Lightning Becomes Pale Beside the Pitambara
Bala Kanda, Doha 147
Doha 147 · Movement 2 of 2
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The Lord's yellow garment falls across his rain dark form with a brilliance before which lightning would seem pale. Blue depth and golden radiance meet without conflict, like monsoon cloud holding the sudden promise of illumination.
Three lovely lines rest upon his belly, delicate marks within the majesty of the divine body. Below them, the navel turns inward with such enchanting depth that it seems to steal the beauty of a whirlpool moving upon the Yamuna.
Nothing in the vision is merely ornament. Colour, line, and curve draw the mind into contemplative stillness. Manu and Shatarupa behold the boundless Brahman through the intimate perfection of a body love has made visible.
Golden cloth flashes over the blue form, and the Yamuna lends its whirlpool to his navel.
Read the passage from the Manas
तडित बिनिंदक पीत पट उदर रेख बर तीनि।। नाभि मनोहर लेति जनु जमुन भवँर छबि छीनि।।147।।
His yellow garment, the Pitambara, puts even lightning to shame. Three lovely lines grace His belly. His enchanting navel seems to steal the beauty of a whirlpool upon the Yamuna.