Janaka Seats the Sages with His Own Hands
Bala Kanda, Chhand 30
Doha 320 · Movement 2 of 3
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The pavilion's extraordinary design captivates the sages before the rites begin. Amid its jewelled beauty, Janaka carries thrones with his own hands and seats each honoured guest.
He worships Vasishtha as the family deity of the house he is joining, offering humble prayer and receiving blessing. Before Vishwamitra, love and reverence deepen beyond what words can trace.
A king surrounded by servants chooses personal service at the decisive hour. Rank bends willingly before wisdom. By placing seats himself, Janaka establishes the mandap not merely as a royal space but as a field ordered around guru, sage, and blessing. The wedding will proceed from this foundation of humility.
With his own hands, Janaka builds the true order of the mandap by seating wisdom before royalty.
Read the passage from the Manas
मंडपु बिलोकि बिचीत्र रचनाँ रुचिरताँ मुनि मन हरे।। निज पानि जनक सुजान सब कहुँ आनि सिंघासन धरे।। कुल इष्ट सरिस बसिष्ट पूजे बिनय करि आसिष लही। कौसिकहि पूजत परम प्रीति कि रीति तौ न परै कही।।
Beholding the wedding pavilion with its wondrous design, its exquisite beauty captivated the hearts of all the sages. With his own hands, wise King Janaka brought thrones and seated every guest with honor. He worshipped Vasishtha as one reveres a family deity, offering humble prayers and receiving blessings in return. The depth of love and reverence with which he honored Kaushika (Vishvamitra) simply cannot be told in words.