Twelve Syllables Flow Beside the Gomati
Bala Kanda, Doha 143
Doha 143 · Movement 2 of 2
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Manu and Shatarupa begin the twelve syllable mantra with deep love: Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya. The sound enters the forest air, returns with the river's murmur, and settles into the measured rhythm of their breath.
Repetition does not make the words dull. Each cycle bows again to Bhagavan dwelling in all beings. The former king and queen no longer issue commands or receive petitions. Their speech has narrowed into one current of surrender.
Mind and affection cling wholly to Vasudeva's lotus feet. The mantra becomes the inward path on which every scattered faculty returns, until the chanter, the sacred syllables, and the One remembered seem held within a single devotion.
Beside the Gomati, twelve syllables bind two royal hearts to the feet of Vasudeva.
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AI-created devotional illustration · Doha 143
Manu/Shatarupa lovingly recite twelve-syllable mantra with minds attached to Vasudeva's feet
Source reference and artistic choices
Gita Press code81 undated · PDF pages 153 · printed pages 151. Reader passage: bala-kanda-doha-144. Printed numbering may differ.
Source facts
- Couple LOVINGLY recitesTWELVESYLLABLE mantra; mindsdeeplyattachedVasudevalotusfeet.
- Inwardlotusfeet focus notphysicalLordapparition or actuallotusflowers/feetobject; no laterdiet/tapas episode shown.
Artistic choices
- Approved imagined matureManu/Shatarupa faces andsimplecreamteal/rustmodestwardrobe retained fromC143, no royalcrowns; exactagesfacesclothes unverified.
- Seatedcrossleggedmats ownchestnamaste quietrecitation eyelowered subtleopenmouth, ordinaryslenderdignifiedbodies artistpose, botanicalglassforesthermitage imaginarysite; no readablemantrawords/countbeads/physicalmiracle.
An imaginative interpretation, not a historical portrait or documentary evidence.
द्वादस अच्छर मंत्र पुनि जपहिं सहित अनुराग। बासुदेव पद पंकरुह दंपति मन अति लाग।।143।।
They chant the twelve-syllable mantra, Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya, with deep love. The minds of the devoted couple cling wholly to the lotus feet of Vasudeva.