Narada Forgets His Detachment
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 131
Doha 131 · Movement 1 of 2
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The moment Narada sees the princess, his detachment disappears from awareness. He gazes for a long time at the divine beauty before him. Auspicious marks reveal an astonishing destiny: her husband will become immortal, unconquered in battle, and served by all moving and unmoving beings.
Joy surges through the sage, but he cannot state the hope growing within him. He speaks to the king about the daughter's good fortune while concealing part of what he has discerned. The trusted reader of signs bends his words because he has begun to imagine himself wearing the promised destiny.
Narada leaves the palace troubled by urgency. He must find a means for the maiden to choose him. Tapasya cannot transform his appearance in time, and the swayamvara approaches. His mind circles one desire until the sage who defeated Kama now seeks Kama's greatest advantage.
The conqueror of desire leaves the palace wondering how to make the princess desire him.
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AI-created devotional illustration · Chaupai 131
Narada leaves after calling daughter auspicious, privately planning how Shilanidhi's daughter will choose him
Source reference and artistic choices
Gita Press code81 undated · PDF pages 143 · printed pages 141. Reader passage: bala-kanda-chaupai-131. Printed numbering may differ.
Source facts
- EarlierNarada forgetsdispassion onseeingbeauty andlooks long; he concealsinwardjoy anddoesnotopenlystateallmarks, not inabilitytoexpressjoy
- Conditionalmarks concerning chosenhusband immortal/unbeaten/service heldinheart; Narada makesupsomewords toking, saysdaughterauspicious; not actualbattle/immortalityevent shown
- Narada leaves thinkinghowarrange that Shilanidhi's daughterVishvamohini choosesHIM; selected solo departure/privateplanning; japa and tapas distinctnotcollapsedgenericpenances
Artistic choices
- Approved imaginedyoungadultnaturalbrownclean-shaven Narada longknottedblackhair Vaishnavcreamochrerose/darkbeads retained; exactfaceageclothing notauthenticated
- Solitaryquietwalking onebarefootforwardotherbehind handownchin otherholdcustomaryvinacrossbodystrap, specificthoughtful expression/posture/strapgesture artistchoices, no visiblemindvisions
- Imaginedcreamgoldpalace doorway creamroad/garden and floweredglassarch citydecor/topography notrealmappedsite; no princess/king/cameo/wedding/prophecyeffects
An imaginative interpretation, not a historical portrait or documentary evidence.
देखि रूप मुनि बिरति बिसारी। बड़ी बार लगि रहे निहारी।। लच्छन तासु बिलोकि भुलाने। हृदयँ हरष नहिं प्रगट बखाने।। जो एहि बरइ अमर सोइ होई। समरभूमि तेहि जीत न कोई।। सेवहिं सकल चराचर ताही। बरइ सीलनिधि कन्या जाही।। लच्छन सब बिचारि उर राखे। कछुक बनाइ भूप सन भाषे।। सुता सुलच्छन कहि नृप पाहीं। नारद चले सोच मन माहीं।। करौं जाइ सोइ जतन बिचारी। जेहि प्रकार मोहि बरै कुमारी।। जप तप कछु न होइ तेहि काला। हे बिधि मिलइ कवन बिधि बाला।।
Seeing her beauty, the sage forgot his detachment. For a long while he stood gazing, unable to look away. Beholding her auspicious marks, he was utterly enchanted. His joy swelled beyond all telling.