Janakpur: Mata Sita, King Janak and Shri Ram
Janakpur, in Nepal's Terai, is traditionally held to be the capital of King Janak's Mithila. In the Ramcharitmanas of Goswami Tulsidas, it is the city where Shri Ram and Mata Sita are married. The Bal Kand presents its royal splendour, joyful wedding preparations and sorrow at the time of parting.
Shri Ram arrives in King Janak's city
In Bal Kand, doha 214, Goswami Tulsidas describes a city with splendid palace entrances, spacious stables and the mansions of King Janak's ministers and commanders. Princes have made their camps beside lakes and rivers on its outskirts. Amid this royal abundance, sage Vishwamitra chooses a pleasant mango grove as the place to stay. Shri Ram readily accepts his choice and rests there with the hermits. The passage places the Lord's obedience to His teacher beside the splendour of Janakpur. The city has much to offer, yet Shri Ram follows the sage's wish.
Janakpur prepares for the wedding
Janakpur is the setting of Mata Sita's swayamvar, Shri Ram's breaking of Shiva's bow and their wedding in the Bal Kand. In Bal Kand, doha 287, King Janak sends messengers to invite King Dashrath from Ayodhya. He then calls the leading citizens and directs them to decorate the bazaars, streets, houses, temples and the whole city. His servants summon skilled artisans to build the wedding pavilions. The preparations show how a royal wedding becomes the shared work of the city. Citizens return home joyfully to carry out their part, while the artisans begin their work by invoking Brahma.
The sorrow of parting and the bond with Ayodhya
In Bal Kand, doha 337, Janakpur is filled with the sorrow of parting. Men and women, the princesses' companions and the women of the royal household are overcome with emotion. The city that prepares so gladly for the wedding now feels the pain of separation. Its bond with Ayodhya continues through grief as well as celebration. In Ayodhya Kand, doha 270, King Dashrath's death is described as leaving both Mithila and Ayodhya without their protector. In Ayodhya Kand, doha 274, Shri Ram and the whole assembly rise promptly to receive King Janak when he arrives at Chitrakoot.
Verses
दूत अवधपुर पठवहु जाई। आनहिं नृप दसरथहि बोलाई॥ मुदित राउ कहि भलेहिं कृपाला। पठए दूत बोलि तेहि काला॥१॥
“Go and despatch to the city of Ayodhyā messengers, who may invite King Daśaratha to Janakpur.” Janaka gladly responded, “very well, gracious Sir,” and summoning the messengers despatched them that very moment. (1)
Bal Kand, Doha 287प्रेमबिबस नर नारि सब सखिन्ह सहित रनिवासु। मानहुँ कीन्ह बिदेहपुर करुनाँ बिरहँ निवासु॥३३७॥
All men and women including the companions of the princesses and the ladies of the gynaeceum were overpowered with emotion; it seemed as if pathos and the parting of lovers had taken up their abode in Janakpur, the capital of the Videhas. (337)
Bal Kand, Doha 337सुभग द्वार सब कुलिस कपाटा। भूप भीर नट मागध भाटा॥ बनी बिसाल बाजि गज साला। हय गय रथ संकुल सब काला॥१॥
The entrances to the palace were all beautiful and protected with doors of diamond. They were always thronged with feudatory princes, dancers, panegyrists and bards. There were spacious stables and stalls for elephants, which were crowded at all times with steeds, elephants and chariots. (1)
Bal Kand, Doha 214प्रेम मगन तेहि समय सब सुनि आवत मिथिलेसु। सहित सभा संभ्रम उठेउ रबिकुल कमल दिनेसु॥२७४॥
All were absorbed in love at that time. Presently on hearing of the arrival of King Janaka, the lord of Mithilā, Śrī Rāma, who was a veritable sun to the lotus-like solar race, and the whole assembly got up quickly to receive him. (274)
Ayodhya Kand, Doha 274
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Where is Janakpur?
Janakpur is in Nepal's Terai and is traditionally held to be the capital of King Janak's Mithila. In the Ramcharitmanas, it is the city of Shri Ram and Mata Sita's wedding. Bal Kand, doha 287, describes King Janak inviting King Dashrath from Ayodhya and asking the citizens to decorate the city.
Did Shri Ram and Mata Sita get married in Janakpur?
Yes. The Bal Kand of the Ramcharitmanas places Shri Ram and Mata Sita's wedding in Janakpur, following the swayamvar and the breaking of Shiva's bow. In Bal Kand, doha 287, King Janak sends the invitation to King Dashrath and arranges for the city's decoration and the building of wedding pavilions.
What is the connection between Janakpur and Ayodhya?
Janakpur is King Janak's city in Mithila, while Ayodhya is King Dashrath's city. Shri Ram and Mata Sita's marriage joins the two royal families. Their shared sorrow appears in Ayodhya Kand, doha 270, after King Dashrath's death. In Ayodhya Kand, doha 274, Shri Ram and the assembly rise to welcome King Janak at Chitrakoot.