The Lie Beneath the Banyan
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 56
Doha 56 · Movement 1 of 2
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Fear closes the opening. Though Sati now understands Raghubir's power, she conceals what she did. She tells Shiva that no test was made, that she merely bowed as he had bowed, and that his words command her complete faith.
Shankara enters meditation and sees the whole event: Sati taking Sita's form, Ram's response, and the untruth now spoken beneath the tree. He bows to Ram's maya, knowing that Hari's will and the force of what must unfold cannot be defeated by reasoning.
A distinct sorrow enters his heart. Sati is his beloved, yet she has assumed the form of Sita, whom his devotion beholds as the sacred Mother. To continue conjugal love would violate the very path by which his heart belongs to Ram. He says nothing, but the bond between them has changed.
Beneath the silent banyan, one concealed act opens an immeasurable distance.
Read the passage from the Manas
सतीं समुझि रघुबीर प्रभाऊ। भय बस सिव सन कीन्ह दुराऊ।। कछु न परीछा लीन्हि गोसाई। कीन्ह प्रनामु तुम्हारिहि नाई।। जो तुम्ह कहा सो मृषा न होई। मोरें मन प्रतीति अति सोई।। तब संकर देखेउ धरि ध्याना। सतीं जो कीन्ह चरित सब जाना।। बहुरि राममायहि सिरु नावा। प्रेरि सतिहि जेहिं झूँठ कहावा।। हरि इच्छा भावी बलवाना। हृदयँ बिचारत संभु सुजाना।। सतीं कीन्ह सीता कर बेषा। सिव उर भयउ बिषाद बिसेषा।। जौं अब करउँ सती सन प्रीती। मिटइ भगति पथु होइ अनीती।।
Having understood Raghuvira's true power, Sati grew fearful and concealed the truth from Shiva. "I took no test, my Lord. I simply bowed to Him, following your own example."