Prakarana 27
This Sopāna is the awakening of bhakti through ‘darśana’ and ‘parīkṣā’: the soul witnesses the Lord’s effortless supremacy (bow-breaking) and learns that egoic strength collapses before grace. Bālakāṇḍa functions as the entry-stair where śraddhā becomes lived experience—devotion is born not from argument but from a heart pierced by beauty (rūpa-mādhurya) and moral clarity (dharma).
In this Bālakāṇḍa segment (Sītā’s svayaṃvara and the breaking of Śiva’s bow), the dominant rasa is adbhuta, shaded by śṛṅgāra and vīra, and swiftly turning toward hāsya/raudra as petty kings flare in wounded pride. Tulasīdāsa choreographs emotion as spiritual pedagogy: wonder opens the heart (“all the people stood as if painted in a picture”), love becomes palpable in Sītā’s inward turmoil, and the Lord’s līlā resolves cosmic and social tension in a single sound—the hard, resounding crack that fills the worlds. Theologically, the scene is a miniature Manas: Śiva’s bow is the ocean and the ship, and Rāma’s arm is the pāra-gāmī power; crossing is possible only by surrender, not by worldly “boatmen.” The episode also prepares the next stair: Paraśurāma’s arrival tests whether strength is rooted in ahaṅkāra or in dharma-bhakti. Thus the Bālakāṇḍa here establishes the Manas’s core claim: the Saguna Lord’s beauty and play are themselves liberating knowledge.
Verses
Chaupai 260.1-4
दिसकुंजरहु कमठ अहि कोला।धरहु धरनि धरि धीर न डोला।।
रामु चहहिं संकर धनु तोरा।होहु सजग सुनि आयसु मोरा।।
चाप सपीप रामु जब आए।नर नारिन्ह सुर सुकृत मनाए।।
सब कर संसउ अरु अग्यानू।मंद महीपन्ह कर अभिमानू।।
भृगुपति केरि गरब गरुआई।सुर मुनिबरन्ह केरि कदराई।।
सिय कर सोचु जनक पछितावा।रानिन्ह कर दारुन दुख दावा।।
संभुचाप बड बोहितु पाई।चढे जाइ सब संगु बनाई।।
राम बाहुबल सिंधु अपारू।चहत पारु नहि कोउ कड़हारू।।
disakuṁjarahu kamaṭha ahi kolā |dharahu dharani dhari dhīra na ḍolā ||
rāmu cahahiṁ saṁkara dhanu torā |hohu sajaga suni āyasu morā ||
cāpa sapīpa rāmu jaba āe |nara nārinha sura sukṛta manāe ||
saba kara saṁsau aru agyānū |maṁda mahīpanha kara abhimānū ||
bhṛgupati keri garaba garuāī |sura munibaranha keri kadarāī ||
siya kara socu janaka pachitāvā |rāninha kara dāruna dukha dāvā ||
saṁbhucāpa baḍa bohitu pāī |caḍhe jāi saba saṁgu banāī ||
rāma bāhubala siṁdhu apārū |cahata pāru nahi kou kaṛahārū ||
O elephants of the quarters, O tortoise, serpent and boar, hold the earth firmly and steadily, so that it does not shake. Rama wishes to break Shankara's bow. Hear my command and be alert. When Rama came near the bow, the men and women prayed to the gods, offering their past merit. The doubt and ignorance of all, and the pride of the foolish kings, the heavy arrogance of Parashurama, the Lord of the Bhrigus, and the timidity of the gods and great sages, the anxiety of Sita, the remorse of Janaka, and the dreadful blaze of grief of the queens, all these, having found Shambhu's bow as a great boat, made their arrangements together and climbed aboard it. The strength of Rama's arm is the boundless ocean, and they wish to cross it, but there is no boatman.
Doha 260
राम बिलोके लोग सब चित्र लिखे से देखि।चितई सीय कृपायतन जानी बिकल बिसेषि।।260।।
rāma biloke loga saba citra likhe se dekhi |citaī sīya kṛpāyatana jānī bikala biseṣi ||260||
Rama looked at all the people and saw them standing as still as figures in a painting. Then the abode of mercy turned his gaze to Sita, and knew her to be especially distressed.
