Dasharatha Rises at the Sight of His Sons
Bala Kanda, Doha 307
Doha 307 · Movement 2 of 2
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Dasharatha sees Vishwamitra approaching with Ram and Lakshmana beside him. The figures long held through letter, memory, and messenger's description are suddenly present upon the path.
The king rises in joy before formal reception can hold him in place. An ocean of bliss seems to move from its own shore in search of its depth.
The image reverses ordinary movement. Sons come toward father, yet the father's happiness surges out to meet them, immeasurable and unable to remain seated. Dasharatha has crossed the road to Mithila for this sight; now the last few steps draw him beyond royal composure into the boundless water of reunion.
The king leaves his seat, and an ocean of fatherly joy advances toward its own source.
Read the passage from the Manas
भूप बिलोके जबहिं मुनि आवत सुतन्ह समेत। उठे हरषि सुखसिंधु महुँ चले थाह सी लेत।।307।।
The moment the king beheld the sage approaching with his sons, he rose up in joy, as though an ocean of bliss itself had begun searching for its own depths.