Dasharatha Hears the Infant Cry
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 191
Doha 193 · Movement 1 of 2
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The supremely beloved sound of a newborn's cry passes through the palace. Queens hurry toward Kausalya, maidservants run in every direction, and the city begins to drown in bliss before formal messengers can contain the news.
When Dasharatha hears that a son has been born, the joy feels like the bliss of Brahman attained. Love fills his mind and thrills through his body. He tries to rise, steadies himself, and marvels that the Lord whose very Name brings auspiciousness has come into his house.
The king orders instruments sounded and summons Guru Vasishtha. The sage arrives with brahmins, enters the palace, and beholds the incomparable child, a treasury of beauty whose virtues exceed every attempt at description.
An infant cry reaches the throne, and Dasharatha tastes the bliss sages seek in Brahman.
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AI-created devotional illustration · Chaupai 191
Dasharatha filled with joy calls attendants and commands music
Source reference and artistic choices
Gita Press code81 undated · PDF pages 195, 196 · printed pages 193, 194. Reader passage: bala-kanda-chaupai-191. Printed numbering may differ.
Source facts
- ALL8 retained: hearing dearbabycry allqueens hurry; delighted MAIDS RUN hereandthere notdance; citizens immersedjoy. Dasharatha hearsSONBIRTH asifBrahmananda, lovebodythrill wishesrise thensteadiesmind.
- LordwhoseNamehearingauspicious hascomehome; kingfilledsupremejoy calls 'PLAYINSTRUMENTS'. Vasishtha summoned, arriveskingdoor withBrahmins, seesINCOMPARABLECHILDREN plural witness बालकों/बालक; beautyvirtuesbeyondtelling.
- Chosen6 kingspeakscommand, offscreenattendants notabsentclaim; MIDDAY frompriorC190 notinventedtonight. Infanttransformation earlierseparatechhand021, fullchhand remainsqueuednotcountedapproved.
Artistic choices
- Approved D190/D017 Dasharatha maturewarmwheat elongatedface slightlyaquilinenose graywhitebeard/moustache longgraycurlhair goldrubyroundcrest crown creamgoldrustroyalrobes jewels. Ageandappearance conventions unchanged.
- Twoarms/twohands oneownchest otheropenoutwardcommandpalm, eyesopen upward/right joyousslightopenmouth, seatedwaist legsoutsidecrop. Royalgardenwater arch redcushion floralborder artistsetting; noactualsons/guru/maids/playingmusicians shown.
An imaginative interpretation, not a historical portrait or documentary evidence.
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।।
Hearing the baby's cry, that most beloved of all voices, every queen came rushing in, her heart trembling with joy. Maidservants ran here and there in delight. All the people of the city were drowned in ananda.