Chaupai 261.1-4
देखी बिपुल बिकल बैदेही।निमिष बिहात कलप सम तेही।।
तृषित बारि बिनु जो तनु त्यागा।मुएँ करइ का सुधा तड़ागा।।
का बरषा सब कृषी सुखानें।समय चुकें पुनि का पछितानें।।
अस जियँ जानि जानकी देखी।प्रभु पुलके लखि प्रीति बिसेषी।।
गुरहि प्रनामु मनहि मन कीन्हा।अति लाघवँ उठाइ धनु लीन्हा।।
दमकेउ दामिनि जिमि जब लयऊ।पुनि नभ धनु मंडल सम भयऊ।।
लेत चढ़ावत खैंचत गाढ़ें।काहुँ न लखा देख सबु ठाढ़ें।।
तेहि छन राम मध्य धनु तोरा।भरे भुवन धुनि घोर कठोरा।।
dekhī bipula bikala baidehī |nimiṣa bihāta kalapa sama tehī ||
tṛṣita bāri binu jo tanu tyāgā |muẽ karai kā sudhā taṛāgā ||
kā baraṣā saba kṛṣī sukhāneṁ |samaya cukeṁ puni kā pachitāneṁ ||
asa jiyã jāni jānakī dekhī |prabhu pulake lakhi prīti biseṣī ||
gurahi pranāmu manahi mana kīnhā |ati lāghavã uṭhāi dhanu līnhā ||
damakeu dāmini jimi jaba layaū |puni nabha dhanu maṁḍala sama bhayaū ||
leta caṛhāvata khaiṁcata gāṛheṁ |kāhũ na lakhā dekha sabu ṭhāṛheṁ ||
tehi chana rāma madhya dhanu torā |bhare bhuvana dhuni ghora kaṭhorā ||
He saw Sita, the daughter of Videha, greatly distraught; to her each passing moment was like an age. If one who is thirsty gives up his body for want of water, what can a lake of nectar do for him once he is dead? What use is rain when all the crops have dried up? And what use is regret once the moment has been missed? Thinking thus in his heart, the Lord looked at Janaki, and his body thrilled with joy as he saw her singular love. He bowed to his guru in his heart, and with great ease lifted the bow and took it up. When he took it up, it flashed like lightning; then, as he bent it, it became like the circle of the sky. As he lifted it, strung it and drew it taut, no one saw it, though all stood watching. In that very instant Rama broke the bow in the middle, and a dreadful, harsh roar filled the worlds.
Chhand 261
भरे भुवन घोर कठोर रव रबि बाजि तजि मारगु चले।चिक्करहिं दिग्गज डोल महि अहि कोल कूरुम कलमले।।
सुर असुर मुनि कर कान दीन्हें सकल बिकल बिचारहीं।कोदंड खंडेउ राम तुलसी जयति बचन उचारही।।
bhare bhuvana ghora kaṭhora rava rabi bāji taji māragu cale |cikkarahiṁ diggaja ḍola mahi ahi kola kūruma kalamale ||
sura asura muni kara kāna dīnheṁ sakala bikala bicārahīṁ |kodaṁḍa khaṁḍeu rāma tulasī jayati bacana ucārahī ||
A dreadful, harsh sound filled the worlds; the horses of the Sun left their path and ran. The elephants of the quarters trumpeted, the earth shook, and the serpent Shesha, the divine Boar and the Tortoise were thrown into turmoil. Gods, demons and sages, all distressed, put their hands over their ears and began to wonder what it could be. When they knew that Rama had broken the bow, they cried out, "Victory!" says Tulsidas.
Soratha 261
संकर चापु जहाजु सागरु रघुबर बाहुबलु।बूड़ सो सकल समाजु चढ़ा जो प्रथमहिं मोह बस।।261।।
saṁkara cāpu jahāju sāgaru raghubara bāhubalu |būṛa so sakala samāju caṛhā jo prathamahiṁ moha basa ||261||
Shiva's bow was the ship, and the strength of the arms of Rama, the best of the Raghus, was the ocean. The whole assembly that had first boarded it, deluded, was drowned.
