The Four Armed Lord Becomes a Crying Child
Bala Kanda, Chhand 21
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The compassionate friend of the lowly appears before Kausalya in a wondrous form that steals the minds of sages. His body is dark as a rain cloud, his eyes vast and beautiful, four arms bearing divine weapons. Ornaments and a forest garland rest upon the ocean of splendour.
Kausalya joins her hands. How can she praise the infinite One whom Veda and Purana declare beyond Maya, guna, knowledge, and measure? The ocean of compassion and source of every virtue, within whose every pore lie universes, has manifested for her. How can the One containing creation dwell inside her womb and heart?
Ram smiles and prepares the tenderness of his Leela. Kausalya asks him to relinquish the majestic form and enact the incomparable play of an infant. The all knowing Lord becomes a child and begins to cry. Those who sing this mystery reach Hari's feet and do not fall into the well of becoming.
Four divine arms withdraw, and the Lord of heaven announces himself with an infant's cry.
Read the passage from the Manas
भए प्रगट कृपाला दीनदयाला कौसल्या हितकारी। हरषित महतारी मुनि मन हारी अद्भुत रूप बिचारी।। लोचन अभिरामा तनु घनस्यामा निज आयुध भुज चारी। भूषन बनमाला नयन बिसाला सोभासिंधु खरारी।। कह दुइ कर जोरी अस्तुति तोरी केहि बिधि करौं अनंता। माया गुन ग्यानातीत अमाना बेद पुरान भनंता।। करुना सुख सागर सब गुन आगर जेहि गावहिं श्रुति संता। सो मम हित लागी जन अनुरागी भयउ प्रगट श्रीकंता।। ब्रह्मांड निकाया निर्मित माया रोम रोम प्रति बेद कहै। मम उर सो बासी यह उपहासी सुनत धीर पति थिर न रहै।। उपजा जब ग्याना प्रभु मुसकाना चरित बहुत बिधि कीन्ह चहै। कहि कथा सुहाई मातु बुझाई जेहि प्रकार सुत प्रेम लहै।। माता पुनि बोली सो मति डौली तजहु तात यह रूपा। कीजै सिसुलीला अति प्रियसीला यह सुख परम अनूपा।। सुनि बचन सुजाना रोदन ठाना होइ बालक सुरभूपा। यह चरित जे गावहिं हरिपद पावहिं ते न परहिं भवकूपा।।
The Compassionate One appeared, the Friend of the lowly, Kausalya's own Benefactor. The mother was overcome with joy. His wondrous form enchanted the minds of sages.