The Women Learn the Names Ram and Lakshmana
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 218
Doha 221 · Movement 1 of 2
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One woman asks how any embodied being could remain unenchanted by such a sight. Another shares what she has heard: these graceful youths are Dasharatha's sons, young swans from Ayodhya who protected Kaushika's sacrifice and slew the demons.
The dark lotus eyed prince destroyed Maricha's pride. He is Kausalya's son, treasury of joy, named Ram, carrying bow and arrows through their city.
Behind him walks the fair youth in excellent garments, equally armed. His name is Lakshmana, Ram's younger brother and Sumitra's son. Anonymous wonder becomes intimate knowledge as the names pass from window to window.
Across Mithila's windows, beauty receives two names: Ram and Lakshmana.
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AI-created devotional illustration · Chaupai 218
All8 source couplets read; selected two women exchanging what one has heard.
Source reference and artistic choices
Gita Press code81 undated · PDF pages 220 · printed pages 218. Reader passage: bala-kanda-chaupai-218. Printed numbering may differ.
Source facts
- One asks what embodied being would not be enchanted on seeing the brothers' beauty; another speaks lovingly and softly: LISTEN wise friend to WHAT I HAVE HEARD, not invented assertion that her speech itself enchanted minds.
- These are Dasharatha's two sons like young swans figuratively. They protected sage Kaushika/Vishvamitra's sacrifice and overcame demons in the battle ground.
- Dark Rama with beautiful lotuslike eyes broke BOTH MARICHA AND SUBAHU'S pride; Kaushalya's son, store of joy, named Rama holds bow/arrow. Primary verse spells सुबाहु; historical snapshot सुभुज retained unchanged.
- Fair youthful beautifully attired Lakshmana holds arrow/bow and walks BEHIND Rama, younger brother, mother SUMITRA. All8 units retained in metadata; selected conversation only, reported events not occurring in this image.
Artistic choices
- Reuse two anonymous adult sakhi models D222: coral/gold sari pearl necklace mediumbrown ovalface sidepart blacklowhair, teal/creamgold sari warmwheat ovalroundface centerpart blacklowhair, brown eyes goldhoops bindis; ages25/30 artistic. Neither Sita/Ahalya/Kaushalya/queen.
- Actual coral speaker LEFT own one hand open soft palm in front of waist, other own hand low on covered lap/ledge area; teal RIGHT own hand chest other own hand low on covered waist. TWOHEADS FOURCONNECTEDARMS FOUR distinct own hands; hips/legs cropped no foot mechanics certificate.
- Imagined cream gold housewindow arch distant ivorycity whiteflower boughs and glass border. Luminous E03 coral amber emerald blue glass leadlines; fixed speaker-role assignment/architecture/jewelry artist not historical. No literal swans/lotus eye objects/princes/battle/sacrifice.
An imaginative interpretation, not a historical portrait or documentary evidence.
कहहु सखी अस को तनुधारी। जो न मोह यह रूप निहारी।। कोउ सप्रेम बोली मृदु बानी। जो मैं सुना सो सुनहु सयानी।। ए दोऊ दसरथ के ढोटा। बाल मरालन्हि के कल जोटा।। मुनि कौसिक मख के रखवारे। जिन्ह रन अजिर निसाचर मारे।। स्याम गात कल कंज बिलोचन। जो मारीच सुभुज मदु मोचन।। कौसल्या सुत सो सुख खानी। नामु रामु धनु सायक पानी।। गौर किसोर बेषु बर काछें। कर सर चाप राम के पाछें।। लछिमनु नामु राम लघु भ्राता। सुनु सखि तासु सुमित्रा माता।।
"Tell me, sakhi, is there anyone in all creation who would not be enchanted upon seeing this beauty?" Another spoke with love in gentle words, words that themselves enchanted the mind.