Of the jungle the lion is the king,

Terror just from his roar he can bring.

In same way ruler enemies can defeat,

Thus lion’s symbols adorn his seat.

Simhasanas, thrones presented to his guests,

In hospitality Janaka always offered the best.

In human form Rama and Lakshmana their lordships,

Thus with his offerings king did wonderful worship.

Shri Rama with Janaka then always to stay,

By lifting bow and winning contest that day.

Commitment to hospitality is the host’s test,

Must make feel welcome and wanted the guest.

With fear over uncertain outcomes mind is harassed,

But burden on to arriving guests shouldn’t be passed.

Lament from vow consuming Janaka the host,

But resolve from him now required the most.

To give respect to his word the people he owed,

So visitors the svayamvara grounds he showed.

With fear over outcomes no need to be consumed,

From Shri Rama’s strength blissful end always assume.

Daughter Sita to Janaka is very dear,

That wrong husband chosen is underlying fear.

With announced contest of bow matter considered rectified,

Priests, counselors, friends and even king now satisfied.

Contest rules simple, first come first serve,

Lifting Shiva’s bow meant Sita they did deserve.

But if perfect match arrived Janaka did not consider,

The case with Rama, but on vow the king must deliver.

Thus there was worry that with vow he made a grave mistake,

But king relieved when Shiva’s bow in His hand Rama did take.

“Of King Dasharatha these sons are a delight,

Jewels of Raghu’s clan, enemies of saints they fight.

With their arrows the demons they will vanquish,

So that saints their daily trepidation can relinquish.”

With Vishvamitra to Janakpur they go,

So that Rama can lift Lord Shiva’s bow.

For everyone’s benefit are made the rules,

Pious path to help both the intelligent and the fools.

But must be punished the breakers of the law,

Otherwise no safety, system to exist with flaws.

Rama and Lakshmana thus to saints are friends,

Worthy punishment to their enemies they send.

In material nature everything with an aspect dual,

Good to some bad to others, with illusion it does fool.

But beyond duality is Brahman, a truth that is absolute,

Realize it by accepting the knowledge and austerity route.

Because elders difficult to teach, with change they are done,

Brahmacharya principles imbibed on those who are young.

King Janaka of Mithila dispassion his rule of life he made.

Though in royal opulence above duality he stayed.

But seeing muni’s protectors that were charming,

Felt supreme bliss, his videha stance harming.

Muni these doubts of the king to relieve,

“Rama and Lakshmana are Brahman, this fact you believe.”

Prahlada Maharaja says man does not know,

That his real self-interest is to Vishnu’s realm to go.

Svartha for sense gratification to acquire,

Paramartha for spiritual realm to aspire.

But in bhakti-yoga no such distinction,

For devotional service is desired condition.

With worldly life King Janaka thought he was done,

But changed when seeing visitors who had come.

Rama and Lakshmana, of beauty one couldn’t believe.

From attachment to them real self-interest receive.

To Rama and Lakshmana, Janaka’s eyes like a visual reader,

Posed questions to Vishvamitra, of munis a leader.

Amidst pageantry of occasion, playing bugles and drums,

These two boys emerged, but where did they come from?

One fair and one dark, of beauty so mysterious,

So of their family host king became curious.

From more information about Supreme Lord we know,

Certainly our appreciation for Him will grow.

Beautiful picture for Janaka’s eyes a gift,

Shri Rama heavy bow of Shiva’s to lift.

Know that responsibility with everything you do,

Represent your character and your parents’ too.

Thus if you point your behavior in right direction,

On the merits of mother and father a good reflection.

Seeing Rama and Lakshmana, of their origin Janaka unsure,

But could guess that their parents were like an ocean pure.

Endless happiness to eyes that their forms see,

Thus boys appeared as if they were heavenly desire tree.

When your consciousness to divine realm you send,

The pious credits to your good parents will extend.

From contest where Shiva’s bow to lift,

Vision of Sita and Rama in Janaka’s mind to sit.

First all the royal families from around the world were called,

To Janaka’s capital city their royal entourages were hauled.

But two boys accompanying Vishvamitra were different,

Sparked full attraction in king who to world was indifferent.

Parents of the boys must be of purity an ocean,

Get to see children and their daily playful motion.

Piety brings God’s company, from Janaka’s thoughts believe,

Endless happiness from desire trees Rama and Lakshmana receive.

The objects of material world king did not like,

Knew that illusion only grew from their sight.

From attachment to maya the king to stay away,

This way avoid influence of ignorance’s sway.

Yet this all to change in just one instant,

Upon seeing beautiful forms for eyes so pleasant.

Now the creator had to be praised,

For these two lovely youths he had made.

Of course no one created Rama and Lakshmana,

But sublime lesson to take from incident’s fun.