Baal Kaanda
48 - Sita's entry into the pavilion
Chaupais
Description
Beholding Sri Rama's beauty and Sita's loveliness men and women alike forgot to close their eyelids. All of them felt anxious in their heart but hesitated to speak; they inwardly prayed to the Creator, "Quickly take away, O Creator, Janaka's stupidity and give him right understanding like ours, so that the king without the least scruple may abandon his vow and give Sita in marriage to Rama. The world will speak well of him and the idea will find favour with all. On the other hand, if he persists in his folly, he shall have to rue it in the end. Everyone is absorbed in the ardent feeling that the dark-complexioned youth is a suitable match for Janaka's daughter." Then Janaka summoned the heralds, and they came eulogizing his race. The king said, "Go round and proclaim my vow." Forthwith they proceeded on their mission; there was not a little joy in their heart.