The City Vanishes Around Narada
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 138
Doha 138 · Movement 1 of 2
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Hari removes Maya's veil. Lakshmi is no longer standing on the road, and the princess has disappeared with the world of desire built around her. Narada sees the Lord alone and understands enough to be terrified. He falls upon Vishnu's feet and begs the destroyer of devotees' sorrow to save him.
The sage asks that his curse become false and laments the harsh words he spoke. How can the sin be erased? Hari directs him toward Shankara's holy Name, promising that the heart will immediately find peace. No one is dearer to Vishnu than Shiva, and Narada must never abandon that conviction.
Without Purari's grace, the Lord says, devotion to Vishnu cannot be attained. Narada is to carry this truth across the earth. The pride that separated victory from grace has been opened, and Hari promises that Maya will no longer approach him.
The jeweled city is gone, and Narada clings to the feet that never withdrew from him.
Read the passage from the Manas
AI-created devotional illustration · Chaupai 138
Frightened restored-human Narada grasps Hari's feet and petitions for rescue
Source reference and artistic choices
Gita Press code81 undated · PDF pages 149 · printed pages 147. Reader passage: bala-kanda-chaupai-138. Printed numbering may differ.
Source facts
- After Hari withdraws Maya neither Ramaa (Lakshmi) nor princess is there; princess not Sita and not identified as Ramaa.
- Narada frightened grasps Hari's feet asking rescue; distinct later question about sins in part4.
- Narada wishes curse false; Lord explicitly replies MY WILL. Hundred names of Shankara, not single name; Lord's Shiva-beloved/grace/devotion statements and roam/Maya reassurance retained as speech.
Artistic choices
- Approved restored-human Narada imagined naturalbrown clean-shaven blackhairknot Vaishnavcreamochrerose darkbeads and Hari royalhuman blue-lotus longcurls goldcrown creamgold emeraldshawl TWOarms retained; exactagefacecolorwardrobe/body convention unauthenticated.
- Lowledge seated Hari and kneeling Narada exact posture/ankle clasp, garden/court and aside customary vina are artist choices; no literal Maya effects or women.
An imaginative interpretation, not a historical portrait or documentary evidence.
जब हरि माया दूरि निवारी। नहिं तहँ रमा न राजकुमारी।। तब मुनि अति सभीत हरि चरना। गहे पाहि प्रनतारति हरना।। मृषा होउ मम श्राप कृपाला। मम इच्छा कह दीनदयाला।। मैं दुर्बचन कहे बहुतेरे। कह मुनि पाप मिटिहिं किमि मेरे।। जपहु जाइ संकर सत नामा। होइहि हृदयँ तुरंत बिश्रामा।। कोउ नहिं सिव समान प्रिय मोरें। असि परतीति तजहु जनि भोरें।। जेहि पर कृपा न करहिं पुरारी। सो न पाव मुनि भगति हमारी।। अस उर धरि महि बिचरहु जाई। अब न तुम्हहि माया निअराई।।
When Hari lifted away his maya, there was no Ramaa, no princess anywhere. Then the sage, overcome with fear, clasped Hari's feet and spoke at length of his sin, trembling all the while.