The Gods Envy Dasharatha's Fortune
Bala Kanda, Doha 313
Doha 313 · Movement 2 of 2
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Brahma and the gods behold the fortune and splendour surrounding Ayodhya's king. A thousand mouths would be needed to praise what has gathered around one human father.
They look upon Dasharatha and consider their own divine births wasted by comparison. Celestial rank has not granted them the intimacy he possesses with Ram.
The verse overturns familiar hierarchy. Gods watch from heaven, yet the greater blessing belongs to the mortal who raised the Lord as son and now travels beside him as father of the bridegroom. Privilege is measured not by power or immortality but by relationship. Dasharatha's trembling love outshines the thrones from which the gods descend.
Before the father of Ram, even the gods wonder what their heaven has truly given them.
Read the passage from the Manas
भाग्य बिभव अवधेस कर देखि देव ब्रह्मादि। लगे सराहन सहस मुख जानि जनम निज बादि।।313।।
Seeing the fortune and magnificence of the King of Ayodhya, the gods, beginning with Brahma, began to praise him with a thousand mouths, considering their own births to be in vain.