The Lie Beneath the Banyan
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 56
Doha 56 · Movement 1 of 2
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Fear closes the opening. Though Sati now understands Raghubir's power, she conceals what she did. She tells Shiva that no test was made, that she merely bowed as he had bowed, and that his words command her complete faith.
Shankara enters meditation and sees the whole event: Sati taking Sita's form, Ram's response, and the untruth now spoken beneath the tree. He bows to Ram's maya, knowing that Hari's will and the force of what must unfold cannot be defeated by reasoning.
A distinct sorrow enters his heart. Sati is his beloved, yet she has assumed the form of Sita, whom his devotion beholds as the sacred Mother. To continue conjugal love would violate the very path by which his heart belongs to Ram. He says nothing, but the bond between them has changed.
Beneath the silent banyan, one concealed act opens an immeasurable distance.
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AI-created devotional illustration · Chaupai 56
Shiva sits in meditation, the narrated moment in which he learns what Sati has done.
Source reference and artistic choices
Gita Press code81 undated · PDF pages 78, 79 · printed pages 76, 77. Reader passage: bala-kanda-chaupai-056. Printed numbering may differ.
Source facts
- Sati conceals her test out of fear and says she only bowed, affirming Shiva's words
- Shiva then enters meditation and learns her acts; later he bows to Rama's maya and grieves over her assumed Sita form
Artistic choices
- Select narrated meditation only, before later grief or vow; no literal visualized test or supernatural knowledge diagram
- Conventional imaginative Shiva appearance, seated posture, resting hands, mat, cream/ochre drapes, beads, serpent, flowering tree, river, hills and distant pavilions added
An imaginative interpretation, not a historical portrait or documentary evidence.
सतीं समुझि रघुबीर प्रभाऊ। भय बस सिव सन कीन्ह दुराऊ।। कछु न परीछा लीन्हि गोसाई। कीन्ह प्रनामु तुम्हारिहि नाई।। जो तुम्ह कहा सो मृषा न होई। मोरें मन प्रतीति अति सोई।। तब संकर देखेउ धरि ध्याना। सतीं जो कीन्ह चरित सब जाना।। बहुरि राममायहि सिरु नावा। प्रेरि सतिहि जेहिं झूँठ कहावा।। हरि इच्छा भावी बलवाना। हृदयँ बिचारत संभु सुजाना।। सतीं कीन्ह सीता कर बेषा। सिव उर भयउ बिषाद बिसेषा।। जौं अब करउँ सती सन प्रीती। मिटइ भगति पथु होइ अनीती।।
Having understood Raghuvira's true power, Sati grew fearful and concealed the truth from Shiva. "I took no test, my Lord. I simply bowed to Him, following your own example."