Chaupai 262.1-4
प्रभु दोउ चापखंड महि डारे।देखि लोग सब भए सुखारे।।
कोसिकरुप पयोनिधि पावन।प्रेम बारि अवगाहु सुहावन।।
रामरूप राकेसु निहारी।बढ़त बीचि पुलकावलि भारी।।
बाजे नभ गहगहे निसाना।देवबधू नाचहिं करि गाना।।
ब्रह्मादिक सुर सिद्ध मुनीसा।प्रभुहि प्रसंसहि देहिं असीसा।।
बरिसहिं सुमन रंग बहु माला।गावहिं किंनर गीत रसाला।।
रही भुवन भरि जय जय बानी।धनुषभंग धुनि जात न जानी।।
मुदित कहहिं जहँ तहँ नर नारी।भंजेउ राम संभुधनु भारी।।
prabhu dou cāpakhaṁḍa mahi ḍāre |dekhi loga saba bhae sukhāre ||
kosikarupa payonidhi pāvana |prema bāri avagāhu suhāvana ||
rāmarūpa rākesu nihārī |baṛhata bīci pulakāvali bhārī ||
bāje nabha gahagahe nisānā |devabadhū nācahiṁ kari gānā ||
brahmādika sura siddha munīsā |prabhuhi prasaṁsahi dehiṁ asīsā ||
barisahiṁ sumana raṁga bahu mālā |gāvahiṁ kiṁnara gīta rasālā ||
rahī bhuvana bhari jaya jaya bānī |dhanuṣabhaṁga dhuni jāta na jānī ||
mudita kahahiṁ jahã tahã nara nārī |bhaṁjeu rāma saṁbhudhanu bhārī ||
The Lord threw the two pieces of the bow on the ground, and seeing it, all the people were filled with joy. The sage Kaushika was a pure ocean, and his love was its water, lovely and unfathomable. Beholding the moon of Rama's beauty, that ocean surged, and its waves rose as great rippling thrills of joy. In the sky the drums sounded loudly, and the celestial women danced and sang. Brahma and the other gods, the siddhas and the chief of sages praised the Lord and gave him their blessings. They rained down flowers and many-colored garlands, and the kinnaras sang sweet songs. The cry of victory, victory filled the whole world, and the sound of the breaking of the bow could no longer be made out. Men and women everywhere said joyfully, "Rama has broken Shambhu's mighty bow."
Doha 262
बंदी मागध सूतगन बिरुद बदहिं मतिधीर।करहिं निछावरि लोग सब हय गय धन मनि चीर।।262।।
baṁdī māgadha sūtagana biruda badahiṁ matidhīra |karahiṁ nichāvari loga saba haya gaya dhana mani cīra ||262||
The bards, the minstrels and the heralds, steady of mind, proclaimed their songs of praise, and all the people showered offerings of horses, elephants, wealth, jewels and garments.
Chaupai 263.1-4
झाँझि मृदंग संख सहनाई।भेरि ढोल दुंदुभी सुहाई।।
बाजहिं बहु बाजने सुहाए।जहँ तहँ जुबतिन्ह मंगल गाए।।
सखिन्ह सहित हरषी अति रानी।सूखत धान परा जनु पानी।।
जनक लहेउ सुखु सोचु बिहाई।पैरत थकें थाह जनु पाई।।
श्रीहत भए भूप धनु टूटे।जैसें दिवस दीप छबि छूटे।।
सीय सुखहि बरनिअ केहि भाँती।जनु चातकी पाइ जलु स्वाती।।
रामहि लखनु बिलोकत कैसें।ससिहि चकोर किसोरकु जैसें।।
सतानंद तब आयसु दीन्हा।सीताँ गमनु राम पहिं कीन्हा।।
jhā̃jhi mṛdaṁga saṁkha sahanāī |bheri ḍhola duṁdubhī suhāī ||
bājahiṁ bahu bājane suhāe |jahã tahã jubatinha maṁgala gāe ||
sakhinha sahita haraṣī ati rānī |sūkhata dhāna parā janu pānī ||
janaka laheu sukhu socu bihāī |pairata thakeṁ thāha janu pāī ||
śrīhata bhae bhūpa dhanu ṭūṭe |jaiseṁ divasa dīpa chabi chūṭe ||
sīya sukhahi barania kehi bhā̃tī |janu cātakī pāi jalu svātī ||
rāmahi lakhanu bilokata kaiseṁ |sasihi cakora kisoraku jaiseṁ ||
satānaṁda taba āyasu dīnhā |sītā̃ gamanu rāma pahiṁ kīnhā ||
Cymbals, tabors, conches and pipes sounded, and lovely kettledrums and drums besides. Many fair instruments played, and here and there young women sang songs of joy and blessing. The queen, together with her companions, rejoiced greatly, like a drying rice crop on which rain has fallen. Janaka found joy and cast off his anxiety, like a swimmer who, tired from swimming, has found the bottom beneath his feet. The kings lost their splendor when the bow was broken, as a lamp loses its brightness in the light of day. How can Sita's joy be described? It was like that of the chatak bird's mate when she gets the water of the Swati rain. Lakshmana gazed at Rama as a young chakor gazes at the moon. Then Shatananda gave his command, and Sita went to Rama.
