Ayodhya Kaanda
101 - King Janakaís arrival at Citrakuta; the Kolas and Kiratas offer presents to the visitors and all meet one another
Chaupais
Description
Can the darkness of infatuation and attachment ever approach him (King Janaka), the sun of whose wisdom drives away the night of metempsychosis and the rays of whose speech delight the lotus-like sages? That he too was plunged in grief shows the triumph of the affection he bore for his daughter, Sita and Her lord, Sri Rama. According to the Vedas there are three types of embodied soul (human beings) in the world-the sensual, the seeker and the wise who have attained perfection (in the form of GodRealization). Of all these he alone is highly honoured in an assembly of holy men, whose heart is sweetened by love for Sri Rama. Wisdom without love for Sri Rama is imperfect like a vessel without the helmsman. The sage Vasistha admonished King Videha in many ways; and now all the people bathed at the ghat associated with the name of Sri ªRama (who generally bathed and said His prayers there). All the men and women were so overwhelmed with grief that the day passed without anyone taking a drop of water. Even the cattle, birds and deer remained without food, to say nothing of Sri Rama's near and dear ones.