The Moon Cannot Rival Sita's Face
Bala Kanda, Doha 237
Doha 237 · Movement 2 of 2
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The moon rises from the ocean, but that origin joins it to poison, another child of the churning. Its light fades by day, and a dark stain remains visible across its face.
How could such a poor and destitute moon rival Sita? The comparison first offered by beauty collapses under Ram's affectionate scrutiny as night settles over the roofs of Mithila.
Sita's face does not borrow loveliness from the lunar disk. Rather, the moon reveals its defects when placed beside her. Love reverses the familiar metaphor and makes the celestial object seem like an inadequate reflection.
Before the remembered face of Sita, the rising moon appears stained, dim, and poor.
Read the passage from the Manas
जनमु सिंधु पुनि बंधु बिषु दिन मलीन सकलंक। सिय मुख समता पाव किमि चंदु बापुरो रंक।।237।।
Born from the ocean, brother to poison, dim by day, and marked with a stain. How can the poor, destitute moon ever rival Sita's face?