The Chakora Sage Beholds Ram's Face
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 205
Doha 207 · Movement 1 of 2
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Dasharatha hears of Vishwamitra's arrival and goes out with an assembly of brahmins. He bows, brings the sage to his own seat, washes his feet, worships him, and declares himself the most fortunate of men.
After the meal, the king brings all four sons to bow. The sight of Ram makes Vishwamitra forget bodily awareness. His gaze remains upon the beautiful face like a chakora bird drinking the full moon.
Dasharatha asks how he may serve. The sage reveals the demons tormenting his sacrifice and comes as a supplicant for Raghunath with his younger brother. The treasure he crossed the road to behold is now requested for the dangerous forest.
Vishwamitra gazes like a chakora at Ram, then asks the moon to leave Ayodhya with him.
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AI-created devotional illustration · Chaupai 205
All10units read; selected9-10 Vishvamitra asks King for Raghunath with youngerbrother
Source reference and artistic choices
Gita Press code81 undated · PDF pages 207 · printed pages 205. Reader passage: bala-kanda-chaupai-205. Printed numbering may differ.
Source facts
- King hears sagearrival, goes to meet with BRAHMINcompany, prostrateshonorsmuni seats him in Kings OWN SEAT, washesfeet worships saying none moreblessedtoday. Feeds varied dishes, SAGEheartGREATJOY not heartfilledprayer.
- King brings FOURSONS at munifeet. Seeing RAMA sageforgetshisbody, absorbed in facebeauty as CHAKORdesiresFULLMOON simile; not physicalmoon/bird or fainting/death. ALLfour introduction retained, not twoonlysons.
- Joyful King addresses YOU MUNI have never shown ME such grace, not no sage ever showed anyonegrace. Asks reason arrival, promises nodelay doingservice.
- Sage ASURAGROUPS troubleME I comeaskingYOUKING; give RAGHUNATHA with YOUNGERBROTHER, demons slain I will haveprotection. Selected9-10 sage speaking Kingoffcrop, requestingtwo brothers not rewritingallfour earlierintroduction.
Artistic choices
- Approved C204 NEWnamedVishvamitra warmdeepbrownangular elongatedface aquilinenose browneyes DARKBROWNGRAYbeardmoustache blackgrayHIGHmattedtopknot shoulderhair creamdhoti DULLBURGUNDYshawl woodbeads unmarkedforehead. Exactabout60age artistunverified, not VASISHTHA whitebeard/knot orangebody copied.
- Oneupperwaistseatedsage onKingsown redcushion royalcreamgoldseat artistfurnituredesign, twoownhands chest/openlowrequestpalm slightopenmouth eyesKingoffright. Plainpalacearch softgardenflowerbough unverifiedartistic architecture exactpose, no crownadded to sage or physical Chakormoon.
- Actual face has subdued lips beneath moustache; requesting speech is indicated by outward open-palm pose/source context rather than claiming an audible/clearly open mouth. Royal redcushion/backrail and wider wrappedknees are artistdesign, feet outsidecrop.
An imaginative interpretation, not a historical portrait or documentary evidence.
मुनि आगमन सुना जब राजा। मिलन गयऊ लै बिप्र समाजा।। करि दंडवत मुनिहि सनमानी। निज आसन बैठारेन्हि आनी।। चरन पखारि कीन्हि अति पूजा। मो सम आजु धन्य नहिं दूजा।। बिबिध भाँति भोजन करवावा। मुनिवर हृदयँ हरष अति पावा।। पुनि चरननि मेले सुत चारी। राम देखि मुनि देह बिसारी।। भए मगन देखत मुख सोभा। जनु चकोर पूरन ससि लोभा।। तब मन हरषि बचन कह राऊ। मुनि अस कृपा न कीन्हिहु काऊ।। केहि कारन आगमन तुम्हारा। कहहु सो करत न लावउँ बारा।। असुर समूह सतावहिं मोही। मै जाचन आयउँ नृप तोही।। अनुज समेत देहु रघुनाथा। निसिचर बध मैं होब सनाथा।।
When the king heard of the sage's arrival, he went out to meet him with a gathering of Brahmins. Bowing in full prostration, he honored the sage with reverence. Knowing Vishwamitra's greatness, Dasharatha seated him upon his own throne.