The Women Pray That All Four Brothers Marry in Mithila
Bala Kanda, Chhand 25
Doha 311 · Movement 2 of 3
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Tulsidas dismisses every comparison, however learned poets may search. The four princes alone are oceans of strength, humility, knowledge, virtue, and beauty.
Across Janakpur, women open their veils like petitioning hands and speak directly to the Creator. Let all four brothers be married in this city. Let Mithila sing the auspicious songs for each of them.
The prayer rises from delighted vision, but it reaches toward a destiny not yet publicly announced. Seeing two pairs, the women intuit a fourfold union. Their spread garments receive hope as alms from heaven, and the city that welcomed one bridegroom begins asking to become the wedding home of an entire brotherhood.
Veils open beneath the sky, and Mithila asks the Creator to make all four brothers its bridegrooms.
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उपमा न कोउ कह दास तुलसी कतहुँ कबि कोबिद कहैं। बल बिनय बिद्या सील सोभा सिंधु इन्ह से एइ अहैं।। पुर नारि सकल पसारि अंचल बिधिहि बचन सुनावहीं।। ब्याहिअहुँ चारिउ भाइ एहिं पुर हम सुमंगल गावहीं।।
No comparison exists anywhere, says the servant Tulasi; let poets and scholars say what they will. These princes alone are oceans of strength, humility, learning, virtue, and beauty. All the women of the city spread their veils and speak these words to the Creator: 'May all four brothers be wedded in this very city, and we shall sing songs of supreme blessing.'