“O Devi, leave aside your doubts and bring happiness to your heart. Have faith in these words: Rama will string the bow.” (Janaki Mangala, 76) The foundation of the Ramayana is the idea of investing full faith and confidence in… Read More ›
janaki mangala
What Are Friends For
“Now in confusion, no words are coming to the queen. Seeing her worried and in thought, her friends are trying to make her understand.” (Janaki Mangala, 75) You’re too invested in the outcome to think straight. Desire strengthens to the… Read More ›
Blaming the Creator
“If the Creator had not given our eyes the gift of the guest Rama, then no one would have blamed the king for the result.” (Janaki Mangala, 74) It’s natural to lament when you’re caught in an unfavorable situation. You… Read More ›
Two Worlds Colliding
“The queen lovingly said to her friends in amazement, ‘How heavy is Shiva’s bow and how soft and gentle is the form of this prince.’” (Janaki Mangala, 73) A youth is not expected to be strong. When the child first… Read More ›
The Wrong Outcome
“Staring at Rama’s divine beauty made Sita’s mother so happy in the heart. She says, ‘This bow is heavy and this youth is tender, so the Creator desires the wrong outcome.’” (Janaki Mangala, Chand 9.2) siya mātu haraṣī nirakhi suṣamā… Read More ›
Friends of the Queen
“Their faces shining like lightning are so beautiful that they defeat the pride of Rati. The queen and her friends are looking at the two princes with the muni, a picture that enchants the mind.” (Janaki Mangala, Chand 9.1) janu… Read More ›
Shining Like Lightning
“From their window perch, the wives of the royal court are peeking out. While talking, their shiny teeth look like lightning.” (Janaki Mangala, 72) lāgi jharokhanha jhānkahiṃ bhūpati bhāmini | kahata bacana rada lasahiṃ damaka janu dāmini || In this… Read More ›
I Will Write You a Song
“Today Rama will definitely lift the bow, and the three worlds will sing of the supreme auspiciousness of the marriage with excitement.” (Janaki Mangala, 71) ajahum̐ avasi raghunandana cāpa caḍhāuba | byāha uchāha sumangala gāuba || If you really want… Read More ›
Strange Are His Ways
“If he now abandons his oath, after having announced it to the people, his infamy would spread throughout the world. No one knows the ways of the creator.” (Janaki Mangala, 70) aba kari paija panca maham̐ jo pana tyāgai |… Read More ›
King’s Oath
“If the king had first heard of Rama’s wonderful qualities and beauty, he would have called for Sita to marry Him, and nobody would have faulted him for it.” (Janaki Mangala, 69) prathama sunata jo rāu rāma guna-rūpahiṃ | boli… Read More ›