The Mothers Count Only the Days They Saw Ram
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 354
Doha 357 · Movement 1 of 2
Keep this contemplation
Preserve, print, or share
The mothers trace the impossible path their sons have travelled: guarding Vishwamitra's sacrifice, receiving sacred knowledge, freeing Ahalya through the dust of Ram's feet, breaking Shiva's thunderbolt hard bow, and returning with Janaki and four marriages complete.
They credit every superhuman deed to the grace of Kaushika. Wonder does not make them claim the hero for themselves. It turns their hearts toward the sage who led two young princes from Ayodhya and brought four bridegrooms home.
Now Ram's moon like face shines before them, and they declare their birth fulfilled. The days of separation seem so empty that they ask Brahma never to count them within the record of their lives. For love, true time is measured by presence.
The mothers ask eternity to remember only the days illumined by Ram's face.
Read the passage from the Manas
मुनि प्रसाद बलि तात तुम्हारी। ईस अनेक करवरें टारी।। मख रखवारी करि दुहुँ भाई। गुरु प्रसाद सब बिद्या पाई।। मुनितय तरी लगत पग धूरी। कीरति रही भुवन भरि पूरी।। कमठ पीठि पबि कूट कठोरा। नृप समाज महुँ सिव धनु तोरा।। बिस्व बिजय जसु जानकि पाई। आए भवन ब्याहि सब भाई।। सकल अमानुष करम तुम्हारे। केवल कौसिक कृपाँ सुधारे।। आजु सुफल जग जनमु हमारा। देखि तात बिधुबदन तुम्हारा।। जे दिन गए तुम्हहि बिनु देखें। ते बिरंचि जनि पारहिं लेखें।।
"By the sage's grace and by your own valor, dear son, you overcame so many divine trials. Both brothers guarded the sacred sacrifice, and through the guru's grace you received all learning. The sage's wife, Ahalya, was redeemed by the touch of the dust from your feet, and your fame filled the entire world. You broke Shiva's mighty bow, hard as the back of a tortoise and the edge of a thunderbolt, in the assembly of kings. You won glory that conquers the world and the hand of Janaki; then all the brothers returned home, married. All these superhuman deeds of yours were accomplished solely through the grace of Kaushika (Vishvamitra). Today our birth in this world has borne its fruit, beholding your moon-like face, dear child. As for the days that passed without seeing you, may Brahma never count them in the record of our lives."