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राम
Leela Scene

The Fire God Vanishes Before the Assembly

Bala Kanda, Doha 189

Doha 189 · Movement 2 of 2

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Agni has made the purpose clear before the entire gathering. Priests, king, attendants, and sacred witnesses behold the divine messenger and the vessel placed into Dasharatha's care.

Then the fire god becomes invisible. Flame remains upon the altar, but the personal form withdraws after delivering the food through which the promised births will enter the queens.

Dasharatha is submerged in supreme bliss. Joy exceeds the capacity of his heart, as though the inner chamber cannot contain the river suddenly pouring through it. Long anguish over childlessness has turned in one instant toward four approaching sons.

Agni disappears into flame, leaving Dasharatha unable to contain the joy in his hands.

Read the passage from the Manas
Dasharatha rejoices after Agni gives instructions and becomes invisible.

AI-created devotional illustration · Doha 189

Source doha189 Dasharatha absorbed in supreme bliss after Agni explains to the assembly and becomes invisible

Source reference and artistic choices

Gita Press code81 undated · PDF pages 192 · printed pages 190. Reader passage: bala-kanda-doha-190. Printed numbering may differ.

Source facts

  • After explaining/instructing the whole assembly, Agni becomes invisible. King immersed in supreme bliss, his heart cannot contain joy.
  • Explaining instructions, not comprehensive revealing ALLsecrets. Selected king's joy; Agni alreadyinvisible and assemblyoutsidecrop, notactualsons/bowfestival depicted.

Artistic choices

  • Approved C188/D017 Dasharatha warmwheat elongatedface aquilinenose fullgraywhitebeard/moustache longgraywavyhair curls goldrubyroundedcrest crown creamgold/rustrobes goldjewels maintained; age~60 conventions.
  • Eyesopen upward softsmilemouthslightlyopen, bothhandsjoinedownchest namaste twoarms twohands legsoutsidewaistcrop; pose expression conventionalgratitude notexplicitversegesture. Terracearchcushion gardenpond flora artistsetting.

An imaginative interpretation, not a historical portrait or documentary evidence.

तब अदृस्य भए पावक सकल सभहि समुझाइ।। परमानंद मगन नृप हरष न हृदयँ समाइ।।189।।

Then Agni, the fire-god, became invisible, having revealed everything to the entire assembly. The king was drowned in supreme bliss; his heart could not contain his joy.