Indra Finds the Three Worlds Poor beside Janaka's Gift
Bala Kanda, Doha 333
Doha 333 · Movement 2 of 2
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Janaka's dowry extends beyond measure. Carts, animals, garments, gold, and gems assemble until enumeration itself fails, and speech can no longer contain what the eye beholds.
The doha lifts the scene toward heaven. If Indra were to see this farewell wealth, the lord of the gods would regard the riches of all three worlds as small.
Yet the comparison does more than magnify treasure. The gifts carry a father's affection, a kingdom's honour, and a city's blessing toward the daughters departing from Mithila. Their true abundance cannot be weighed because its source is love. Even celestial wealth appears slight beside generosity emptied of calculation.
Before a father's boundless giving, even the treasury of the three worlds seems small.
Read the passage from the Manas
दाइज अमित न सकिअ कहि दीन्ह बिदेहँ बहोरि। जो अवलोकत लोकपति लोक संपदा थोरि।।333।।
The dowry given by King Videha was beyond all measure; no words could capture it. Seeing it, even Indra, lord of the heavens, would consider the wealth of all three worlds to be small.