Doha 263
संग सखीं सुदंर चतुर गावहिं मंगलचार।गवनी बाल मराल गति सुषमा अंग अपार।।263।।
saṁga sakhīṁ sudaṁra catura gāvahiṁ maṁgalacāra |gavanī bāla marāla gati suṣamā aṁga apāra ||263||
With her went beautiful, clever companions, singing songs of good omen. The maiden walked with the gait of a swan, and the grace of her limbs was beyond measure.
Chaupai 264.1-4
सखिन्ह मध्य सिय सोहति कैसे।छबिगन मध्य महाछबि जैसें।।
कर सरोज जयमाल सुहाई।बिस्व बिजय सोभा जेहिं छाई।।
तन सकोचु मन परम उछाहू।गूढ़ प्रेमु लखि परइ न काहू।।
जाइ समीप राम छबि देखी।रहि जनु कुँअरि चित्र अवरेखी।।
चतुर सखीं लखि कहा बुझाई।पहिरावहु जयमाल सुहाई।।
सुनत जुगल कर माल उठाई।प्रेम बिबस पहिराइ न जाई।।
सोहत जनु जुग जलज सनाला।ससिहि सभीत देत जयमाला।।
गावहिं छबि अवलोकि सहेली।सियँ जयमाल राम उर मेली।।
sakhinha madhya siya sohati kaise |chabigana madhya mahāchabi jaiseṁ ||
kara saroja jayamāla suhāī |bisva bijaya sobhā jehiṁ chāī ||
tana sakocu mana parama uchāhū |gūṛha premu lakhi parai na kāhū ||
jāi samīpa rāma chabi dekhī |rahi janu kũari citra avarekhī ||
catura sakhīṁ lakhi kahā bujhāī |pahirāvahu jayamāla suhāī ||
sunata jugala kara māla uṭhāī |prema bibasa pahirāi na jāī ||
sohata janu juga jalaja sanālā |sasihi sabhīta deta jayamālā ||
gāvahiṁ chabi avaloki sahelī |siyã jayamāla rāma ura melī ||
How lovely Sita looked in the midst of her companions, like the supreme beauty standing among a host of lesser beauties. In her lotus hand was the beautiful victory garland, over which the glory of victory over the whole world seemed to be spread. Her body was filled with modesty, but her heart with the utmost joy; her deep and hidden love could be perceived by no one. She went near and beheld the beauty of Rama, and the princess stood as though she were a figure painted in a picture. A clever companion saw it and told her plainly: "Put the beautiful victory garland on him." Hearing this, she lifted the garland with both hands, but overcome by love, she could not manage to put it on him. She looked as though a pair of lotuses with their stalks were offering a garland of victory to the moon, trembling with fear. Her companions, gazing on the sight, began to sing; and Sita placed the victory garland upon Rama's breast.
Soratha 264
रघुबर उर जयमाल देखि देव बरिसहिं सुमन।सकुचे सकल भुआल जनु बिलोकि रबि कुमुदगन।।264।।
raghubara ura jayamāla dekhi deva barisahiṁ sumana |sakuce sakala bhuāla janu biloki rabi kumudagana ||264||
Seeing the garland of victory on the breast of Rama, the best of the Raghus, the gods rained down flowers. All the kings shrank back abashed, like clusters of night lilies at the sight of the sun.
