Agni Rises Holding the Sacred Pudding
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 188
Doha 189 · Movement 1 of 2
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One day sorrow presses heavily upon Dasharatha. Despite kingdom, queens, dharma, and honour, no son has come. He goes at once to Guru Vasishtha, touches his feet, and opens every grief and joy without royal concealment.
Vasishtha asks him to be patient. Four sons will be born, renowned through the three worlds as destroyers of devotees' fear. The guru summons sage Shringi and begins the auspicious sacrifice for progeny.
Oblations enter the fire with devotion until Agni himself appears, holding sacred pudding in his hands. The purpose Vasishtha carried within the heart has been accomplished. Dasharatha must take the divine food and distribute each queen's proper share.
From the sacrificial flame, Agni rises with the future of Ayodhya cupped in his hands.
Read the passage from the Manas
एक बार भूपति मन माहीं। भै गलानि मोरें सुत नाहीं।। गुर गृह गयउ तुरत महिपाला। चरन लागि करि बिनय बिसाला।। निज दुख सुख सब गुरहि सुनायउ। कहि बसिष्ठ बहुबिधि समुझायउ।। धरहु धीर होइहहिं सुत चारी। त्रिभुवन बिदित भगत भय हारी।। सृंगी रिषहि बसिष्ठ बोलावा। पुत्रकाम सुभ जग्य करावा।। भगति सहित मुनि आहुति दीन्हें। प्रगटे अगिनि चरू कर लीन्हें।। जो बसिष्ठ कछु हृदयँ बिचारा। सकल काजु भा सिद्ध तुम्हारा।। यह हबि बाँटि देहु नृप जाई। जथा जोग जेहि भाग बनाई।।
One day a sorrow arose in the king's heart: 'I have no son.' The king went at once to the Guru's house, fell at his feet, and made a great supplication.