Bala Kanda · Sarga 71 of 77 · 24 verses
Janaka’s Line; Sita and Urmila Promised
Janaka replies: one who gives a bride must also declare his family in full. He recites his line: Nimi, renowned for righteousness; his son Mithi; Mithi’s son Janaka, the first king of that name; then Udavasu, Nandivardhana, Suketu, Devarata, Brihadratha, Mahavira, Sudhriti, Dhrishtaketu, Haryashva, Maru, Pratindhaka, Kirtiratha, Devamidha, Vibudha, Mahidhraka, Kirtirata, Maharoma, Svarnaroma and Hrasvaroma, whose sons are Janaka himself and his younger brother Kushadhvaja. His father crowned him, entrusted Kushadhvaja to him, and went to the forest.
Later King Sudhanva of Sankashya besieged Mithila, demanding Shiva’s bow and the lotus-eyed Sita; Janaka refused, killed him in battle, and made Kushadhvaja king of Sankashya. “Most gladly I give you two brides: Sita, won by valour, like a daughter of the gods, for Rama, and my second daughter Urmila for Lakshmana. I say it three times; there is no doubt.” He asks Dasharatha to have the godana rite performed for Rama and Lakshmana and the rites for the ancestors, and then the wedding: today the moon is in Magha; on the third day, under Uttara Phalguni, let the marriage take place.
Press › to begin with verse 1.
एवं ब्रुवाणं जनकः प्रत्युवाच कृताञ्जलिः । श्रोतुमर्हसि भद्रं ते कुलं नः परिकीर्तितम् ॥ १ ॥
To him speaking so, Janaka replied with joined palms: “Bless you; please hear our family recited.
ऐसा कहने वाले उनसे जनक ने हाथ जोड़कर उत्तर दिया: “आपका कल्याण हो; कृपया हमारे कुल का वर्णन सुनिए।
Commentary on the whole sarga
Janaka’s Line; Sita and Urmila Promised 1 min read.
Read the commentary CommentaryNot scripture Janaka answers with joined palms: “Hear our family.” A marriage joins two lineages; each must be declared.
Scene 1 of 2 · Janaka recites his own line, from King Nimi to himself and his brother Kushadhvaja.
प्रदाने हि मुनिश्रेष्ठ कुलं निरवशेषतः । वक्तव्यं कुलजातेन तन्निबोध महामते ॥ २ ॥
“In giving a bride, best of sages, one born of a family must declare that family completely. Hear it, wise one.
“मुनिश्रेष्ठ, कन्या देते समय कुल में जन्मे व्यक्ति को अपना कुल पूरा बताना चाहिए। बुद्धिमान, सुनिए।
CommentaryNot scripture “One who gives a bride must declare his family completely.” This was the formal custom of a royal marriage.
Scene 1 of 2 · Janaka recites his own line, from King Nimi to himself and his brother Kushadhvaja.
राजाभूत् त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुतः स्वेन कर्मणा । निमिः परमधर्मात्मा सर्वसत्त्ववतां वरः ॥ ३ ॥
“There was a king famed in the three worlds by his own deeds, Nimi, most righteous, best of all the strong.
“अपने कर्मों से तीनों लोकों में प्रसिद्ध निमि नाम के एक राजा थे, अत्यंत धर्मात्मा, सब बलवानों में श्रेष्ठ।
CommentaryNot scripture Nimi, founder of the Videha line, famous in three worlds. (His name is linked with nimesha , the blink of an eye, in a later legend.)
Scene 1 of 2 · Janaka recites his own line, from King Nimi to himself and his brother Kushadhvaja.
तस्य पुत्रो मिथिर्नाम जनको मिथिपुत्रकः । प्रथमो जनको राजा जनकादप्युदावसुः ॥ ४ ॥
“His son was named Mithi, and Mithi’s son was Janaka, the first king called Janaka; from Janaka came Udavasu.
“उनके पुत्र का नाम मिथि था, और मिथि के पुत्र जनक थे, जनक कहलाने वाले पहले राजा; जनक से उदावसु हुए।
CommentaryNot scripture Mithi gives the city of Mithila its name. His son is the first king called Janaka, which became a title for all the kings of this line. Sita’s father is one Janaka among many.
Scene 1 of 2 · Janaka recites his own line, from King Nimi to himself and his brother Kushadhvaja.
उदावसोस्तु धर्मात्मा जातो वै नन्दिवर्धनः । नन्दिवर्धसुतः शूरः सुकेतुर्नाम नामतः ॥ ५ ॥
“Of Udavasu was born the righteous Nandivardhana; Nandivardhana’s son was the brave one named Suketu.
