The Lord Studies the Vedas Contained in His Breath
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 202
Doha 204 · Movement 1 of 2
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Ram's simple and beautiful childhood Leelas are sung by Saraswati, Shesha, Shiva, and the Vedas. The heart unable to love these stories has lost a rare grace, for the infinite has made himself available through ordinary delight.
The brothers grow into boys and receive their sacred thread. At the guru's house, Raghurai studies and quickly receives every branch of knowledge. Wonder deepens because the four Vedas already abide naturally within his breath, yet Hari accepts the posture of a student.
Learning joins humility, virtue, conduct, and royal games. With bows and arrows in hand, the dark and fair princes enchant all that moves and rests. Wherever the brothers pass through Kosala's streets, men and women gaze until their eyes grow tired but their love does not.
The source of the Vedas sits before his guru and learns with folded humility.
Read the passage from the Manas
बालचरित अति सरल सुहाए। सारद सेष संभु श्रुति गाए।। जिन कर मन इन्ह सन नहिं राता। ते जन बंचित किए बिधाता।। भए कुमार जबहिं सब भ्राता। दीन्ह जनेऊ गुरु पितु माता।। गुरगृहँ गए पढ़न रघुराई। अलप काल बिद्या सब आई।। जाकी सहज स्वास श्रुति चारी। सो हरि पढ़ यह कौतुक भारी।। बिद्या बिनय निपुन गुन सीला। खेलहिं खेल सकल नृपलीला।। करतल बान धनुष अति सोहा। देखत रूप चराचर मोहा।। जिन्ह बीथिन्ह बिहरहिं सब भाई। थकित होहिं सब लोग लुगाई।।
These childhood leelas are supremely simple and beautiful. Saraswati, Shesha, Shambhu, and the Shrutis all sing of them. Those whose hearts find no delight in these leelas: their hearts are like a dark forest haunted by the night.