Prakarana 20

Verse 400 (दोहा/सोरठा)

सुर समूह बिनती करि पहुँचे निज निज धाम। जगनिवास प्रभु प्रगटे अखिल लोक बिश्राम।।191।।

sura samūha binatī kari pahuṁce nija nija dhāma | jaganivāsa prabhu pragaṭe akhila loka biśrāma ||191||

বিনীত প্রার্থনা নিবেদন করে দেবসমূহের দল নিজ নিজ ধামে প্রত্যাবর্তন করল। তারপর সর্বজগতের আধার প্রভু— সকল লোকের বিশ্রাম ও আশ্রয়— স্বয়ং প্রকাশিত হলেন।

Verse 401 (छंद)

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।।

bhae pragaṭa kṛpālā dīna-dayālā kausalya hitakārī | haraṣita mahatārī muni mana hārī adbhuta rūpa bicārī || locana abhirāmā tanu ghana-syāmā nija āyudha bhuja cārī | bhūṣana bana-mālā nayana bisālā sobhā-siṃdhu kharārī || kaha dui kara jorī astuti torī kehi bidhi karauṃ anaṃtā | māyā guna gyānātīta amānā beda purāna bhanantā || karuṇā sukha sāgara saba guna āgara jehi gāvahiṃ śruti saṃtā | so mama hita lāgī jana anurāgī bhayau pragaṭa śrī-kaṃtā || brahmāṃḍa nikāyā nirmita māyā roma-roma prati beda kahai | mama ura so bāsī yaha upahāsī sunata dhīra pati thira na rahai || upajā jaba gyānā prabhu musakānā carita bahuta bidhi kīnha cahai | kahi kathā suhāī mātu bujhāī jehi prakāra suta prema lahai || mātā puni bolī so mati ḍaulī tajahu tāta yaha rūpā | kījai sisulīlā ati priya-sīlā yaha sukha parama anūpā || suni bacana sujānā rodana ṭhānā hoi bālaka sura-bhūpā | yaha carita je gāvahiṃ hari-pada pāvahiṃ te na parahiṃ bhava-kūpā ||

Merciful and compassionate to the poor, the Lord appeared—Kausalya’s benefactor. The mother was filled with joy; even sages’ minds were stolen as they beheld that wondrous form. His eyes were enchanting, his body dark as a rain-cloud; in his four arms he bore his own divine emblems. Adorned with ornaments and a forest-garland, with wide lotus-eyes, he was an ocean of beauty, the foe-destroyer. With both hands joined she said, “How shall I praise you, O Infinite? By what manner can I do it? The Vedas and Purāṇas declare you beyond māyā’s qualities, beyond the reach of knowledge, immeasurable. You are an ocean of compassion and bliss, the treasury of all virtues—sung by the Vedas and the saints. Yet for my good, out of love for your servant, you have become manifest, O Lord of Lakṣmī.” “Though the hosts of universes are fashioned by your māyā, the Veda proclaims you in every hair. And yet you dwell within my heart—this seeming paradox! Hearing it, even the steadfast Lord does not remain unmoved.” When understanding dawned, the Lord smiled, wishing to enact his play in many ways. He spoke a lovely tale to instruct his mother, in the manner by which a child wins a mother’s love. Then the mother spoke again; her mind wavered: “Leave this form, dear child. Show your infant play, so dear in nature—this joy is supremely incomparable.” Hearing the wise words, the king of gods began to cry, becoming a child. Whoever sings this deed attains Hari’s feet; they do not fall into the well of worldly existence.

