Every one in the palace, attendants, and all, were so overpowered by emotion that it seemed as though they had made the city of Videha the very home of piteousness and lovers’ partings.
The pet parrots and mainas, that Janaki had kept in golden cages and taught to speak, cry in their agitation: “Where is the princess?” and, on hearing, which of them was not robbed of all peace of mind? When birds and beasts were thus distressed, how can the feelings of the people be told? Then came Janak with his brother (Kusadhwaja) overflowing with love and his eyes full of tears. As he gazed upon Sita, all his courage deserted him and his eminent asceticism lasted but in name. As he clasped Janaki to his bosom the stronghold of his stern philosophy was broken down. All his wise counsellors admonished him; and seeing the unfitness of the time he recovered himself, and again and again taking his daughter to his heart he ordered a gorgeous palki to be got ready.
Dohâ 343
The whole court was overpowered with emotion, when the king, perceiving that the auspicious moment had arrived, seated the bride in the palki with his thoughts intent upon Ganesh, the author of success.
Chaupâi
The monarch gave his daughter much advice and instructed her in the whole duty of women and in family customs. He bestowed upon her many men-servants and maid-servants and all her own favourite attendants. As she went on her way the citizens were in distress, but all good signs and auspicious omens were forthcoming. Brahmans and ministers with all their retinue joined company to escort the Raja. The wedding guests made ready their chariots and elephants and horses, and there was a tumultuous noise of music. Then Dasarath called up all the Brahmans and gratified them with gifts and compliments, and putting the dust of their lotus feet upon his head rejoiced—great king as he was—to obtain their benison. As he set forth on his way with his thoughts on Ganesh, every omen of good occurred.
The pet parrots and mainas, that Janaki had kept in golden cages and taught to speak, cry in their agitation: “Where is the princess?” and, on hearing, which of them was not robbed of all peace of mind? When birds and beasts were thus distressed, how can the feelings of the people be told? Then came Janak with his brother (Kusadhwaja) overflowing with love and his eyes full of tears. As he gazed upon Sita, all his courage deserted him and his eminent asceticism lasted but in name. As he clasped Janaki to his bosom the stronghold of his stern philosophy was broken down. All his wise counsellors admonished him; and seeing the unfitness of the time he recovered himself, and again and again taking his daughter to his heart he ordered a gorgeous palki to be got ready.
Dohâ 343
The whole court was overpowered with emotion, when the king, perceiving that the auspicious moment had arrived, seated the bride in the palki with his thoughts intent upon Ganesh, the author of success.
Chaupâi
The monarch gave his daughter much advice and instructed her in the whole duty of women and in family customs. He bestowed upon her many men-servants and maid-servants and all her own favourite attendants. As she went on her way the citizens were in distress, but all good signs and auspicious omens were forthcoming. Brahmans and ministers with all their retinue joined company to escort the Raja. The wedding guests made ready their chariots and elephants and horses, and there was a tumultuous noise of music. Then Dasarath called up all the Brahmans and gratified them with gifts and compliments, and putting the dust of their lotus feet upon his head rejoiced—great king as he was—to obtain their benison. As he set forth on his way with his thoughts on Ganesh, every omen of good occurred.
Dohâ 344
The gods rained down flowers, the heavenly nymphs sang for joy, as the king of Avadh set forth for his capital midst the clash of jubilant music.
Chaupâi
Courteously the king dismissed the burghers and reverently bade all the mendicants approach and bestowed upon them ornaments and clothes and horses and elephants, and affectionately cherishing them made them stand up before him. After again and again reciting his praises they turned home with Rama in their heart. Though Kosala’s lord spoke time after time, Janak in his exceeding love would not turn back. Once more said the king in gracious tones: “I beg you to turn back, sire; you have come a great distance.” At last he dismounted and remained standing, his eyes overflowing with love’s torrent. Then said Videha’s lord with folded hands and in a voice fraught with the ambrosia of affection: “How can I fitly express my unworthiness, on whom my lord has conferred such high honour?”
Dohâ 345
Kosala’s king in return showed the profoundest respect to the father of the bride and his retinue; and as they embraced with mutual courtesy their heart could not contain the love they felt.
