Ram Asks Mercy for the Milk-Faced Child
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 274
Doha 277 · Movement 1 of 2
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Ram asks Parashurama to show compassion toward an innocent, milk-faced child. Had Lakshmana known the sage's full power, would he have dared to challenge him? Parents and gurus delight even when children attempt something astonishing.
Treat him as a child and servant, Ram pleads. Such mercy befits a sage renowned for virtue, patience, and wisdom. The cool words soften Parashurama until Lakshmana says something more and smiles.
Anger races again from the sage's head to his feet. He calls Lakshmana fair in body but dark within, poison-mouthed rather than milk-mouthed, naturally crooked and unlike his gentle brother. The smile has undone the cooling, revealing how closely Parashurama now watches the youth he claims to despise.
Ram cools the sage with mercy, and one returning smile sets the whole fire alight again.
Read the passage from the Manas
नाथ करहु बालक पर छोहू। सूध दूधमुख करिअ न कोहू।। जौं पै प्रभु प्रभाउ कछु जाना। तौ कि बराबरि करत अयाना।। जौं लरिका कछु अचगरि करहीं। गुर पितु मातु मोद मन भरहीं।। करिअ कृपा सिसु सेवक जानी। तुम्ह सम सील धीर मुनि ग्यानी।। राम बचन सुनि कछुक जुड़ाने। कहि कछु लखनु बहुरि मुसकाने।। हँसत देखि नख सिख रिस ब्यापी। राम तोर भ्राता बड़ पापी।। गौर सरीर स्याम मन माहीं। कालकूटमुख पयमुख नाहीं।। सहज टेढ़ अनुहरइ न तोही। नीचु मीचु सम देख न मौहीं।।
O Lord, show kindness to this child. He is innocent and milk-faced; do not be angry with him. Had he known even a little of your divine power, would this foolish boy have dared to challenge you? When children do something remarkable, their guru, father, and mother only feel delight in their hearts. Show your grace, knowing him to be a child and your servant. You are a sage of great virtue, patience, and wisdom. Hearing Rama's words, Parashurama (Parashuraama) was somewhat cooled. But then Lakshmana (Lakshman) said something and smiled once more. Seeing him smile, fury spread through Parashurama from head to toe. 'Rama, your brother is a great sinner!' Fair of body, yet dark within his heart. His is a poison-mouth (kaalakootamukh), not a milk-mouth. Naturally crooked, he does not follow you. The wretch does not see me as death itself standing before him.'