Janaka Steadies a Heart Drowned in Love
Bala Kanda, Doha 215
Doha 215 · Movement 2 of 2
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Janaka recognizes that his heart has gone beneath a flood of love. The disciplined clarity by which he has governed and contemplated cannot prevent the sight from entering every chamber of feeling.
He gathers discernment and courage, not to suppress devotion, but to make speech possible within it. The body is steadied while the inner current continues.
Bowing again at Vishwamitra's feet, the king begins in a deep voice choked with emotion. Before he can ask who the youths are, the quality of his tone has already confessed that they have become more than unknown royal guests.
Janaka holds himself steady while love rises into a voice that can barely speak.
Read the passage from the Manas
प्रेम मगन मनु जानि नृपु करि बिबेकु धरि धीर। बोलेउ मुनि पद नाइ सिरु गदगद गिरा गभीर।।215।।
Knowing his heart was drowned in love, the king steadied himself through discernment and courage. Bowing his head at the sage's feet, he spoke in a deep voice, choked with emotion.