Janaka Entrusts His Daughters to Ayodhya
Bala Kanda, Chhand 36
Doha 326 · Movement 2 of 3
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Janaka honours guests and sages with gifts, worship, humility, and affection, then bows before gods and saints. A handful of water cannot satisfy the ocean of devotion they desire, yet he offers what human hands can hold.
He tells Dasharatha that kinship with Ayodhya has exalted Mithila. Accept the kingdom and its people as servants. Receive these daughters as maidservants and protect them with ever-new compassion. Forgive the boldness of a father's plea.
Dasharatha answers with equal honour, and words fail before the love between the two families. Flowers fall as Ayodhya's king returns to the guest lodging. With the sages' permission, companions lead all four couples toward the kohbar amid auspicious song.
A father's folded hands release four daughters into Ayodhya's care, and song carries the couples toward the bridal chamber.
Read the passage from the Manas
सनमानि सकल बरात आदर दान बिनय बड़ाइ कै। प्रमुदित महा मुनि बृंद बंदे पूजि प्रेम लड़ाइ कै।। सिरु नाइ देव मनाइ सब सन कहत कर संपुट किएँ। सुर साधु चाहत भाउ सिंधु कि तोष जल अंजलि दिएँ।।1।। कर जोरि जनकु बहोरि बंधु समेत कोसलराय सों। बोले मनोहर बयन सानि सनेह सील सुभाय सों।। संबंध राजन रावरें हम बड़े अब सब बिधि भए। एहि राज साज समेत सेवक जानिबे बिनु गथ लए।।2।। ए दारिका परिचारिका करि पालिबीं करुना नई। अपराधु छमिबो बोलि पठए बहुत हौं ढीट्यो कई।। पुनि भानुकुलभूषन सकल सनमान निधि समधी किए। कहि जाति नहिं बिनती परस्पर प्रेम परिपूरन हिए।।3।। बृंदारका गन सुमन बरिसहिं राउ जनवासेहि चले। दुंदुभी जय धुनि बेद धुनि नभ नगर कौतूहल भले।। तब सखीं मंगल गान करत मुनीस आयसु पाइ कै। दूलह दुलहिनिन्ह सहित सुंदरि चलीं कोहबर ल्याइ कै।।4।।
Honoring the entire wedding party with respect, gifts, humility and praise, the great assembly of joyful munis offered worship, brimming with love. Bowing his head, he propitiated all the devas, and spoke with joined palms: 'Can the ocean of devotion that gods and saints desire ever be satisfied with mere handfuls of water?' With folded hands, Janaka again addressed Kosalaraja along with his kinsmen, speaking enchanting words steeped in affection, grace and noble temperament: 'O King, through this bond with your family, we have become exalted in every way. Consider us your servants, together with this entire realm and its splendor; accept it without any hesitation.' 'These daughters are now your maidservants; nurture them with ever-fresh compassion. Forgive any boldness in my words, for I have spoken with much presumption.' Then Bhanukula-Bhushana honored his samadhis, those treasuries of every virtue. Their mutual love was so deep that no words could capture the entreaties exchanged between them. Hosts of celestial beings showered blossoms as the king departed for the janavaasa. Drums of victory resounded alongside Vedic chanting; the city brimmed with joyous wonder. Then the sakhis, receiving the great sage's permission, began singing auspicious songs, and the beautiful women led the brides and grooms together to the kohbar.