complete the account. My good fortune and the saga of Your glorious virtues can never be fully told. Please listen, O Lord of the Raghus. I dare to speak with just one assurance: that You are pleased by even the smallest offering of love. Again and again, with folded hands, I pray: may my mind never abandon Your feet, not even for a moment. Hearing these fine words, nourished as they were by pure love, Rama, the fulfiller of all desires, was deeply pleased. With gracious reverence He honored His father-in-law, holding Kaushika and Vashishtha in equal regard. Then He made affectionate entreaties to Bharata, embraced him with love, and bestowed blessings upon him.