The King Clasps the Hermit's Feet
Bala Kanda, Doha 167
Doha 167 · Movement 2 of 2
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Pratapbhanu finishes his plea and takes hold of Ekatanu's feet. The emperor of seven continents lies before the dispossessed king who has clothed vengeance in holiness.
Be gracious, he asks. Bear some hardship for my sake. He addresses the enemy as virtuous, noble, and tender toward the humble, every title revealing how fully appearance has replaced discernment.
The king's dependence is no longer political or physical. It has become devotional. He believes only this sage can secure his life and dharma, so the willingness to serve becomes the instrument through which deception will enter his kingdom.
At his enemy's feet, Pratapbhanu begs the plot against him to enter the city.
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AI-created devotional illustration · Doha 167
After SAYING this king clasps feet and begs hardship on his behalf sourceDOHA167
Source reference and artistic choices
Gita Press code81 undated · PDF pages 173 · printed pages 171. Reader passage: bala-kanda-doha-168. Printed numbering may differ.
Source facts
- AFTER SAYING THIS King clasps false ascetic feet and asks be gracious, bear hardship for MYSAKE; virtuous merciful honorifics King addresses falseascetic not trueSaint certification. Not after hearing this.
Artistic choices
- Approved C164 both ordinary human identities imagined portraits/dresses ages, KingLEFT kneeling fakeRIGHT seated low stool both barefeet visible.
- Two King hands actual grasp one foot/ankle cluster verified closecrop; precise placement, kneeling, stool barefoot artist choices sourcegenericfeet not handonEACHfoot prescription.
- E03 botanical glass arch goldleading nightmoon blue distant water hills imaginary location/decor not source geographic event. No actual miracles or heavenly reassurance.
An imaginative interpretation, not a historical portrait or documentary evidence.
अस कहि गहे नरेस पद स्वामी होहु कृपाल। मोहि लागि दुख सहिअ प्रभु सज्जन दीनदयाल।।167।।
Hearing this, the king clasped the hermit's feet: "Be gracious, my lord! Bear some hardship for my sake, O virtuous one, O tender friend of the humble." (Asa kahi gahe naresa pada, swami hohu kripala. Mohi lagi dukha sahia prabhu, sajjana deenadayala.)