Chaupâi
Janak bowed his head to the throng of saints and received a blessing from all. Next he reverently saluted his sons-in-law, the four brothers, each a treasure of beauty, amiability, and accomplishments; and clasping his gracious lotus hands he cried in accents begotten of love: “O Rama, how can I tell Thy praise; swan of the Manas lake of the saints and Mahadeva’s soul; for whose sake ascetics practise their asceticism; devoid of anger, infatuation, selfishness and pride; the all-pervading Brahm, the invisible, the immortal, the supreme spirit, at once the sum and negation of all qualities; whom neither words nor fancy can portray; whom all philosophy fails to expound; whose greatness the divine oracles declare unutterable, and who remainest the self-same in all time, past, present, or future?”
The gods rained down flowers, the heavenly nymphs sang for joy, as the king of Avadh set forth for his capital midst the clash of jubilant music.
Chaupâi
Courteously the king dismissed the burghers and reverently bade all the mendicants approach and bestowed upon them ornaments and clothes and horses and elephants, and affectionately cherishing them made them stand up before him. After again and again reciting his praises they turned home with Rama in their heart. Though Kosala’s lord spoke time after time, Janak in his exceeding love would not turn back. Once more said the king in gracious tones: “I beg you to turn back, sire; you have come a great distance.” At last he dismounted and remained standing, his eyes overflowing with love’s torrent. Then said Videha’s lord with folded hands and in a voice fraught with the ambrosia of affection: “How can I fitly express my unworthiness, on whom my lord has conferred such high honour?”
Dohâ 345
Kosala’s king in return showed the profoundest respect to the father of the bride and his retinue; and as they embraced with mutual courtesy their heart could not contain the love they felt.
Chaupâi
Janak bowed his head to the throng of saints and received a blessing from all. Next he reverently saluted his sons-in-law, the four brothers, each a treasure of beauty, amiability, and accomplishments; and clasping his gracious lotus hands he cried in accents begotten of love: “O Rama, how can I tell Thy praise; swan of the Manas lake of the saints and Mahadeva’s soul; for whose sake ascetics practise their asceticism; devoid of anger, infatuation, selfishness and pride; the all-pervading Brahm, the invisible, the immortal, the supreme spirit, at once the sum and negation of all qualities; whom neither words nor fancy can portray; whom all philosophy fails to expound; whose greatness the divine oracles declare unutterable, and who remainest the self-same in all time, past, present, or future?”
Dohâ 346
Source of every joy, thou hast revealed thyself to my material vision; for nothing in the world is beyond the reach of him to whom God is propitious.
Chaupâi
Thou hast magnified me in every way, and recognizing me as one of thy servants hast made me thine very own. Not ten thousand Saradas and Seshnags, though they kept up their count for a myriad ages, could tell all my good fortune or Thy perfections; know this, O Raghunath: yet I have somewhat to say—for I have this ground of confidence that thou art easily appeased by the slightest evidence of affection—and therefore time after time I implore with clasped hands that never may my soul be deluded into deserting Thy feet.” On hearing these excellent sentiments, the true birth of devotion, even Rama, in whom all pleasure ever dwells, was pleased and with much courtesy saluted his father-in-law, holding him equal to his own sire, or Visvamitra, or Vasishta. Next he bowed himself before Bharat and affectionately embraced him and gave him his blessing.
Dohâ 347
Then the king embraced and blessed both Lakshman and Satrughna, and all again and again bowed the head, being overpowered with mutual love.
Source of every joy, thou hast revealed thyself to my material vision; for nothing in the world is beyond the reach of him to whom God is propitious.
Chaupâi
Thou hast magnified me in every way, and recognizing me as one of thy servants hast made me thine very own. Not ten thousand Saradas and Seshnags, though they kept up their count for a myriad ages, could tell all my good fortune or Thy perfections; know this, O Raghunath: yet I have somewhat to say—for I have this ground of confidence that thou art easily appeased by the slightest evidence of affection—and therefore time after time I implore with clasped hands that never may my soul be deluded into deserting Thy feet.” On hearing these excellent sentiments, the true birth of devotion, even Rama, in whom all pleasure ever dwells, was pleased and with much courtesy saluted his father-in-law, holding him equal to his own sire, or Visvamitra, or Vasishta. Next he bowed himself before Bharat and affectionately embraced him and gave him his blessing.
Dohâ 347
Then the king embraced and blessed both Lakshman and Satrughna, and all again and again bowed the head, being overpowered with mutual love.