Shiva Chooses from a Hundred Crore Stories
Bala Kanda, Doha 25
Doha 25 · Movement 2 of 2
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Imagine a treasury vast enough to contain a hundred crore tellings of Ram, every chamber bright with deeds, virtues, sorrows, victories, forests, palaces, and the faces of devotees. Shiva enters that immeasurable abundance not as one bewildered by riches, but as the knower who recognizes the essence.
From the ocean of sacred episodes he chooses the Name. The selection does not diminish the stories. It gathers their living power into a sound that can dwell upon every tongue. The giver of boons himself receives this treasure, and through it the Name grants blessing even to those before whom the worlds ask blessings.
In Shiva's stillness, the smallest utterance holds the weight of the whole Manas.
From a hundred crore stories, Shiva lifts two syllables to his lips.
Read the passage from the Manas
ब्रह्म राम तें नामु बड़ बर दायक बर दानि। रामचरित सत कोटि महँ लिय महेस जियँ जानि।।25।।
The Name is greater than both Brahman and Ram. It bestows boons even upon the givers of boons. Maheshvara knew this in his heart and chose the Name from among the hundred crore episodes of Ram's story.