“उदावसु से धर्मात्मा नंदिवर्धन उत्पन्न हुए; नंदिवर्धन के पुत्र सुकेतु नाम के वीर थे।
CommentaryNot scripture Udavasu, Nandivardhana, Suketu.
Scene 1 of 2 · Janaka recites his own line, from King Nimi to himself and his brother Kushadhvaja.
सुकेतोरपि धर्मात्मा देवरातो महाबलः । देवरातस्य राजर्षेर्बृहद्रथ इति स्मृतः ॥ ६ ॥
“Of Suketu was born the righteous and mighty Devarata; the royal sage Devarata’s son is remembered as Brihadratha.
“सुकेतु से धर्मात्मा और बलवान देवरात उत्पन्न हुए; राजर्षि देवरात के पुत्र बृहद्रथ के नाम से स्मरण किए जाते हैं।
CommentaryNot scripture Devarata, who received Shiva’s bow in trust (sarga 66). The bow has been in the family since his time.
Scene 1 of 2 · Janaka recites his own line, from King Nimi to himself and his brother Kushadhvaja.
बृहद्रथस्य शूरोऽभून्महावीरः प्रतापवान् । महावीरस्य धृतिमान् सुधृतिः सत्यविक्रमः ॥ ७ ॥
“Of Brihadratha came the brave, valiant Mahavira; Mahavira’s son was the steadfast Sudhriti, of true valour.
“बृहद्रथ से वीर, पराक्रमी महावीर हुए; महावीर के पुत्र धैर्यवान, सत्य-पराक्रमी सुधृति थे।
CommentaryNot scripture Brihadratha, Mahavira, Sudhriti.
Scene 1 of 2 · Janaka recites his own line, from King Nimi to himself and his brother Kushadhvaja.
सुधृतेरपि धर्मात्मा धृष्टकेतुः सुधार्मिकः । धृष्टकेतोश्च राजर्षेर्हर्यश्व इति विश्रुतः ॥ ८ ॥
“Of Sudhriti came the righteous, most virtuous Dhrishtaketu; of the royal sage Dhrishtaketu, the one known as Haryashva.
“सुधृति से धर्मात्मा, अत्यंत गुणवान धृष्टकेतु हुए; राजर्षि धृष्टकेतु से हर्यश्व नाम से प्रसिद्ध पुत्र हुए।
CommentaryNot scripture Dhrishtaketu, Haryashva.
Scene 1 of 2 · Janaka recites his own line, from King Nimi to himself and his brother Kushadhvaja.
हर्यश्वस्य मरुः पुत्रो मरोः पुत्रः प्रतीन्धकः । प्रतीन्धकस्य धर्मात्मा राजा कीर्तिरथः सुतः ॥ ९ ॥
“Haryashva’s son was Maru, Maru’s son Pratindhaka; Pratindhaka’s son was the righteous King Kirtiratha.
“हर्यश्व के पुत्र मरु थे, मरु के पुत्र प्रतींधक; प्रतींधक के पुत्र धर्मात्मा राजा कीर्तिरथ थे।
CommentaryNot scripture Maru, Pratindhaka, Kirtiratha.
Scene 1 of 2 · Janaka recites his own line, from King Nimi to himself and his brother Kushadhvaja.
पुत्रः कीर्तिरथस्यापि देवमीढ इति स्मृतः । देवमीढस्य विबुधो विबुधस्य महीध्रकः ॥ १० ॥
“Kirtiratha’s son is remembered as Devamidha; Devamidha’s son was Vibudha, and Vibudha’s was Mahidhraka.
“कीर्तिरथ के पुत्र देवमीढ के नाम से स्मरण किए जाते हैं; देवमीढ के पुत्र विबुध थे, और विबुध के महीध्रक।
CommentaryNot scripture Devamidha, Vibudha, Mahidhraka.
Scene 1 of 2 · Janaka recites his own line, from King Nimi to himself and his brother Kushadhvaja.
महीध्रकसुतो राजा कीर्तिरातो महाबलः । कीर्तिरातस्य राजर्षेर्महारोमा व्यजायत ॥ ११ ॥
“Mahidhraka’s son was the mighty King Kirtirata; of the royal sage Kirtirata was born Maharoma.
“महीध्रक के पुत्र बलवान राजा कीर्तिरात थे; राजर्षि कीर्तिरात से महारोमा उत्पन्न हुए।
CommentaryNot scripture Kirtirata, Maharoma.
Scene 1 of 2 · Janaka recites his own line, from King Nimi to himself and his brother Kushadhvaja.
महारोम्णस्तु धर्मात्मा स्वर्णरोमा व्यजायत । स्वर्णरोम्णस्तु राजर्षेर्ह्रस्वरोमा व्यजायत ॥ १२ ॥
“Of Maharoma was born the righteous Svarnaroma; of the royal sage Svarnaroma was born Hrasvaroma.
