The Kings Fade Like Stars at Sunrise
Bala Kanda, Doha 238
Doha 238 · Movement 2 of 2
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Lakshmana looks upon sunrise and reads the coming assembly within it. Kumud flowers close, and the brightness of stars grows pale before the advancing sun.
So the kings gathered for Janaka's bow have already begun to lose their strength at the news of Ram's arrival. Crowns and armies may still glitter, but a greater radiance has entered Mithila.
The comparison expresses the Lord's divine influence without boasting. Stars do not need to be struck from the sky. They simply become faint when day appears. Ram's presence makes rival glory reveal its true scale.
Before Ram enters the pavilion, the assembled crowns have begun to fade like stars.
Read the passage from the Manas
अरुनोदयँ सकुचे कुमुद उडगन जोति मलीन। जिमि तुम्हार आगमन सुनि भए नृपति बलहीन।।238।।
At sunrise the kumud flowers shrink back and the stars' light grows pale. Just so, hearing of your arrival, the assembled kings have lost all strength.