Verse 402 (दोहा/सोरठा)

बिप्र धेनु सुर संत हित लीन्ह मनुज अवतार। निज इच्छा निर्मित तनु माया गुन गो पार।।192।।

bipra dhenu sura santa hita līnha manuja avatāra | nija icchā nirmita tanu māyā guna go pāra ||192||

ব্রাহ্মণ, গাভী, দেবতা ও সাধু-সন্তের কল্যাণার্থে তিনি মানব-অবতার ধারণ করিলেন। স্বেচ্ছায় গঠিত তাঁর দেহ; মায়া ও গুণলীলার অতীত তিনি।

Verse 403 (चौपाई)

सुनि सिसु रुदन परम प्रिय बानी। संभ्रम चलि आई सब रानी।। हरषित जहँ तहँ धाईं दासी। आनँद मगन सकल पुरबासी।। दसरथ पुत्रजन्म सुनि काना। मानहुँ ब्रह्मानंद समाना।। परम प्रेम मन पुलक सरीरा। चाहत उठत करत मति धीरा।। जाकर नाम सुनत सुभ होई। मोरें गृह आवा प्रभु सोई।। परमानंद पूरि मन राजा। कहा बोलाइ बजावहु बाजा।। गुर बसिष्ठ कहँ गयउ हँकारा। आए द्विजन सहित नृपद्वारा।। अनुपम बालक देखेन्हि जाई। रूप रासि गुन कहि न सिराई।।

suni sisu rudana parama priya bānī | saṁbhrama cali āī saba rānī || haraṣita jahã̐ tahã̐ dhāīṁ dāsī | ānaṁda magana sakala purabāsī || dasaratha putra-janma suni kānā | mānahuṁ brahmānaṁda samānā || parama prema mana pulaka sarīrā | cāhata uṭhata karata mati dhīrā || jākara nāma sunata subha hoī | moreṁ gṛha āvā prabhu soī || paramānaṁda pūri mana rājā | kahā bolāi bajāvahu bājā || guru basiṣṭha kahaṁ gayau haṁkārā | āe dvijana sahita nṛpa-dvārā || anupama bālaka dekheṁhi jāī | rūpa rāsi guna kahi na sirāī ||

Hearing the infant’s cry—dearer than all music—the queens came in reverent haste. The maids ran about in gladness; the whole city’s folk were drowned in joy. When Dasharatha heard of the birth of a son, it was as though Brahman-bliss itself had filled him. His heart overflowed with supreme love; his body thrilled; and though longing to rise at once, he steadied his mind with composure. “Only by hearing His Name does good befall—He, the Lord, has come into my very home!” The king’s mind brimmed with highest rapture; he said, “Call them—let the instruments be sounded!” A summons went to Guru Vashishtha; and the Brahmins, with him, came to the royal gate. They beheld the incomparable child—an embodiment of beauty; His virtues cannot be told to the end.

Verse 404 (दोहा/सोरठा)

नंदीमुख सराध करि जातकरम सब कीन्ह। हाटक धेनु बसन मनि नृप बिप्रन्ह कहँ दीन्ह।।193।।

nandīmukha sarādha kari jātakaram saba kīnha | hāṭaka dhenu basana mani nr̥pa bipranha kahã dīnha ||193||

মঙ্গলময় নন্দীমুখ শ্রাদ্ধ সম্পাদন করে এবং জন্ম-সংস্কারসমূহ সমাপ্ত করিয়া রাজা ব্রাহ্মণদের স্বর্ণ, গাভী, বস্ত্র ও রত্ন দান করিলেন। (১৯৩)

Verse 405 (चौपाई)

ध्वज पताक तोरन पुर छावा। कहि न जाइ जेहि भाँति बनावा।। सुमनबृष्टि अकास तें होई। ब्रह्मानंद मगन सब लोई।। बृंद बृंद मिलि चलीं लोगाई। सहज संगार किएँ उठि धाई।। कनक कलस मंगल धरि थारा। गावत पैठहिं भूप दुआरा।। करि आरति नेवछावरि करहीं। बार बार सिसु चरनन्हि परहीं।। मागध सूत बंदिगन गायक। पावन गुन गावहिं रघुनायक।। सर्बस दान दीन्ह सब काहू। जेहिं पावा राखा नहिं ताहू।। मृगमद चंदन कुंकुम कीचा। मची सकल बीथिन्ह बिच बीचा।।

