The Poor Seeker Beneath the Wish Fulfilling Tree
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 149
Doha 149 · Movement 1 of 2
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With joined hands and gathered courage, a gentle voice rises from the couple. The sight of the Lord's lotus feet has fulfilled every purpose, yet one great longing remains. It cannot be called difficult for the omnipotent giver, though the seeker's own smallness makes it feel almost impossible to utter.
The hesitation is like that of a poor person who reaches a wish fulfilling tree but asks timidly because its true power is unknown. Infinite wealth stands overhead, while long acquaintance with poverty still governs the tongue.
The indwelling Lord already knows the hidden desire. They ask him to fulfil it without forcing the heart to conceal itself. He answers the king with reassurance: abandon hesitation and ask, for there is nothing I cannot give you.
Beneath the wish fulfilling tree, the former king finally dares to name his greatest wealth.
Read the passage from the Manas
AI-created devotional illustration · Chaupai 149
MANU hears Lord, joins hands steadieshimself and speakssoftly; wishesfulfilledseeingLordfeet beforegreatwish
Source reference and artistic choices
Gita Press code81 undated · PDF pages 157, 158 · printed pages 155, 156. Reader passage: bala-kanda-chaupai-149. Printed numbering may differ.
Source facts
- OpeningKINGMANU confirmedprintedHindi राजाने andsource8 O KING; notShatarupa.
- Joinsbothhands steadieshimself softwords seeingLordfeet fulfillswishes, onegreatwish easyforLord hardthroughownsmallness.
- Poorperson beforewish-tree hesitant ignorantpower SIMILE, notactualpoorfigure/tree event; Lord8 askskingwithoutshyness. ExplicitsonrequestnextD150 notyetpictured.
Artistic choices
- Approved imagined healthyManu greyhair trimmedsilverbeard creamTEALmodestrobes fromC146 retained, exactagefaceclothes unverified.
- Seatedlowledge ownchestnamaste softspeaking upwardgaze gardenriverhermitage inventedpose/scenery; Lordfeet unpictured no literaltree orbaby.
An imaginative interpretation, not a historical portrait or documentary evidence.
सुनि प्रभु बचन जोरि जुग पानी। धरि धीरजु बोली मृदु बानी।। नाथ देखि पद कमल तुम्हारे। अब पूरे सब काम हमारे।। एक लालसा बड़ि उर माही। सुगम अगम कहि जात सो नाहीं।। तुम्हहि देत अति सुगम गोसाईं। अगम लाग मोहि निज कृपनाईं।। जथा दरिद्र बिबुधतरु पाई। बहु संपति मागत सकुचाई।। तासु प्रभा जान नहिं सोई। तथा हृदयँ मम संसय होई।। सो तुम्ह जानहु अंतरजामी। पुरवहु मोर मनोरथ स्वामी।। सकुच बिहाइ मागु नृप मोहि। मोरें नहिं अदेय कछु तोही।।
Hearing the Lord's words, Shatarupa joined both palms together and, gathering her courage, spoke in a gentle voice: "O Lord, beholding Your lotus feet, all our purposes are now fulfilled."