Sati Prays at the Edge of the Ocean
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 59
Doha 59 · Movement 1 of 2
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Each morning brings Sati a new weight of sorrow. She stands inwardly before an ocean whose far shore cannot be seen. The memory returns without mercy: she dishonoured Raghupati, judged Shiva's words false, and concealed the truth when compassion offered her a way back.
She accepts the suffering as the fruit of her own action, yet cannot understand why providence keeps her alive after nearness to Shankara has been lost. No language can carry the shame burning in her heart. At last the wise daughter of Daksha turns the very anguish toward Ram.
With joined palms she remembers the Lord whom the Vedas praise as compassionate to the humble and remover of distress. If her love for Shiva's feet has been true in mind, speech, and deed, she asks that this body, burdened by the offence, be released. Her prayer does not accuse the world. It places the whole sorrow before the all seeing One.
At the shore of grief, Sati folds her hands and gives the unbearable wave to Ram.
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AI-created devotional illustration · Chaupai 59
Sati prays with joined hands in deep distress at her mountain dwelling; no death act is depicted.
Source reference and artistic choices
Gita Press code81 undated · PDF pages 81 · printed pages 79. Reader passage: bala-kanda-chaupai-059. Printed numbering may differ.
Source facts
- Sati feels worsening grief, regrets disrespecting Rama and doubting Shiva, and remembers Rama inwardly
- She pleads with joined hands for release from this body and affirms her love for Shiva
Artistic choices
- Select non-graphic literary prayer in distress, not any death act, rebirth or promised liberation
- Conventional imaginative Sati appearance, seated prayer posture and troubled gaze, pink sari veil, jewellery, mat, dwelling architecture, trident, tiger-hide furnishing, distant mountains and boughs added
An imaginative interpretation, not a historical portrait or documentary evidence.
नित नव सोचु सतीं उर भारा। कब जैहउँ दुख सागर पारा।। मैं जो कीन्ह रघुपति अपमाना। पुनिपति बचनु मृषा करि जाना।। सो फलु मोहि बिधाताँ दीन्हा। जो कछु उचित रहा सोइ कीन्हा।। अब बिधि अस बूझिअ नहि तोही। संकर बिमुख जिआवसि मोही।। कहि न जाई कछु हृदय गलानी। मन महुँ रामाहि सुमिर सयानी।। जौ प्रभु दीनदयालु कहावा। आरती हरन बेद जसु गावा।। तौ मैं बिनय करउँ कर जोरी। छूटउ बेगि देह यह मोरी।। जौं मोरे सिव चरन सनेहू। मन क्रम बचन सत्य ब्रतु एहू।।
Each day fresh sorrow weighed upon Sati's heart. "When shall I cross this ocean of grief? I dishonoured Raghupati. The Lord's wrath is righteous; He punishes those who deserve it."