dhvaja patāka torana pura chāvā | kahi na jāi jehi bhā̃ti banāvā || sumanabṛṣṭi ākāsa tẽ hoī | brahmānanda magana saba loī || bṛnda bṛnda mili calī̃ logāī | sahaja siṅgāra kiẽ uṭhi dhāī || kanaka kalasa maṅgala dhari thārā | gāvata paiṭhahĩ bhūpa duārā || kari ārati nevachāvari karahī̃ | bāra bāra sisu carananhĩ parahī̃ || māgadha sūta bandigana gāyaka | pāvana guna gāvahĩ raghunāyaka || sarabasa dāna dīnh saba kāhū | jehi pāvā rākhā nahĩ tāhū || mṛgamada candana kuṅkuma kīcā | macī sakala bīthinhi bica bīcā ||

Banners, pennons, and festal arches covered the whole city—no words can tell how it had been arrayed. From the heavens there was a rain of blossoms; all the people were drenched in a joy like Brahman-bliss. In groups upon groups the townsfolk came together; naturally adorned, they sprang up and ran in eagerness. Bearing golden pitchers and auspicious trays, singing as they went, they entered by the royal gate. They performed ārati and made offerings again and again; time after time they fell at the infant’s feet. Heralds, bards, and companies of panegyrists sang aloud the purifying virtues of the Lord of Raghu. Each gave away all he possessed; whoever received it did not keep it to himself. Musk, sandal, and saffron were smeared like paste; through the very midst of every lane the revel ran.

Verse 406 (दोहा/सोरठा)

गृह गृह बाज बधाव सुभ प्रगटे सुषमा कंद। हरषवंत सब जहँ तहँ नगर नारि नर बृंद।।194।।

gṛha-gṛha bāja badhāva subha pragaṭe suṣamā kanda | haraṣavanta saba jahã-tahã nagara nāri nara bṛnda ||194||

প্রতি গৃহে ঢাক-ঢোল ও বাদ্যধ্বনি উঠিল, মঙ্গলধ্বনি ও অভিনন্দন ধ্বনিত হইল—কারণ সৌন্দর্যের আদিস্রোতই যে প্রকাশ পাইল। নগরের সর্বত্র, যেথায় যেথায় ছিল, নারী-পুরুষের মহাজনসমূহ আনন্দে পরিপূর্ণ হইল।

Verse 407 (चौपाई)

कैकयसुता सुमित्रा दोऊ। सुंदर सुत जनमत भैं ओऊ।। वह सुख संपति समय समाजा। कहि न सकइ सारद अहिराजा।। अवधपुरी सोहइ एहि भाँती। प्रभुहि मिलन आई जनु राती।। देखि भानू जनु मन सकुचानी। तदपि बनी संध्या अनुमानी।। अगर धूप बहु जनु अँधिआरी। उड़इ अभीर मनहुँ अरुनारी।। मंदिर मनि समूह जनु तारा। नृप गृह कलस सो इंदु उदारा।। भवन बेदधुनि अति मृदु बानी। जनु खग मूखर समयँ जनु सानी।। कौतुक देखि पतंग भुलाना। एक मास तेइँ जात न जाना।।

kaikayasutā sumitrā doū | sundara suta janamata bhai oū || vaha sukha sampati samaya samājā | kahi na sakai sārad ahi-rājā || avadhapurī sohai ehi bhā̃tī | prabhuhi milana āī janu rātī || dekhi bhānū janu mana sakucānī | tadapi banī sandhyā anumānī || agara dhūpa bahu janu aँdhiārī | uṛai abhīra manahuँ arunārī || mandira mani samūha janu tārā | nṛpa gṛha kalasa so indu udārā || bhavana beda-dhuni ati mṛdu bānī | janu khaga mūkhara samayaँ janu sānī || kautuka dekhi pataṅga bhulānā | eka māsa teiँ jāta na jānā ||

