The King Bows to the Mask of Desirelessness
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 161
Sortha 161 · Movement 1 of 2
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Pratapbhanu hears the name Bhikhari and sees a sage who has dissolved pride. The hidden identity and appearance of poverty seem marks of perfect desirelessness, the condition saints and scriptures call especially dear to Hari.
A homeless beggar of such power, the king says, could make even Brahma and Shiva wonder. He bows with faith and asks for mercy. His spiritual love is natural, and that very sincerity makes the counterfeit holiness more persuasive.
The pretended sage receives the king completely and answers with affection. He has lived in the forest for many years, he says, and will reveal more to one whose faithful heart has become so dear. Every warm word tightens the bond between genuine reverence and concealed harm.
Pratapbhanu's true devotion kneels before a false renunciant, and the mask becomes stronger.
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AI-created devotional illustration · Chaupai 161
King's respectful whoever-you-are bow/appeal forgrace afterhisownpraises
Source reference and artistic choices
Gita Press code81 undated · PDF pages 167, 168 · printed pages 165, 166. Reader passage: bala-kanda-chaupai-161. Printed numbering may differ.
Source facts
- KINGpraises imaginedwisdom/humility/selfconcealmentofsages andHari'sdearSaints; BRAHMASHIVA uncertainwhetherONElikeYOU Saint/beggar notdoubtthemselves, allKING'spraise nottrueSaintverification.
- WHOEVERYOUARE IBOWYOURFEET GRACEONMENOWMASTER concessionretained selected5. KingSPECIALTRUSTINHERMIT HIMSELF notabstractspiritualmatters; fakeasceticpretendsmorelove andclaims longdwelling7-8.
Artistic choices
- ApprovedPratapbhanu D154 curlyblackhair shortbeard wheatbrown ruby goldcrown creamPLUMshawl retained exactfaceagewardrobe unverified.
- Kneeling bowedhead ownchestnamaste towardoffRIGHTfalseascetic, creamarch imaginednightforesthut flowers moon andclaypot asunverifiedsceneprops/site/lighting; no physicalBrahmaShiva/Hari/Lordfeet/newsecretary.
An imaginative interpretation, not a historical portrait or documentary evidence.
कह नृप जे बिग्यान निधाना। तुम्ह सारिखे गलित अभिमाना।। सदा रहहि अपनपौ दुराएँ। सब बिधि कुसल कुबेष बनाएँ।। तेहि तें कहहि संत श्रुति टेरें। परम अकिंचन प्रिय हरि केरें।। तुम्ह सम अधन भिखारि अगेहा। होत बिरंचि सिवहि संदेहा।। जोसि सोसि तव चरन नमामी। मो पर कृपा करिअ अब स्वामी।। सहज प्रीति भूपति कै देखी। आपु बिषय बिस्वास बिसेषी।। सब प्रकार राजहि अपनाई। बोलेउ अधिक सनेह जनाई।। सुनु सतिभाउ कहउँ महिपाला। इहाँ बसत बीते बहु काला।।
The king said: "Those who are treasuries of wisdom, whose pride has melted away, like you, always keep their true selves hidden. They are accomplished in every way, though they wear a humble guise."