Chaupai 265.1-4
पुर अरु ब्योम बाजने बाजे।खल भए मलिन साधु सब राजे।।
सुर किंनर नर नाग मुनीसा।जय जय जय कहि देहिं असीसा।।
नाचहिं गावहिं बिबुध बधूटीं।बार बार कुसुमांजलि छूटीं।।
जहँ तहँ बिप्र बेदधुनि करहीं।बंदी बिरदावलि उच्चरहीं।।
महि पाताल नाक जसु ब्यापा।राम बरी सिय भंजेउ चापा।।
करहिं आरती पुर नर नारी।देहिं निछावरि बित्त बिसारी।।
सोहति सीय राम कै जौरी।छबि सिंगारु मनहुँ एक ठोरी।।
सखीं कहहिं प्रभुपद गहु सीता।करति न चरन परस अति भीता।।
pura aru byoma bājane bāje |khala bhae malina sādhu saba rāje ||
sura kiṁnara nara nāga munīsā |jaya jaya jaya kahi dehiṁ asīsā ||
nācahiṁ gāvahiṁ bibudha badhūṭīṁ |bāra bāra kusumāṁjali chūṭīṁ ||
jahã tahã bipra bedadhuni karahīṁ |baṁdī biradāvali uccarahīṁ ||
mahi pātāla nāka jasu byāpā |rāma barī siya bhaṁjeu cāpā ||
karahiṁ āratī pura nara nārī |dehiṁ nichāvari bitta bisārī ||
sohati sīya rāma kai jaurī |chabi siṁgāru manahũ eka ṭhorī ||
sakhīṁ kahahiṁ prabhupada gahu sītā |karati na carana parasa ati bhītā ||
Music sounded in the city and in the sky. The wicked grew dejected, and all the good rejoiced. Gods, Kinnaras, men, Nagas and great sages cried "Victory, victory, victory!" and gave their blessings. The wives of the gods danced and sang, and again and again handfuls of flowers were showered down. Here and there Brahmans chanted the Vedas, and bards recited songs in praise of the Lord's glory. The fame spread through earth, the nether world and heaven: Sita has chosen Rama, and he has broken the bow. The men and women of the city performed the arati, and gave offerings, forgetting all thought of their wealth. The pair, Sita and Rama, shone as though beauty and adornment had come together in one place. Her companions said, "Sita, clasp the Lord's feet." But she, exceedingly afraid, did not touch his feet.
Doha 265
गौतम तिय गति सुरति करि नहिं परसति पग पानि।मन बिहसे रघुबंसमनि प्रीति अलौकिक जानि।।265।।
gautama tiya gati surati kari nahiṁ parasati paga pāni |mana bihase raghubaṁsamani prīti alaukika jāni ||265||
Remembering the fate of Gautama's wife, Sita does not touch his feet with her hands. Knowing her love to be beyond the world's way, the jewel of the Raghu line smiled in his heart.
Chaupai 266.1-4
तब सिय देखि भूप अभिलाषे।कूर कपूत मूढ़ मन माखे।।
उठि उठि पहिरि सनाह अभागे।जहँ तहँ गाल बजावन लागे।।
लेहु छड़ाइ सीय कह कोऊ।धरि बाँधहु नृप बालक दोऊ।।
तोरें धनुषु चाड़ नहिं सरई।जीवत हमहि कुअँरि को बरई।।
जौं बिदेहु कछु करै सहाई।जीतहु समर सहित दोउ भाई।।
साधु भूप बोले सुनि बानी।राजसमाजहि लाज लजानी।।
बलु प्रतापु बीरता बड़ाई।नाक पिनाकहि संग सिधाई।।
सोइ सूरता कि अब कहुँ पाई।असि बुधि तौ बिधि मुहँ मसि लाई।।
taba siya dekhi bhūpa abhilāṣe |kūra kapūta mūṛha mana mākhe ||
uṭhi uṭhi pahiri sanāha abhāge |jahã tahã gāla bajāvana lāge ||
lehu chaṛāi sīya kaha koū |dhari bā̃dhahu nṛpa bālaka doū ||
toreṁ dhanuṣu cāṛa nahiṁ saraī |jīvata hamahi kuãri ko baraī ||
jauṁ bidehu kachu karai sahāī |jītahu samara sahita dou bhāī ||
sādhu bhūpa bole suni bānī |rājasamājahi lāja lajānī ||
balu pratāpu bīratā baṛāī |nāka pinākahi saṁga sidhāī ||
soi sūratā ki aba kahũ pāī |asi budhi tau bidhi muhã masi lāī ||
Then, seeing Sita, the kings were seized with desire, and those wicked, unworthy, foolish men burned with rage in their hearts. Those unfortunate men rose up one after another, put on their armour, and began to bluster and boast here and there. Some said, "Snatch Sita away from them! Seize and bind both these princely boys!" "Breaking the bow will not settle the matter. While we are alive, who will wed the maiden?" "If Videha, the king of Mithila, gives them any help, defeat him in battle together with the two brothers." Hearing these words, the good kings spoke, and the whole assembly of kings was ashamed with shame. "Your strength, your majesty, your heroism and your boasted greatness all went to the next world along with the breaking of Pinaka, the bow." "Is that same valour only now newly found? If this is how you think, then Brahma has blackened your faces with soot indeed."