Kaikeyi and Sumitra—both—bore lovely sons. That happiness, prosperity, and the perfect season of rejoicing—neither Saraswati nor Shesha, the serpent-king, could fully describe. Ayodhya shone in such a manner, as though Night herself had come to meet the Lord. Seeing the Sun, she seemed to grow bashful—yet twilight still appeared, by all outward signs. Thick aloeswood incense rose like darkness; clouds of festival powder flew as if crimson dusk were scattering. The gemmed temples looked like stars; the royal house-tops and their finials were like the bright moon. Within the palaces, the Vedic chant sounded with exquisite softness, like birds calling in their proper hour. And moths, delighted by the spectacle, lost themselves in wonder—so that a whole month passed, and they never knew time had gone.

Verse 408 (दोहा/सोरठा)

मास दिवस कर दिवस भा मरम न जानइ कोइ। रथ समेत रबि थाकेउ निसा कवन बिधि होइ।।195।।

māsa divasa kara divasa bhā marama na jānai koi | ratha sameta rabi thākeu nisā kavan bidhi hoi ||195||

এক মাসের সময় যেন এক দিনেই সঙ্কুচিত হইল—তবু গূঢ় কারণ কেহ বুঝিতে পারিল না। রথ ও অশ্বসহ সূর্যদেবও ক্লান্ত হইলেন; রাত্রি নামিল—কোন অদ্ভুত বিধানে এমন হইল?

Verse 409 (चौपाई)

यह रहस्य काहू नहिं जाना। दिन मनि चले करत गुनगाना।। देखि महोत्सव सुर मुनि नागा। चले भवन बरनत निज भागा।। औरउ एक कहउँ निज चोरी। सुनु गिरिजा अति दृढ़ मति तोरी।। काक भुसुंडि संग हम दोऊ। मनुजरूप जानइ नहिं कोऊ।। परमानंद प्रेमसुख फूले। बीथिन्ह फिरहिं मगन मन भूले।। यह सुभ चरित जान पै सोई। कृपा राम कै जापर होई।। तेहि अवसर जो जेहि बिधि आवा। दीन्ह भूप जो जेहि मन भावा।। गज रथ तुरग हेम गो हीरा। दीन्हे नृप नानाबिधि चीरा।।

yaha rahasya kāhū nahiṁ jānā | dina mani cale karata guna-gānā || dekhi mahotsava sura muni nāgā | cale bhavana baranata nija bhāgā || auru eka kahauṁ nija corī | sunu girijā ati dṛṛha mati torī || kāka bhusuṇḍi saṅga hama doū | manuja-rūpa jānai nahiṁ koū || paramānanda prema-sukha phūle | bīthinha phirahiṁ magana mana bhūle || yaha subha carita jāna pai soī | kṛpā rāma kai jāpara hoī || tehi avasara jo jehi bidhi āvā | dīnha bhūpa jo jehi mana bhāvā || gaja ratha turaga hema go hīrā | dīnhe nṛpa nānābidhi cīrā ||

None knew this hidden mystery. The sun went on his way, singing the Lord’s praises. Seeing the great festivity, gods, sages, and nagas returned to their abodes, recounting their own good fortune. And I shall tell you one more private thing—listen, O Girija, for your understanding is most steadfast. Kakbhushundi and I together—no one recognized us in human guise. We blossomed in supreme bliss and love’s delight, wandering the lanes, absorbed and forgetful of all else. Only he truly knows this auspicious tale on whom Rama’s grace rests. At that time, whoever came in whatever manner—the king bestowed on each whatever pleased his heart: elephants, chariots, horses, gold, cows, and jewels; the king gave garments of many kinds as well.

