Kausalya Chases the Lord Covered in Dust
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 201
Doha 203 · Movement 1 of 2
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Hari fills the palace with many childhood pastimes. The brothers grow, receive the sacred thread from their guru, and wander together through charming games beyond counting, tender princes carrying joy into the whole family.
The Lord beyond mind, action, and speech runs through Dasharatha's courtyard. When the king calls the boys to eat, they refuse to abandon their playmates. Kausalya goes after Ram, and the One whom Veda approaches through not this, not this escapes her with dancing steps.
At last he comes covered in dust and dirt. Dasharatha laughs, lifts him, and seats him upon his lap. The incomprehensible Brahman has allowed a determined mother to catch him and a delighted father to brush the courtyard from his limbs.
Dust covers the Absolute as Kausalya chases his dancing feet across the courtyard.
Read the passage from the Manas
बालचरित हरि बहुबिधि कीन्हा। अति अनंद दासन्ह कहँ दीन्हा।। कछुक काल बीतें सब भाई। बड़े भए परिजन सुखदाई।। चूड़ाकरन कीन्ह गुरु जाई। बिप्रन्ह पुनि दछिना बहु पाई।। परम मनोहर चरित अपारा। करत फिरत चारिउ सुकुमारा।। मन क्रम बचन अगोचर जोई। दसरथ अजिर बिचर प्रभु सोई।। भोजन करत बोल जब राजा। नहिं आवत तजि बाल समाजा।। कौसल्या जब बोलन जाई। ठुमकु ठुमकु प्रभु चलहिं पराई।। निगम नेति सिव अंत न पावा। ताहि धरै जननी हठि धावा।। धूरस धूरि भरें तनु आए। भूपति बिहसि गोद बैठाए।।
Hari performed childhood leelas of many kinds, bestowing supreme joy upon His devoted servants. Some time passed, and all the brothers received their Annaprashan, the sacred ceremony of the first food-offering.