The Hidden Devotion Revealed
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 17
Doha 17 · Movement 1 of 2
Keep this contemplation
Preserve, print, or share
Janaka stands with his family, royal composure concealing a deep love for Ram's feet. Yoga and the responsibilities of kingship had kept the devotion hidden like fire beneath ash. The moment he beholds Ram, that secret radiance breaks through every covering.
Bharat follows, his vows beyond description, his mind clinging to Ram's lotus feet like a hungry bee that will not abandon the flower. Lakshman appears as the thousand headed Shesha descended to remove the earth's fear, cool and beautiful in devotion, the staff upon which the spotless banner of Raghupati's fame is borne.
Tulsidas bows to Shatrughna, valiant and gentle follower of Bharat, and then to Hanuman, the great hero whose glory Ram himself has proclaimed. The figures stand not as ornaments around the Lord but as distinct flames of fidelity, each revealing another form love can take.
Before Ram, the hidden fire in Janaka's heart becomes visible to the whole court.
Read the passage from the Manas
AI-created devotional illustration · Chaupai 17
A bee rests within a lotus, illustrating Bharata's mind remaining close to Rama's lotus feet.
Source reference and artistic choices
Gita Press code81 undated · PDF pages 41 · printed pages 39. Reader passage: bala-kanda-chaupai-017. Printed numbering may differ.
Source facts
- Group salutes Janaka and family, Bharata, Lakshmana, Shatrughna and Hanuman
- Bharata's mind remains at Rama's lotus feet like a loving bee not leaving the lotus
Artistic choices
- One bee resting on a lotus selects the Bharata comparison; no actual insect transformation
- Flower, water, leaves and colour arrangement imagined
An imaginative interpretation, not a historical portrait or documentary evidence.
प्रनवउँ परिजन सहित बिदेहू। जाहि राम पद गूढ़ सनेहू।। जोग भोग महँ राखेउ गोई। राम बिलोकत प्रगटेउ सोई।। प्रनवउँ प्रथम भरत के चरना। जासु नेम ब्रत जाइ न बरना।। राम चरन पंकज मन जासू। लुबुध मधुप इव तजइ न पासू।। बंदउँ लछिमन पद जलजाता। सीतल सुभग भगत सुख दाता।। रघुपति कीरति बिमल पताका। दंड समान भयउ जस जाका।। सेष सहस्त्रसीस जग कारन। जो अवतरेउ भूमि भय टारन।। सदा सो सानुकूल रह मो पर। कृपासिंधु सौमित्रि गुनाकर।। रिपुसूदन पद कमल नमामी। सूर सुसील भरत अनुगामी।। महावीर बिनवउँ हनुमाना। राम जासु जस आप बखाना।।
I bow to King Videha (Janaka) together with all his family, in whose heart lies a deep, hidden love for the feet of Ram. That love remained concealed amid the disciplines of yoga and the duties of worldly life. Yet the moment his eyes fell upon Ram, that secret devotion shone forth for all to see.