Verse 410 (दोहा/सोरठा)

मन संतोषे सबन्हि के जहँ तहँ देहि असीस। सकल तनय चिर जीवहुँ तुलसिदास के ईस।।196।।

manu santoṣe sabanhi ke jahã̐-tahã̐ dehi asīsa | sakala tanaya cira jīvahũ tulasīdāsa ke īsa ||196||

সর্বতৃপ্ত চিত্তে তিনি যেথায় যান, সেথায় আশীর্বাদ বর্ষণ করেন—“তুলসীদাসের প্রভুর কৃপায় আমার সকল সন্তান দীর্ঘজীবী হউক।”

Verse 411 (चौपाई)

कछुक दिवस बीते एहि भाँती। जात न जानिअ दिन अरु राती।। नामकरन कर अवसरु जानी। भूप बोलि पठए मुनि ग्यानी।। करि पूजा भूपति अस भाषा। धरिअ नाम जो मुनि गुनि राखा।। इन्ह के नाम अनेक अनूपा। मैं नृप कहब स्वमति अनुरूपा।। जो आनंद सिंधु सुखरासी। सीकर तें त्रैलोक सुपासी।। सो सुख धाम राम अस नामा। अखिल लोक दायक बिश्रामा।। बिस्व भरन पोषन कर जोई। ताकर नाम भरत अस होई।। जाके सुमिरन तें रिपु नासा। नाम सत्रुहन बेद प्रकासा।।

kachuka divasa bīte ehi bhā̃tī। jāta na jāni-a dina aru rātī॥ nāma-karana kara avasaru jānī। bhūpa boli paṭhae muni gyānī॥ kari pūjā bhūpati asa bhāṣā। dhari-a nāma jo muni guni rākhā॥ inha ke nāma aneka anūpā। maĩ nṛpa kahaba sva-mati anurūpā॥ jo ānanda-sindhu sukha-rāsī। sīkara tẽ trailoka su-pāsī॥ so sukha-dhāma rāma asa nāmā। akhila loka-dāyaka biśrāmā॥ bisva-bharana poṣana kara joī। tākara nāma bharata asa hoī॥ jāke sumirana tẽ ripu nāsā। nāma satru-hana beda prakāsā॥

Some days passed in this manner; so swiftly did they go that one could not discern day from night. Knowing the time had come for the rite of naming, the king sent for the wise sage. Having worshipped him, the lord of the earth spoke thus: “Bestow the names, having weighed well the children’s qualities.” “Their names are many and matchless; yet, O King, I shall declare them according to my own understanding. He who is an ocean of bliss, a very storehouse of joy—by but a single drop of whom the three worlds are fully satisfied— that abode of happiness: his Name shall be ‘Rāma’, the giver of repose to all the worlds. He who bears and nourishes the universe—his name shall be ‘Bharata’. He by whose remembrance enemies are destroyed—his name shall be ‘Śatrughna’, as the Vedas proclaim.”

Verse 412 (दोहा/सोरठा)

लच्छन धाम राम प्रिय सकल जगत आधार। गुरु बसिष्ट तेहि राखा लछिमन नाम उदार।।197।।

lacchana-dhāma rāma-priya sakala jagata ādhāra | guru basiṣṭa tehi rākhā lachimana nāma udāra ||197||

লক্ষ্মণ—শুভ গুণের ধাম, রামের অতি প্রিয়, আর সমগ্র জগতের আশ্রয়— গুরু ঋষি বশিষ্ঠ তাঁকে ‘লক্ষ্মণ’ এই মহৎ নাম দান করলেন।

Verse 413 (चौपाई)

धरे नाम गुर हृदयँ बिचारी। बेद तत्व नृप तव सुत चारी।। मुनि धन जन सरबस सिव प्राना। बाल केलि तेहिं सुख माना।। बारेहि ते निज हित पति जानी। लछिमन राम चरन रति मानी।। भरत सत्रुहन दूनउ भाई। प्रभु सेवक जसि प्रीति बड़ाई।। स्याम गौर सुंदर दोउ जोरी। निरखहिं छबि जननीं तृन तोरी।। चारिउ सील रूप गुन धामा। तदपि अधिक सुखसागर रामा।। हृदयँ अनुग्रह इंदु प्रकासा। सूचत किरन मनोहर हासा।। कबहुँ उछंग कबहुँ बर पलना। मातु दुलारइ कहि प्रिय ललना।।