“महारोमा से धर्मात्मा स्वर्णरोमा उत्पन्न हुए; राजर्षि स्वर्णरोमा से ह्रस्वरोमा उत्पन्न हुए।
CommentaryNot scripture Svarnaroma, Hrasvaroma, Janaka’s father. The names have a pleasant music: roma , “hair”, repeated as in a family nickname.
Scene 1 of 2 · Janaka recites his own line, from King Nimi to himself and his brother Kushadhvaja.
तस्य पुत्रद्वयं राज्ञो धर्मज्ञस्य महात्मनः । ज्येष्ठोऽहमनुजो भ्राता मम वीरः कुशध्वजः ॥ १३ ॥
“That righteous, great-souled king had two sons: I am the elder, and my younger brother is the hero Kushadhvaja.
“उन धर्मात्मा, महात्मा राजा के दो पुत्र थे: मैं बड़ा हूँ, और मेरे छोटे भाई वीर कुशध्वज हैं।
CommentaryNot scripture Two sons: Janaka the elder and Kushadhvaja the younger. Two brothers, like Rama and Lakshmana.
Scene 1 of 2 · Janaka recites his own line, from King Nimi to himself and his brother Kushadhvaja.
मां तु ज्येष्ठं पिता राज्ये सोऽभिषिच्य पिता मम । कुशध्वजं समावेश्य भारं मयि वनं गतः ॥ १४ ॥
“My father consecrated me, the elder, in the kingdom, entrusted Kushadhvaja to me as my charge, and went to the forest.
“मेरे पिता ने मुझ बड़े को राज्य पर अभिषिक्त किया, कुशध्वज को मेरे संरक्षण में सौंपा, और वन चले गए।
CommentaryNot scripture His father crowned him, entrusted Kushadhvaja to his care, and left for the forest.
Scene 1 of 2 · Janaka recites his own line, from King Nimi to himself and his brother Kushadhvaja.
वृद्धे पितरि स्वर्याते धर्मेण धुरमावहम् । भ्रातरं देवसंकाशं स्नेहात् पश्यन् कुशध्वजम् ॥ १५ ॥
“When my aged father went to heaven, I bore the burden by dharma, looking on my godlike brother Kushadhvaja with love.
“जब मेरे वृद्ध पिता स्वर्ग चले गए, तब मैंने अपने देवता जैसे भाई कुशध्वज को प्रेम से देखते हुए धर्म से भार उठाया।
CommentaryNot scripture Janaka ruled and cared for his brother “with love”. Brotherly love is everywhere in this kanda.
Scene 1 of 2 · Janaka recites his own line, from King Nimi to himself and his brother Kushadhvaja.
कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य सांकाश्यादागतः पुरात् । सुधन्वा वीर्यवान् राजा मिथिलामवरोधकः ॥ १६ ॥
“After some time a valiant king, Sudhanva, came from the city of Sankashya and besieged Mithila.
“कुछ समय बाद सांकाश्या नगरी से सुधन्वा नाम का एक पराक्रमी राजा आया और मिथिला को घेर लिया।
CommentaryNot scripture Sudhanva of Sankashya besieged Mithila.
Scene 1 of 2 · Janaka recites his own line, from King Nimi to himself and his brother Kushadhvaja.
स च मे प्रेषयामास शैवं धनुरनुत्तमम् । सीता च कन्या पद्माक्षी मह्यं वै दीयतामिति ॥ १७ ॥
“He sent word to me: ‘Let the unsurpassed bow of Shiva and the lotus-eyed maiden Sita be given to me.’
“उसने मुझे संदेश भेजा: ‘शिव का अनुपम धनुष और कमल-नयनी कन्या सीता मुझे दी जाएँ।’
CommentaryNot scripture He demanded the bow and Sita. Another suitor who tried force instead of valour.
Scene 1 of 2 · Janaka recites his own line, from King Nimi to himself and his brother Kushadhvaja.
तस्याप्रदानान्महर्षे युद्धमासीन्मया सह । स हतोऽभिमुखो राजा सुधन्वा तु मया रणे ॥ १८ ॥
“Because I would not give them, great sage, there was war between us, and King Sudhanva was killed by me in battle, facing me.
“महामुनि, मेरे न देने पर हमारे बीच युद्ध हुआ, और राजा सुधन्वा सामने लड़ते हुए युद्ध में मेरे द्वारा मारा गया।
CommentaryNot scripture War, and Sudhanva fell. Janaka, the philosopher-king, was also a warrior when he had to be.
Scene 1 of 2 · Janaka recites his own line, from King Nimi to himself and his brother Kushadhvaja.
