Night-rangers, gods and demons to Janakpur flow,

For witnessing Sita’s marriage they are all ready to go.

Each species has modes of nature in combination,

For them all Janaka’s contest drew their attention.

By Janaka’s daughter the whole world was impressed,

That even snakes dressed as kings so wedding not missed.

For the host, a son-in-law like from heaven sent,

To wed Janaki was only Shri Rama meant.

Interest in svayamvara for creatures not in vain,

Sight of union of Sita and Rama their eyes gained.

From countries spread out far and wide,

Massive armies to Janakpur arrived.

Having tremendous chivalry and beauty,

And belonging to most famous ancestry,

The princes for king’s daughter hand did vie,

For an elegant princess each was qualified.

Like Indra leading the demigods scene did appear,

But only man to wed Sita, the remover of fear.

Dasharatha’s son proved His worth by bow’s lift,

That treasurable moment the sincere heart’s gift.

“The King of Janakpur has made a solemn vow,

Lifter of bow marriage to Sita he will allow.

On path of righteousness that king remains steady,

So let our family, provisions and carts be ready.

To Janakpur we will all travel,

In joyous occasion let our hearts revel.”

Thus arriving in the city were kings in a throng,

To try to lift bow that to Shiva did belong.

From what they would see from that road trip,

Made the difficult travel worth it.

Seeing Sita and Rama, God and His wife,

Married in splendor, vision to keep for life.

After of Lord Shiva’s bow taking vow,

Time for preparing for svayamvara now.

Upon seeing end result onlookers found,

That supremely beautiful was the ground.

Looked like four-faced creator from his abode,

Every one of his creating abilities showed.

Grand pomp deserved for fortune’s goddess Lakshmi,

Place where God to reunite with wife Sita Devi.

“My precious daughter is now at an age appropriate,

For marriage, to be given to a husband is she now fit.

But in qualities Sita is like no other,

The jewel of this earth is my beloved daughter.

Let me consult with my gurus and family,

Their opinion on the matter let me see.”

Hold a svayamvara, self-choice was what they advised,

With that King Janaka a contest with bow devised.

“Whoever can lift Mahadeva’s bow will win,

Hand of Sita, in whom exists not a hint of sin.”

Janaka was pious but devotion is what he followed,

To earn eternal fame and virtue for him this allowed.

Gained company of Rama, God in His sight,

He who married Sita, of the devotee’s heart delight.

Something as auspicious do I take,

But not for others also does it make.

One side is looking for much wealth,

While another wants less for mental health.

That Janaka found greatest fortune is true,

Gives happiness to all men, both me and you.

Chance to love Sita in affection, God’s wife,

Keeps flame of bhakti alive, gives eternal life.

Keep on searching past, present and future,

But won’t find man like Janaka, king like no other.

King’s greatest fortune came from Sita alone,

For she would bring Shri Hari to his home.

Travel back in time and all kings do you study,

Review their characteristics and natures carefully.

Keep on searching but none like Janaka will you find,

Who always kept the welfare of Sita in mind.

Obvious that he was king that Tulsidas did prefer,

With poet’s sentiment we wholeheartedly concur.

With task of praising so many saints writer does fight,

Yet mahajana king honored when Janaki name you recite.

From anger, vice, attachment and greed,

Was the famous King Janaka totally free.

From practicing yoga his detachment had grown,

Yet had love for Sita when he found her all alone.

So famous was the leader of men during his time,

That for daughter’s marriage people arrived in a line.

To see her wed the man to lift Lord Shiva’s bow,

They came from far and wide, thus anticipation did grow.

Send the mind back to that famous time and place,

Remember King Janaka and daughter of pleasing face.

To follow material or spiritual life we have the choice,

Just think of God and His devotees for heart to rejoice.

Janakpur is the most auspicious place,

For its earth did Sita Devi grace.

She is the goddess of fortune, giver of delight,

Divine is her vision, so sweet is her sight.

Residents felt all types of happiness,

Having her around, joyful was even sadness.

Day of ceremony Shri Rama they got to see,

With brother Lakshmana, devoted to Rama was he.

Seeing two princes arrive that day,

Felt boundless joy coming their way.

In bhakti life anything but dull,

Vision of Lord supremely delightful.

Of all good things in Janakpur Sita was the center,

Allowed for residents path of liberation to enter.

Tilaka is the sacred mark to treasure,

Reminds one of Vishnu, reservoir of pleasure.

The tilaka on the head Vaishnavas do show,

So that their link to Vishnu others can know.

Tulsidas says that earth of Tirahut is the tilaka,

Place where Sita lived with father Janaka.

Hosted the greatest marriage of all time,

Brought princes from around the world, every kind.

Land earned tilaka status with Rama’s arrival,

His lifting of Shiva’s bow, secured Sita’s nuptial.

Works of the saints are like travelling pilgrimage place,

Its pages bring God’s company, put smile on the face.

Janaka forever celebrated for his pious nature,

His ceremony for Sita’s wedding mind’s treasure.