dhare nāma gur hṛdayaṁ bicārī | beda tatva nṛpa tava suta cārī || muni dhana jana sarabasa siva prānā | bāla keli tehiṁ sukha mānā || bārehi te nija hita pati jānī | lachimana rāma charana rati mānī || bharata satruhana dūnau bhāī | prabhu sevaka jasi prīti baṛāī || syāma gaura sundara dou jorī | nirakhahiṁ chabi jananīṁ tṛna torī || cāriu sīla rūpa guna dhāmā | tadapi adhika sukhasāgara rāmā || hṛdayaṁ anugraha indu prakāsā | sūcata kiraṇa manohara hāsā || kabahuṁ uchaṅga kabahuṁ bara palanā | mātu dulārai kahi priya lalanā ||

Having pondered within his heart the Guru’s counsel and the power of the Name, (he saw) that, O King, thy four sons were the very essence of Vedic truth. To sages, to the good, and to all the people they were the whole treasure; to Śiva they were dearer than life itself; and in their childish play he found delight. From earliest boyhood Lakṣmaṇa, knowing the Lord to be his own true good, cherished love for Rāma’s feet. And Bharata with Śatrughna—both brothers—so increased their affection that it was as the love of master and servant. A lovely pair were the dark and the fair, and the mothers, beholding their beauty, plucked blades of grass in fond warding. All four were abodes of gentle nature, beauty, and virtue; yet Rāma was still more—an ocean of bliss. In his heart shone the moonlight of grace, and his charming smile revealed it in rays. Now on the lap, now in the noble cradle, the mothers fondled them, calling them their dear darlings.

Verse 414 (दोहा/सोरठा)

ब्यापक ब्रह्म निरंजन निर्गुन बिगत बिनोद। सो अज प्रेम भगति बस कौसल्या के गोद।।198।।

byāpaka brahma nirañjana nirguṇa bigata binoda | so aja prema bhagati basa kausalayā ke goda ||198||

সর্বব্যাপী ব্রহ্ম—নির্মল, গুণাতীত, আর বিকারের সকল লীলার ঊর্ধ্বে— সেই অজাত পরম সত্তা প্রেম-ভক্তিতে বশ হয়ে কৌশল্যার কোলে বিরাজ করেন। (১৯৮)

Verse 415 (चौपाई)

काम कोटि छबि स्याम सरीरा। नील कंज बारिद गंभीरा।। अरुन चरन पकंज नख जोती। कमल दलन्हि बैठे जनु मोती।। रेख कुलिस धवज अंकुर सोहे। नूपुर धुनि सुनि मुनि मन मोहे।। कटि किंकिनी उदर त्रय रेखा। नाभि गभीर जान जेहि देखा।। भुज बिसाल भूषन जुत भूरी। हियँ हरि नख अति सोभा रूरी।। उर मनिहार पदिक की सोभा। बिप्र चरन देखत मन लोभा।। कंबु कंठ अति चिबुक सुहाई। आनन अमित मदन छबि छाई।। दुइ दुइ दसन अधर अरुनारे। नासा तिलक को बरनै पारे।। सुंदर श्रवन सुचारु कपोला। अति प्रिय मधुर तोतरे बोला।। चिक्कन कच कुंचित गभुआरे। बहु प्रकार रचि मातु सँवारे।। पीत झगुलिआ तनु पहिराई। जानु पानि बिचरनि मोहि भाई।। रूप सकहिं नहिं कहि श्रुति सेषा। सो जानइ सपनेहुँ जेहि देखा।।