निहत्य तं मुनिश्रेष्ठ सुधन्वानं नराधिपम् । सांकाश्ये भ्रातरं शूरमभ्यषिञ्चं कुशध्वजम् ॥ १९ ॥
“Having slain King Sudhanva, best of sages, I consecrated my heroic brother Kushadhvaja in Sankashya.
“मुनिश्रेष्ठ, राजा सुधन्वा को मारकर मैंने अपने वीर भाई कुशध्वज को सांकाश्या में अभिषिक्त किया।
CommentaryNot scripture He crowned Kushadhvaja in Sankashya. That is how his brother came to rule there.
Scene 1 of 2 · Janaka recites his own line, from King Nimi to himself and his brother Kushadhvaja.
कनीयानेष मे भ्राता अहं ज्येष्ठो महामुने । ददामि परमप्रीतो वध्वौ ते मुनिपुंगव ॥ २० ॥
“This is my younger brother; I am the elder, great sage. Most gladly, best of sages, I give you two brides:
“महामुनि, ये मेरे छोटे भाई हैं; मैं बड़ा हूँ। मुनिश्रेष्ठ, मैं बड़ी प्रसन्नता से आपको दो वधुएँ देता हूँ:
CommentaryNot scripture “Most gladly I give you two brides.”
Scene 2 of 2 · With joined palms Janaka promises Sita to Rama and Urmila to Lakshmana, saying it three times.
सीतां रामाय भद्रं ते ऊर्मिलां लक्ष्मणाय वै । वीर्यशुल्कां मम सुतां सीतां सुरसुतोपमाम् ॥ २१ ॥
द्वितीयामूर्मिलां चैव त्रिर्वदामि न संशयः । ददामि परमप्रीतो वध्वौ ते मुनिपुंगव ॥ २२ ॥
“Sita for Rama, bless you, and Urmila for Lakshmana. My daughter Sita, won by valour, like a daughter of the gods, and my second daughter Urmila: I say it three times, there is no doubt. Most gladly I give you two brides, best of sages.
“राम के लिए सीता, आपका कल्याण हो, और लक्ष्मण के लिए ऊर्मिला। पराक्रम से जीती गई, देवताओं की पुत्री जैसी मेरी पुत्री सीता, और मेरी दूसरी पुत्री ऊर्मिला: मैं तीन बार कहता हूँ, कोई संदेह नहीं। मुनिश्रेष्ठ, बड़ी प्रसन्नता से मैं आपको दो वधुएँ देता हूँ।
CommentaryNot scripture Sita for Rama, Urmila for Lakshmana. Urmila, Janaka’s own daughter by birth, is often called the silent heroine of the Ramayana: she stays behind for fourteen years when Lakshmana follows Rama. “I say it three times”: a solemn, binding promise.
Scene 2 of 2 · With joined palms Janaka promises Sita to Rama and Urmila to Lakshmana, saying it three times.
रामलक्ष्मणयो राजन् गोदानं कारयस्व ह । पितृकार्यं च भद्रं ते ततो वैवाहिकं कुरु ॥ २३ ॥
“King, have the godana rite performed for Rama and Lakshmana, and the rites for the ancestors, bless you; then perform the wedding.
“राजन, राम और लक्ष्मण का गोदान संस्कार और पितरों के कर्म करवाइए, आपका कल्याण हो; फिर विवाह कीजिए।
CommentaryNot scripture First the godana (a rite marking a young man’s coming of age, with a gift of cows) and the ancestral rites. Then the wedding.
Scene 2 of 2 · With joined palms Janaka promises Sita to Rama and Urmila to Lakshmana, saying it three times.
मघा ह्यद्य महाबाहो तृतीयदिवसे प्रभो । फल्गुन्यामुत्तरे राजंस्तस्मिन् वैवाहिकं कुरु । रामलक्ष्मणयोरर्थे दानं कार्यं सुखोदयम् ॥ २४ ॥
“Today the moon is in Magha, mighty-armed one; on the third day, lord, under Uttara Phalguni, king, perform the wedding. Let the gift be made for Rama and Lakshmana, bringing happiness.”
“महाबाहु, आज चंद्रमा मघा नक्षत्र में है; प्रभु, तीसरे दिन उत्तरा फाल्गुनी में, राजन, विवाह कीजिए। राम और लक्ष्मण के लिए सुख लाने वाला दान हो।”
CommentaryNot scripture The moon is in Magha today; in three days, under Uttara Phalguni, an auspicious star for marriage, the wedding will take place. Even the stars are consulted.
Scene 2 of 2 · With joined palms Janaka promises Sita to Rama and Urmila to Lakshmana, saying it three times.
