Ram Bows to the Disguise
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 53
Doha 53 · Movement 1 of 2
Keep this contemplation
Preserve, print, or share
Lakshman sees Sati wearing Sita's form and stops in astonishment. Confusion surges through him, but the gravity of the moment seals his speech. He knows Ram's sovereign power and chooses stillness over reaction.
Ram recognizes the deception at once. The Lord whose remembrance removes ignorance sees every heart and every layer of concealment. Yet no rebuke hardens his face. With a gentle smile, he inwardly acknowledges the play of his own maya.
Then the Supreme Lord joins his palms and bows. He identifies himself with his father's name and asks softly where Shiva is and why she wanders alone in the forest. The courtesy is flawless, the words profound. By treating her as Sati rather than Sita, Ram reveals that the disguise has hidden nothing.
Ram bows before the borrowed face, and truth passes through the disguise without tearing it.
Read the passage from the Manas
लछिमन दीख उमाकृत बेषा चकित भए भ्रम हृदयँ बिसेषा।। कहि न सकत कछु अति गंभीरा। प्रभु प्रभाउ जानत मतिधीरा।। सती कपटु जानेउ सुरस्वामी। सबदरसी सब अंतरजामी।। सुमिरत जाहि मिटइ अग्याना। सोइ सरबग्य रामु भगवाना।। सती कीन्ह चह तहँहुँ दुराऊ। देखहु नारि सुभाव प्रभाऊ।। निज माया बलु हृदयँ बखानी। बोले बिहसि रामु मृदु बानी।। जोरि पानि प्रभु कीन्ह प्रनामू। पिता समेत लीन्ह निज नामू।। कहेउ बहोरि कहाँ बृषकेतू। बिपिन अकेलि फिरहु केहि हेतू।।
Lakshmana saw the disguise Uma had taken and was startled, great confusion flooding his heart. He could say nothing, for the matter was profoundly grave. Yet being wise and steady of mind, he understood the Lord's power.