Doha 266
देखहु रामहि नयन भरि तजि इरिषा मदु कोहु।लखन रोषु पावकु प्रबल जानि सलभ जनि होहु।।266।।
dekhahu rāmahi nayana bhari taji iriṣā madu kohu |lakhana roṣu pāvaku prabala jāni salabha jani hohu ||266||
Gaze on Rama to your heart's content, and give up envy, pride and anger. Know that Lakshmana's wrath is a mighty fire, and do not become moths to it.
Chaupai 267.1-4
बैनतेय बलि जिमि चह कागू।जिमि ससु चहै नाग अरि भागू।।
जिमि चह कुसल अकारन कोही।सब संपदा चहै सिवद्रोही।।
लोभी लोलुप कल कीरति चहई।अकलंकता कि कामी लहई।।
हरि पद बिमुख परम गति चाहा।तस तुम्हार लालचु नरनाहा।।
कोलाहलु सुनि सीय सकानी।सखीं लवाइ गईं जहँ रानी।।
रामु सुभायँ चले गुरु पाहीं।सिय सनेहु बरनत मन माहीं।।
रानिन्ह सहित सोचबस सीया।अब धौं बिधिहि काह करनीया।।
भूप बचन सुनि इत उत तकहीं।लखनु राम डर बोलि न सकहीं।।
bainateya bali jimi caha kāgū |jimi sasu cahai nāga ari bhāgū ||
jimi caha kusala akārana kohī |saba saṁpadā cahai sivadrohī ||
lobhī lolupa kala kīrati cahaī |akalaṁkatā ki kāmī lahaī ||
hari pada bimukha parama gati cāhā |tasa tumhāra lālacu naranāhā ||
kolāhalu suni sīya sakānī |sakhīṁ lavāi gaīṁ jahã rānī ||
rāmu subhāyã cale guru pāhīṁ |siya sanehu baranata mana māhīṁ ||
rāninha sahita socabasa sīyā |aba dhauṁ bidhihi kāha karanīyā ||
bhūpa bacana suni ita uta takahīṁ |lakhanu rāma ḍara boli na sakahīṁ ||
You are like a crow that longs for the offering meant for Garuda, or a hare that longs for the share of the lion, the enemy of elephants. You are like one who rages without cause yet longs for his own welfare, or like an enemy of Shiva who longs for every kind of prosperity. Can a greedy, covetous man win a fair name, or a lustful man gain a spotless reputation? Such is your craving, O king: it is like that of one who turns away from the feet of Hari and yet longs for the highest state. Hearing the uproar, Sita grew frightened, and her companions took her and went to where the queen was. Rama went calmly, as was his nature, to his guru, describing Sita's love to himself in his heart. Sita, together with the queens, was overcome by anxiety: what will fate do now? Hearing the kings' words, they looked this way and that; Lakshmana, out of fear of Rama, could not speak.
