Ram Bows to the Disguise
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 53
Doha 53 · Movement 1 of 2
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Lakshman sees Sati wearing Sita's form and stops in astonishment. Confusion surges through him, but the gravity of the moment seals his speech. He knows Ram's sovereign power and chooses stillness over reaction.
Ram recognizes the deception at once. The Lord whose remembrance removes ignorance sees every heart and every layer of concealment. Yet no rebuke hardens his face. With a gentle smile, he inwardly acknowledges the play of his own maya.
Then the Supreme Lord joins his palms and bows. He identifies himself with his father's name and asks softly where Shiva is and why she wanders alone in the forest. The courtesy is flawless, the words profound. By treating her as Sati rather than Sita, Ram reveals that the disguise has hidden nothing.
Ram bows before the borrowed face, and truth passes through the disguise without tearing it.
Read the passage from the Manas
AI-created devotional illustration · Chaupai 53
Rama greets Sati in her assumed Sita form with joined hands while an astonished Lakshmana watches.
Source reference and artistic choices
Gita Press code81 undated · PDF pages 76 · printed pages 74. Reader passage: bala-kanda-chaupai-053. Printed numbering may differ.
Source facts
- Lakshmana sees Sati's guise, is astonished and remains silent
- Rama recognizes the disguise, speaks gently smiling, offers pranam and introduces himself with his father's name
- Rama asks where Shiva is and why she wanders alone in the forest
Artistic choices
- Select respectful greeting, no father figure or written dialogue added
- Pink-clad figure is Sati in assumed Sita form, not actual Sita reunion
- Approved imaginative appearances, poses, bows/quivers, simple exile dress, river, hills, forest path and flowers added
An imaginative interpretation, not a historical portrait or documentary evidence.
लछिमन दीख उमाकृत बेषा चकित भए भ्रम हृदयँ बिसेषा।। कहि न सकत कछु अति गंभीरा। प्रभु प्रभाउ जानत मतिधीरा।। सती कपटु जानेउ सुरस्वामी। सबदरसी सब अंतरजामी।। सुमिरत जाहि मिटइ अग्याना। सोइ सरबग्य रामु भगवाना।। सती कीन्ह चह तहँहुँ दुराऊ। देखहु नारि सुभाव प्रभाऊ।। निज माया बलु हृदयँ बखानी। बोले बिहसि रामु मृदु बानी।। जोरि पानि प्रभु कीन्ह प्रनामू। पिता समेत लीन्ह निज नामू।। कहेउ बहोरि कहाँ बृषकेतू। बिपिन अकेलि फिरहु केहि हेतू।।
Lakshmana saw the disguise Uma had taken and was startled, great confusion flooding his heart. He could say nothing, for the matter was profoundly grave. Yet being wise and steady of mind, he understood the Lord's power.