Brothers Bow to One Another at the Farewell
Bala Kanda, Doha 342
Doha 342 · Movement 2 of 2
Keep this contemplation
Preserve, print, or share
Lakshmana meets Shatrughna while Janaka bestows his blessings upon them. The younger brothers stand within the larger farewell, joined by kinship, service, and the joy of marriages now complete.
Mutual love overcomes them. Again and again they bow their heads to one another, each gesture refusing superiority and returning honour in full.
The doha pauses the royal departure upon this compact exchange. No speech is preserved, only meeting, blessing, affection, and repeated reverence. Amid palanquins, armies, gifts, sages, and grieving kingdoms, the bond between brothers shines through a simple movement of the head. Love lowers both and leaves neither diminished.
Two brothers answer affection with reverence, bowing until honour has passed completely between them.
Read the passage from the Manas
मिले लखन रिपुसूदनहि दीन्हि असीस महीस। भए परस्पर प्रेमबस फिरि फिरि नावहिं सीस।।342।।
Lakshmana met Ripusoodana (Shatrughna), and the king bestowed his blessings upon them. Overcome with mutual love, they bowed their heads to one another again and again.