When Dharma's Bridge Begins to Break
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 121
Doha 121 · Movement 1 of 2
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Shiva asks Girija to hear the beautiful accounts sung openly in Veda and scripture. No single measure can contain the reasons Hari descends. Ram lies beyond intellect, mind, and speech, so saints, sages, Puranas, and Vedas each tell what their own vision can receive. Shiva too will offer the portion made clear within him.
A pattern appears across the ages. Dharma declines. Arrogant demons multiply, gathering power until cruelty becomes ordinary and injustice can scarcely be spoken. Brahmins, cows, gods, and the earth bear the pressure. Sacred order trembles like a bridge whose stones are being torn from the river one by one.
Then compassion assumes form. The Lord enters the conditions of the threatened world, not because the infinite has become bound, but because the suffering of the righteous calls forth his protection. Many forms arise from the one inexhaustible mercy.
As the bridge of dharma trembles, the formless Lord steps toward birth.
Read the passage from the Manas
सुनु गिरिजा हरिचरित सुहाए। बिपुल बिसद निगमागम गाए।। हरि अवतार हेतु जेहि होई। इदमित्थं कहि जाइ न सोई।। राम अर्तक्य बुद्धि मन बानी। मत हमार अस सुनहि सयानी।। तदपि संत मुनि बेद पुराना। जस कछु कहहिं स्वमति अनुमाना।। तस मैं सुमुखि सुनावउँ तोही। समुझि परइ जस कारन मोही।। जब जब होइ धरम कै हानी। बाढहिं असुर अधम अभिमानी।। करहिं अनीति जाइ नहिं बरनी। सीदहिं बिप्र धेनु सुर धरनी।। तब तब प्रभु धरि बिबिध सरीरा। हरहि कृपानिधि सज्जन पीरा।।
Listen, Girija, to the beautiful deeds of Hari, which the Vedas and the Agamas have sung in luminous and abundant detail. The reason for Hari's avatara, no one can declare with certainty, saying 'this alone is the cause.' His descent into the world springs from mysteries beyond the reach of any single telling.