The Question That Could Not Remain Hidden
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 45
Doha 45 · Movement 1 of 2
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The month of Magha passes in bathing, worship, and sacred conversation. One by one, the sages depart for their hermitages. Another year turns, and again the winter gathering fills Prayag with joy. After one such observance, the paths empty until Yajnavalkya, supreme in discernment, remains behind at Bharadvaja's request.
Bharadvaja washes the sage's lotus feet with reverence, offers worship, praises his virtues, and seats him upon a pure and honoured place. The bustle of departure fades beyond the hermitage. Between the two sages, quiet deepens into the intimacy required for a true question.
Bharadvaja speaks gently. Yajnavalkya holds the essence of the Vedas as though it lay within his hand, yet the host carries one great doubt. Shame makes him hesitate. Fear touches the words before they leave him. Still, concealing the question would cause greater harm than revealing it, and so he prepares to uncover the uncertainty within his heart.
The last pilgrim disappears down the road, and Bharadvaja begins to reveal his doubt.
Read the passage from the Manas
एहि प्रकार भरि माघ नहाहीं। पुनि सब निज निज आश्रम जाहीं।। प्रति संबत अति होइ अनंदा। मकर मज्जि गवनहिं मुनिबृंदा।। एक बार भरि मकर नहाए। सब मुनीस आश्रमन्ह सिधाए।। जगबालिक मुनि परम बिबेकी। भरव्दाज राखे पद टेकी।। सादर चरन सरोज पखारे। अति पुनीत आसन बैठारे।। करि पूजा मुनि सुजस बखानी। बोले अति पुनीत मृदु बानी।। नाथ एक संसउ बड़ मोरें। करगत बेदतत्व सबु तोरें।। कहत सो मोहि लागत भय लाजा। जौ न कहउँ बड़ होइ अकाजा।।
In this way they bathe throughout the month of Magh, and then all return to their own ashrams. Each year there is immense joy. Bathing at Makar Sankranti, gatherings listen to the glory of Hari.