Queens of King Dasharatha so very beautiful,

Full of auspicious traits and jewels bountiful.

The news of Vishvamitra’s visit to palace hearing,

Queens their sons to the sage’s feet with them bringing.

No need to cajole, pleased to see muni from the start,

Arrived at his lotus feet with happy hearts.

King’s vow is the wise brahmanas to always protect,

Because of their wisdom their wise words can’t reject.

With Vishvamitra’s request king’s vow would be tested,

But auspiciousness to come from what muni suggested.

Happiness did sage Vishvamitra find,

Upon meeting king who also joyful in mind.

The association of the saint for him so treasured,

That the resulting spiritual merits could not be measured.

Treading the righteous path can be rough,

To stay determined in opposition tough.

Thus so joyful to meet someone who appreciates,

Your work, dedication to piety they validate.

Dasharatha and Vishvamitra’s mutual feelings,

Measure of joy unknown from only seeing.

Two saintly figures in motion set the wheels,

For Rama joining Sita, of beauty surreal.

When sage visited little did king know,

That from his home eldest son would soon go.

From good deeds one earns pious credits,

From sage’s visit king couldn’t count merits.

To have dust from lotus feet of devotee,

Great blessing, divine vision soon to see.

With king pious credits to cause separation,

From son Rama, to serve as sage’s protection.

Never mind, for the move to do good to all,

Mighty night-rangers to suffer terrible fall.

With God’s arrangement no chances missed,

For all the pieces fall to His wish.

With peaceful sages night-rangers fought,

This to Ayodhya son of Gadhi brought.

King Dasharatha, free of vice and malice,

Welcomed Vishvamitra to his palace.

With Rama by his side safe would sage be,

Though reluctant, Dasharatha had to agree.

With him Rama and Lakshmana the muni took,

King Janaka’s town at God’s face soon to have a look.

Kings and their families have arrived for fun,

So loud is the singing and beating of drums.

Came for hopes that their family may Sita wed,

Witnessed history of Rama’s act instead.

For Sita Lord Shiva’s dearest is only husband,

Thus not surprising that Rama bow contest would win.

With song and dance emotions no longer hide,

So happy was ceremony that words can’t describe.

Neti neti for devotee is greatest blessing,

Allows for constant praise of God continuing.

Guests to the home one likes to invite,

Hope that in hospitality they delight.

Others with more guests makes one jealous,

“What could their home possibly have on us?”

With king increased is responsibility,

To host unlimited guests kingdom’s ability.

Many kings did Janaka to home welcome,

Size of crowd in and out just awesome.

Jealous kings the reward of their eyes to take,

When Sita wedded Rama, who bow did break.

Stare at something long and get attachment,

To possess cherished item life’s attainment.

Visitors to Janaka’s ceremony this way felt,

From vision of bow and arena hearts did melt.

Finding baby Sita Janaka was charmed,

Attachment to her piety not harmed.

Rather love for her brought God to him,

When Rama bow’s contest did win.

Even failed suitors were there to witness,

Union of Sita and Rama, eyes to bless.

The svayamvara held by Janaka at the center,

Of attention in Tirahuta, many princes do enter.

While some are arriving, others are in between,

And some are just starting, so glorious the scene.

Line keeps moving like a conveyor belt,

Failing to move bow dejection suitors felt.

Shri Rama, the prince of Raghu’s fame,

Arrived on scene for Sita’s hand to gain.

Lifting Mahadeva’s bow Janaki He deserved,

Sita found perfect match, Janaka’s vow preserved.

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.