Baal Kaanda
38 - The Lord's manifestation and the delightful nature of His childish sports
Chaupais
Description
The preceptor assigned these names after careful thought and then said, "Your four sons, O king, are the essence of Veda itself. Of them Sri Rama is the sages' treasure, the devotee's all in all and Siva's very life; He takes delight at present in the rapture of childish sports". From his earliest days Laksmana came to look upon Sri Rama as his benefactor and master and conceived devotion to His feet. The love that existed between the two half-brothers, Bharata and Satrughna, was as glorious as that which obtains between a master and his servant. As the mothers gazed on the beauty of the two lovely pairs, one of whom was dark, the other fair, they would break a blade of grass in order to avert the evil eye. Although all the four brothers were embodiments of amiability, beauty and goodness, yet Sri Rama was an ocean of bliss par excellence. In His heart shone the moon of grace and His captivating smile represented its rays. Now on her lap and now in the beautiful cradle, the mother fondled Him calling Him her own darling.