Doha 267
अरुन नयन भृकुटी कुटिल चितवत नृपन्ह सकोप।मनहुँ मत्त गजगन निरखि सिंघकिसोरहि चोप।।267।।
aruna nayana bhṛkuṭī kuṭila citavata nṛpanha sakopa |manahũ matta gajagana nirakhi siṁghakisorahi copa ||267||
With reddened eyes and knitted brows he looked at the kings in anger, as though a young lion, eager to spring, were gazing at a herd of maddened elephants.
Chaupai 268.1-4
खरभरु देखि बिकल पुर नारीं।सब मिलि देहिं महीपन्ह गारीं।।
तेहिं अवसर सुनि सिव धनु भंगा।आयसु भृगुकुल कमल पतंगा।।
देखि महीप सकल सकुचाने।बाज झपट जनु लवा लुकाने।।
गौरि सरीर भूति भल भ्राजा।भाल बिसाल त्रिपुंड बिराजा।।
सीस जटा ससिबदनु सुहावा।रिसबस कछुक अरुन होइ आवा।।
भृकुटी कुटिल नयन रिस राते।सहजहुँ चितवत मनहुँ रिसाते।।
बृषभ कंध उर बाहु बिसाला।चारु जनेउ माल मृगछाला।।
कटि मुनि बसन तून दुइ बाँधें।धनु सर कर कुठारु कल काँधें।।
kharabharu dekhi bikala pura nārīṁ |saba mili dehiṁ mahīpanha gārīṁ ||
tehiṁ avasara suni siva dhanu bhaṁgā |āyasu bhṛgukula kamala pataṁgā ||
dekhi mahīpa sakala sakucāne |bāja jhapaṭa janu lavā lukāne ||
gauri sarīra bhūti bhala bhrājā |bhāla bisāla tripuṁḍa birājā ||
sīsa jaṭā sasibadanu suhāvā |risabasa kachuka aruna hoi āvā ||
bhṛkuṭī kuṭila nayana risa rāte |sahajahũ citavata manahũ risāte ||
bṛṣabha kaṁdha ura bāhu bisālā |cāru janeu māla mṛgachālā ||
kaṭi muni basana tūna dui bā̃dheṁ |dhanu sara kara kuṭhāru kala kā̃dheṁ ||
Seeing the uproar, the women of the city were distraught, and all of them together began to hurl abuse at the kings. At that moment, having heard that Shiva's bow was broken, there came the sun to the lotus of the Bhrigu race. Seeing him, all the kings shrank back in fear, like quails that hide when a hawk swoops down. On his fair body the sacred ash shone splendidly, and on his broad forehead the triple stripe was resplendent. On his head were matted locks, and his moon-like face was lovely, though through anger it had turned a little red. His brows were knit, and his eyes were reddened with wrath; even his natural glance seemed to be that of one enraged. His shoulders were like a bull's, his chest and arms were broad, and he wore a fair sacred thread, a rosary, and a deerskin. About his waist he wore a sage's garment and had two quivers bound on; in his hands were a bow and arrows, and on his shoulder a beautiful axe.
Doha 268
सांत बेषु करनी कठिन बरनि न जाइ सरुप।धरि मुनितनु जनु बीर रसु आयउ जहँ सब भूप।।268।।
sāṁta beṣu karanī kaṭhina barani na jāi sarupa |dhari munitanu janu bīra rasu āyau jahã saba bhūpa ||268||
His dress was that of a peaceful ascetic, yet his deeds were terrible, and his form cannot be described. It was as if the sentiment of heroism had taken the body of a sage and come to the place where all the kings were gathered.