kāma koṭi chabi syāma sarīrā | nīla kañja bārida gaṃbhīrā || aruna carana pakaṃja nakha jotī | kamala dalanhi baiṭhe janu motī || rekha kulisa dhavaja aṃkura sohe | nūpura dhuni suni muni mana mohe || kaṭi kiṃkinī udara traya rekhā | nābhi gabhīra jāna jehi dekhā || bhuja bisāla bhūṣana juta bhūrī | hiyã hari nakha ati sobhā rūrī || ura manihāra padika kī sobhā | bipra carana dekhata mana lobhā || kaṃbu kaṃṭha ati cibuka suhāī | ānana amita madana chabi chāī || dui dui dasana adhara arunāre | nāsā tilaka ko baranai pāre || suṃdara śravana sucāru kapolā | ati priya madhura totare bolā || cikkana kaca kuṃcita gabhuāre | bahu prakāra raci mātu sãvāre || pīta jhaguliyā tanu pahirāī | jānu pāni bicarani mohi bhāī || rūpa sakahiṃ nahiṃ kahi śruti seṣā | so jānaī sapanehũ jehi dekhā ||

Dark was His body, with a beauty outshining ten million Cupids—deep as a rain-cloud, blue as the lotus. His lotus-feet were ruddy; the light of His nails seemed pearls set upon lotus-petals. Auspicious lines—thunderbolt, banner, and tender sprout—shone there; and the music of His anklets stole the sages’ hearts. A tinkling girdle graced His waist; three lovely folds marked His belly; whoever beheld His navel knew its depth. His arms were broad, laden with ornaments; upon His chest the Lord’s signs and the splendour of His nails were exceedingly fair. Necklace and pendant adorned His breast; even a brahmin, seeing those feet, felt his heart drawn in longing reverence. His neck was like a conch, His chin most comely; over His face lay an immeasurable charm, eclipsing Cupid. Row on row of teeth, lips crimson; who could ever finish describing His nose and tilak? Ears were beautiful, cheeks well-formed; most dear was His sweet, childlike lisping speech. Smooth, thick, curling hair—His mother dressed and adorned Him in many ways. She clothed His tender body in a yellow tunic, fluttering like a water-bird at play. Even the Vedas and Shesha cannot tell His form in full; only one who has seen Him—even in a dream—can know it.

Verse 416 (दोहा/सोरठा)

सुख संदोह मोहपर ग्यान गिरा गोतीत। दंपति परम प्रेम बस कर सिसुचरित पुनीत।।199।।

sukha-sandoha moha-para gyāna girā go-tīta | daṃpati parama prema basa kara sisu-carita punīta ||199||

আনন্দের মহা-নিধি, মোহাতীত—জ্ঞান ও বাক্যেরও অগোচর— সেই দিব্য দম্পতি পরম প্রেমে বশ হয়ে শিশুরূপ (রাম)-এর পবিত্র লীলা প্রকাশ করলেন।

Verse 417 (चौपाई)

एहि बिधि राम जगत पितु माता। कोसलपुर बासिन्ह सुखदाता।। जिन्ह रघुनाथ चरन रति मानी। तिन्ह की यह गति प्रगट भवानी।। रघुपति बिमुख जतन कर कोरी। कवन सकइ भव बंधन छोरी।। जीव चराचर बस कै राखे। सो माया प्रभु सों भय भाखे।। भृकुटि बिलास नचावइ ताही। अस प्रभु छाड़ि भजिअ कहु काही।। मन क्रम बचन छाड़ि चतुराई। भजत कृपा करिहहिं रघुराई।। एहि बिधि सिसुबिनोद प्रभु कीन्हा। सकल नगरबासिन्ह सुख दीन्हा।। लै उछंग कबहुँक हलरावै। कबहुँ पालनें घालि झुलावै।।

ehi bidhi rāma jagata pitu mātā | kosalapura bāsinha sukhadātā || jinha raghunātha carana rati mānī | tinha kī yaha gati pragaṭa bhavānī || raghupati bimukha jatana kara korī | kavan sakai bhava bandhana chorī || jīva carācara basa kai rākhē | so māyā prabhu sõ bhaya bhākhē || bhṛkuṭi bilāsa nacāvai tāhī | asa prabhu chāṛi bhaji'a kahu kāhī || mana krama bacana chāṛi caturā'ī | bhajata kṛpā karihahiṁ raghurā'ī || ehi bidhi sisubinoda prabhu kīnhā | sakala nagarabāsinha sukha dīnhā || lai uchaṅga kabahuṁka halarāvai | kabahuṁ pālanē ghāli jhulāvai ||

