“Vishvamitra then instructed Janaka, telling him to allow the sun of the sun family to look at Lord Shiva’s bow.” (Janaki Mangala, 90) kausika janakahiṃ kaheu dehu anusāsana | dekhi bhānu kula bhānu isānu sarāsana || Download this episode (right… Read More ›
“Unable to get the desired result, some made an excuse and stayed where they were, while others went to see the bow. Like a monkey examining a coconut, they each sat back down with their heads hanging down.” (Janaki Mangala,… Read More ›
“Then Janaka’s vow was announced to the people. The kings arose excited, but none could get the desired result of lifting the bow.” (Janaki Mangala, 88) taba bideha pana bandinha pragaṭa sunāyau | uṭhe bhūpa āmaraṣi saguna nahiṃ pāyau ||… Read More ›
“Sometimes the people are looking at Sita and sometimes at Rama. Having beauty and respected ancestries, the people are praising the unique combination.” (Janaki Mangala, 83) chinu sītahiṃ chinu rāmahi purajana dekhahiṃ | rūpa sīla baya bansa biseṣa biseṣahiṃ ||… Read More ›
“Wherever Sita’s beautiful form goes, others follow with their eyes, like blue-lotus arrows flying from Kamadeva’s bow.” (Janaki Mangala, 82) rūpa rāsi jehi ora subhāyam̐ nihārai | nīla kamala sara śreni mayana janu ḍārai || One of the many names… Read More ›
“With auspicious jewelry and beautiful clothes on the body she is looking beautiful. Looking at her, the foolish kings are illusioned by the illusion.” (Janaki Mangala, 81) mangala bhūṣana basana manju tana sohahīṃ | dekhi mūḍha mahipāla moha basa mohahiṃ… Read More ›
“Hearing of the muni’s greatness, patience came to the queen. Then her friends told her of Rama’s feat of slaying Subahu.” (Janaki Mangala, 78) A justifiable fear for a person starting out in devotional service, or bhakti-yoga, is that through… Read More ›
“Hearing of the muni’s greatness, patience came to the queen. Then her friends told her of Rama’s feat of slaying Subahu.” (Janaki Mangala, 78) Okay, so you’ve been working on something for a while now. This something can be anything,… Read More ›
“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 ›
“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 ›