Chaupai 269.1-4
देखत भृगुपति बेषु कराला।उठे सकल भय बिकल भुआला।।
पितु समेत कहि कहि निज नामा।लगे करन सब दंड प्रनामा।।
जेहि सुभायँ चितवहिं हितु जानी।सो जानइ जनु आइ खुटानी।।
जनक बहोरि आइ सिरु नावा।सीय बोलाइ प्रनामु करावा।।
आसिष दीन्हि सखीं हरषानीं।निज समाज लै गई सयानीं।।
बिस्वामित्रु मिले पुनि आई।पद सरोज मेले दोउ भाई।।
रामु लखनु दसरथ के ढोटा।दीन्हि असीस देखि भल जोटा।।
रामहि चितइ रहे थकि लोचन।रूप अपार मार मद मोचन।।
dekhata bhṛgupati beṣu karālā |uṭhe sakala bhaya bikala bhuālā ||
pitu sameta kahi kahi nija nāmā |lage karana saba daṁḍa pranāmā ||
jehi subhāyã citavahiṁ hitu jānī |so jānai janu āi khuṭānī ||
janaka bahori āi siru nāvā |sīya bolāi pranāmu karāvā ||
āsiṣa dīnhi sakhīṁ haraṣānīṁ |nija samāja lai gaī sayānīṁ ||
bisvāmitru mile puni āī |pada saroja mele dou bhāī ||
rāmu lakhanu dasaratha ke ḍhoṭā |dīnhi asīsa dekhi bhala joṭā ||
rāmahi citai rahe thaki locana |rūpa apāra māra mada mocana ||
At the sight of Parashurama's terrible garb, all the kings rose up, shaken and distraught with fear. Each declaring his own name together with his father's, they all began to prostrate themselves before him. Whomever he glanced at in his natural manner, thinking him a friend, that one felt as though his life had come to its end. Then Janaka came and bowed his head, and he called Sita and made her pay homage. The sage gave her his blessing, and her companions rejoiced; the clever girls then led her away to her own company. Then Vishvamitra came and met him, and placed the two brothers at his lotus feet. He said, "Rama and Lakshmana are the sons of Dasharatha." Seeing the fine pair, the sage gave them his blessing. Gazing at Rama, his eyes remained fixed and wearied with looking, for Rama's beauty was boundless and humbled the pride of Kamadeva.
Doha 269
बहुरि बिलोकि बिदेह सन कहहु काह अति भीर।पूछत जानि अजान जिमि ब्यापेउ कोपु सरीर।।269।।
bahuri biloki bideha sana kahahu kāha ati bhīra |pūchata jāni ajāna jimi byāpeu kopu sarīra ||269||
Then he looked at Janaka, the king of Videha, and said, "Tell me, why is there such a great crowd?" He asked as though he did not know, though he knew well, and anger spread through his whole body.
Inside Prakarana 27
Compositional abstract
In this Bālakāṇḍa segment (Sītā-svayaṃvara and Śiva-dhanuṣ-bhaṅga), the dominant rasa is adbhuta shaded by śṛṅgāra and vīra, quickly turning to hāsya/raudra as petty kings flare in wounded pride. Tulasīdāsa choreographs emotion as a spiritual pedagogy: wonder opens the heart (लोक सब चित्र लिखे से), प्रेम becomes palpable in Sītā’s inner turmoil, and the Lord’s līlā resolves cosmic and social tension in one sound—the कठोर धुनि that fills the worlds. Theologically, the scene is a miniature Manas: Śiva’s bow is ‘the ocean/ship’ and Rāma’s arm is the pāra-gāmī power; crossing is possible only by surrender, not by worldly ‘kड़हारू’ (ferryman). The episode also prepares the next stair: Paraśurāma’s arrival tests whether vīrya is rooted in अहंकार or in dharma-bhakti. Thus Bālakāṇḍa here establishes the Manas’s core claim: the Saguna Lord’s beauty and play are themselves liberating knowledge.
The dialogue
- Yajñavalkya (via Tulasīdāsa’s framing of the Manas-kathā)Bhāradvāja · Prayāga-ghāṭ: the ‘jñāna-to-bhakti’ bank where inquiry ripens into devotion; the bow episode is narrated as a revelatory proof (pramāṇa) of Rāma-tattva.
Frequently Asked Questions
Paramparā holds that Śiva-dhanuṣ-bhaṅga and Sītā-Rāma jaymāl pāṭha grants saubhāgya, dṛḍha-bhakti, and ahaṅkāra-kṣaya: the listener’s ‘inner bow’ (pride/saṃśaya) breaks, making the heart fit for Rāma-nāma and for vivāha-maṅgal/gaurī-pūjā contexts.
A common samput used in many Manas-kathā lineages for auspicious stabilization is: “सीता राम चरन रति मोरे। अनुदिन बढ़उ अनुग्रह तोरे॥” (inserted after each doha in the run), especially during vivaah-maṅgal recitations.
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