The Gatekeepers Fall Through Three Births
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 122
Doha 122 · Movement 1 of 2
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Devotees sing the Lord's glory and cross the ocean of existence. For their welfare, the ocean of mercy takes a body. The causes of Ram's birth are innumerable and wondrous, Shiva says, but he selects one current and asks wise Bhavani to listen closely as it runs through former ages.
At Hari's gate stand Jaya and Vijaya, both dear to him. A brahmin's curse sends them from that luminous service into tamasic demonic births. They arise as Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu, warriors whose might shakes the worlds and humbles even Indra's pride.
The Lord meets them in forms no ordinary boundary could anticipate. As Varaha he raises the earth and slays Hiranyaksha. As Narasimha he bursts forth beyond the protections claimed by Hiranyakashipu, destroys the tyrant, and spreads the stainless fame of the child devotee Prahlada. Even the curse advances within the reach of divine purpose.
From the pillar roars Narasimha, and Prahlada's faith outlives the empire of fear.
Read the passage from the Manas
सोइ जस गाइ भगत भव तरहीं। कृपासिंधु जन हित तनु धरहीं।। राम जनम के हेतु अनेका। परम बिचित्र एक तें एका।। जनम एक दुइ कहउँ बखानी। सावधान सुनु सुमति भवानी।। द्वारपाल हरि के प्रिय दोऊ। जय अरु बिजय जान सब कोऊ।। बिप्र श्राप तें दूनउ भाई। तामस असुर देह तिन्ह पाई।। कनककसिपु अरु हाटक लोचन। जगत बिदित सुरपति मद मोचन।। बिजई समर बीर बिख्याता। धरि बराह बपु एक निपाता।। होइ नरहरि दूसर पुनि मारा। जन प्रहलाद सुजस बिस्तारा।।
Singing that very glory, devotees cross the ocean of worldly existence (bhava). The Ocean of Mercy (Kripasindhu) takes a body for the sake of His people. The reasons for Ram's birth are many, each more wondrous than the last.