Thus was Rama to the world as father and mother, the giver of joy to the folk of Kosala’s city. Those who owned love for Raghunatha’s feet—O Bhavani—their destined good is plain to see. But for one turned away from Raghu’s Lordship, all effort is hollow: who can sever the bonds of becoming? All moving and unmoving lives He keeps under His sway; that very Maya speaks fearfully before the Lord. With a mere playful knitting of His brow He makes her dance; leaving such a Master, tell me, whom else should one adore? Casting off cleverness in mind, deed, and speech, if one worships, Raghu’s King will surely show grace. In this manner the Lord performed His childlike sports and gave happiness to all the city’s people. Sometimes, taking Him upon their lap, they would gently rock Him; sometimes they would lay Him in a cradle and swing Him to sleep.

Verse 418 (दोहा/सोरठा)

प्रेम मगन कौसल्या निसि दिन जात न जान। सुत सनेह बस माता बालचरित कर गान।।200।।

prema magana kausalayā nisi dina jāta na jāna | suta saneha basa mātā bālacarita kara gāna ||200||

প্রেমে নিমগ্ন কৌশল্যা বুঝতেই পারলেন না কীভাবে দিন-রাত্রি কেটে গেল। পুত্রস্নেহে আবদ্ধ জননী তাঁর শৈশব-লীলা গেয়ে গেয়ে কাটাতে লাগলেন।

Verse 419 (चौपाई)

एक बार जननीं अन्हवाए। करि सिंगार पलनाँ पौढ़ाए।। निज कुल इष्टदेव भगवाना। पूजा हेतु कीन्ह अस्नाना।। करि पूजा नैबेद्य चढ़ावा। आपु गई जहँ पाक बनावा।। बहुरि मातु तहवाँ चलि आई। भोजन करत देख सुत जाई।। गै जननी सिसु पहिं भयभीता। देखा बाल तहाँ पुनि सूता।। बहुरि आइ देखा सुत सोई। हृदयँ कंप मन धीर न होई।। इहाँ उहाँ दुइ बालक देखा। मतिभ्रम मोर कि आन बिसेषा।। देखि राम जननी अकुलानी। प्रभु हँसि दीन्ह मधुर मुसुकानी।।

eka bāra jananīṁ anhavāe | kari siṅgāra palanāṁ pauṛhāe || nija kula iṣṭa-deva bhagavānā | pūjā hetu kīnha asnānā || kari pūjā naibedya caṛhāvā | āpu gaī jahaṁ pāka banāvā || bahuri mātu tahavāṁ cali āī | bhojana karata dekha suta jāī || gai jananī sisu pahiṁ bhayabhītā | dekhā bāla tahāṁ puni sūtā || bahuri āi dekhā suta soī | hṛdayaṁ kaṁpa mana dhīra na hoī || ihāṁ uhāṁ dui bālaka dekhā | mati-bhrama mora ki āna biseṣā || dekhi rāma jananī akulānī | prabhu haṁsi dīnha madhura musukānī ||

Once the Mother bathed the Child; she dressed Him in fair adornment and laid Him in the cradle. Then, for worship of the Lord—her family’s chosen Deity—she herself performed the purifying bath. Having made her offering and set the food before Him, she went to the place where the meal was being prepared. Afterwards the Mother returned there; she saw her son eating his food. Alarmed, she hurried to the child’s side—and there she beheld the little one lying asleep once more. Again she came back and saw her son still asleep; her heart trembled, and her mind could find no steadiness. ‘Here and there I have seen two children—am I deluded, or is there some other marvel at work?’ Seeing his mother thus distressed, Rama smiled and gave her a gentle, honeyed glance.