From the Lake to the Two Sages
Bala Kanda, Sortha 43
Sortha 43 · Movement 2 of 2
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The poet bathes his mind in the good water according to the reach of his understanding. He counts the lake's virtues without pretending to exhaust them, remembers Bhavani and Shankara, and turns from the great allegory toward the living current of the narrative.
Within his heart he places the lotus feet of Raghupati. Grace received there becomes permission to speak. Before him now appear two eminent sages whose meeting will open another sacred dialogue.
Water falls from the inward bath. The shore grows quiet. Bharadvaja and Yajnavalkya approach one another at Prayag.
The lake recedes into silence, and two sages take their seats beside the confluence.
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AI-created devotional illustration · Sortha 43
An imaginative portrait of the poet in inward reverence evokes his contemplation before beginning the sages’ dialogue.
Source reference and artistic choices
Gita Press code81 undated · PDF pages 68 · printed pages 66. Reader passage: bala-kanda-doha-044. Printed numbering may differ.
Source facts
- Poet considers the story-water's virtues, bathes the mind, remembers Bhavani-Shankara and begins the beautiful story
- Holding Rama lotus feet in heart and receiving grace, poet introduces the beautiful meeting and dialogue of two sages
Artistic choices
- Select reflective poet preparing narration, not physical bathing, a divine appearance or a meeting with Rama
- Imaginative Tulsidas portrait follows approved appearance, not authenticated; age, beard and tuft, tunic and shawl, prayer gesture, mat, closed unlettered manuscript bundle, lotus pond, flowering tree, pavilions, hills, border and colours added
An imaginative interpretation, not a historical portrait or documentary evidence.
मति अनुहारि सुबारि गुन गनि मन अन्हवाइ। सुमिरि भवानी संकरहि कह कबि कथा सुहाइ।।43(क)।। अब रघुपति पद पंकरुह हियँ धरि पाइ प्रसाद । कहउँ जुगल मुनिबर्ज कर मिलन सुभग संबाद।।43(ख)।।
Having bathed the mind in the pure water of this lake, counting its virtues according to one's own understanding, and remembering Bhavani and Shankara, the poet now begins to tell the beautiful story.