Bhaktachintamani Prakaran 36

I shall now tell the beautiful, unparalleled account of Swami Ramanand - he in whom Uddhavji himself took incarnation, becoming Ramanand in form.

What city, what family, what lineage, what mother and father - in which Uddhavji took birth and became Ramanand directly -

how he left his own home, what counsel his mother and father gave him, how he came to this land - I shall tell all of this story.

Gather now and listen; this is a fine and unparalleled account. I shall tell the delightful, nectar-filled deeds of Ramanandji.

Due to the curse of Durvasa, Uddhav took incarnation. In the eastern land, in the city of Ayodhya, there lived a fine and excellent brahmin,

a devotee of the Lord, ever truthful in speech, learned, humble, and exceedingly self-controlled,

free from sin, full of merit, ever attentive to his own dharmadharma1) Universal law or principle that 'sustains' or 'upholds' the entire world. Righteousness, morality, religion,Tap to open in glossary →, of high lineage and excellent conduct, possessed of many virtues.

Of the Kashyap gotra, of the Rig Veda, of the Ashvalayana branch, was a pure brahmin named Ajay, whose wife was named Sumati.

In their home, the generous Uddhav himself manifested, in the year SamvatSamvatThe calendar established by Indian emperor Vikramaditya of Ujjain following his victory 56 BCE. It is a lunar calendar based on ancient Hindu tradition. The Vikram Samvat calendar is 56.7 years ahead of the solar Gregorian calendar. The calendar most commonly used is the Kãrtiki Samvat, which begins on the first day of Kãrtik. However, the Vachanãmrut is written using the Ashãdhi Samvat, which begins on the first day of Ãshãdh.Tap to open in glossary → seventeen ninety-five, on the eighth day of the dark half of ShravanShravan1) To listen to talks of Bhagvãn through the ears. 2) The term also means the initial intake of gnãn from any of the outer indriyas. In this sense, darshan, intake of gnãn through the eyes, is also considered a form of shravan. However, the intake of gnãn through the process of shravan (listening) must be strengthened with manan (thinking) and nididhyãs (remember) if it is to lead to the sãkshãtkãr (realisation) of that gnãn.Tap to open in glossary →, in the morning.

At that time Uddhavji himself took incarnation; at the time of his birth, men and women all cried out "Victory, victory!"

Great joy increased everywhere; in every home songs of blessing were sung. In various ways congratulations were offered, and the joy in every heart knew no bounds.

Then that brahmin was called for, and he came to his own home. Having examined the birth chart, he said the child's name should be Shri Ram.

"At an auspicious hour, auspicious moment, and auspicious ascendant, in such a time has your son been born, sacred and pure.

He is exceedingly powerful, unparalleled like Uddhav himself; in knowledge, virtue, and characteristics, he shall become his very equal."

Hearing this, the mother and father were filled with great joy in their minds; they recognized the great and wise Uddhavji as their own child.

Then they gave abundant gifts, satisfying the brahmin's hunger - grain, wealth, cloth, land, elephants, horses, cows, houses and comforts.

The brahmin, his mind well pleased, returned to his own home. The mother and father, beholding their son's face, could not contain the love in their hearts.

His form was charming and beautiful; Ram appeared exceedingly lovely. Beholding his face, even the moon would feel shame; beholding his beauty, millions of Kamadevs would be humbled.

Let me describe the beauty of his feet: his nails and toes shone exceedingly, like a red lotus-bud blooming in water.

His feet, marked with auspicious signs, with slender heels; his ankles, calves, and knees, and both his thighs, shone beautifully to behold.

His navel was deep, his belly lovely, with three folds upon it; beholding his two chest-muscles (or, his broad chest), the minds of all people were captivated.

His neck was wondrous, his arms reaching to his knees, his fingers exceedingly beautiful, his nails reddish and shining, like a row of set gems.

His chin, mouth, and fine lips, his tongue filled with sweetness; smiling gently, HariHariAn avatãr of Bhagvãn. He incarnated in His four-armed svarup to save an elephant from being killed by a crocodile. He cut off the crocodile’s head with His chakra.Tap to open in glossary → (Ram) appeared beautiful.

His nose was as fine as a lamp's flame, his cheeks and ears delicate; his form was fair and exceedingly beautiful, his body shining in such a complexion.

His eyes seemed filled with nectar, his eyebrows full of expression; his forehead was beautifully adorned, his form captivating to the mind.

His chest was broad and radiant, the hair on his head dark; his fine, curling locks shone brightly, and Shri Ram possessed a mature bearing even as a child.

Beholding such a son, the mother and father were joyfully absorbed; cherishing him with love, he grew up within a short time.

Like the waxing crescent moon, he grew day by day; beholding him, the eyes of his mother and father found coolness and peace.

His beautiful form shone, bearing the name and form of Shri Ram. At the age of eight, his father Ajay gave him the unparalleled sacred thread.

Then, having taken up the vow of celibacy, he held it firmly in his mind, resolving: "I shall not enter the householder's life" - so he decided within himself.

Such was the righteous Uddhav, to whom the vow of lifelong celibacy (naishthik vratvratAn observance, usually consisting of an upvãs.Tap to open in glossary →) was exceedingly dear; like the moon bringing light to the lotus of devotion to Shri KrishnaKrishna1) An avatãr of Bhagvãn. He incarnated in the svarup of a cowherd. This is considered to be a greater avatãr than the others, as Shree Krishna possessed all of the powers of Bhagvãn, whereas other avatãrs possessed less power. Shree Krishna conveyed the message of love and humanity to the world. Also, He recited the epic poem, the Bhagvad Geetã, to Arjun in which He stated: ‘Whenever dharma declines and adharma increases, I shall incarnate myself as a human to save the holy, to destroy the sin of the sinner, and to establish dharma. I come into being from yug to yug’. 2) In the Vachanãmrut, Shreeji Mahãrãj also uses the name “Shree Krishna” to describe Bhagvãn Purushottam Nãrãyan.Tap to open in glossary →.

He greatly loved the company of detached sadhus, and constantly listened to the Bhagavatam recited from his father's own mouth.

Through this, devotion to Shri KrishnaKrishna1) An avatãr of Bhagvãn. He incarnated in the svarup of a cowherd. This is considered to be a greater avatãr than the others, as Shree Krishna possessed all of the powers of Bhagvãn, whereas other avatãrs possessed less power. Shree Krishna conveyed the message of love and humanity to the world. Also, He recited the epic poem, the Bhagvad Geetã, to Arjun in which He stated: ‘Whenever dharma declines and adharma increases, I shall incarnate myself as a human to save the holy, to destroy the sin of the sinner, and to establish dharma. I come into being from yug to yug’. 2) In the Vachanãmrut, Shreeji Mahãrãj also uses the name “Shree Krishna” to describe Bhagvãn Purushottam Nãrãyan.Tap to open in glossary → grew with great feeling in his mind. Then he began to worship an image of Shri KrishnaKrishna1) An avatãr of Bhagvãn. He incarnated in the svarup of a cowherd. This is considered to be a greater avatãr than the others, as Shree Krishna possessed all of the powers of Bhagvãn, whereas other avatãrs possessed less power. Shree Krishna conveyed the message of love and humanity to the world. Also, He recited the epic poem, the Bhagvad Geetã, to Arjun in which He stated: ‘Whenever dharma declines and adharma increases, I shall incarnate myself as a human to save the holy, to destroy the sin of the sinner, and to establish dharma. I come into being from yug to yug’. 2) In the Vachanãmrut, Shreeji Mahãrãj also uses the name “Shree Krishna” to describe Bhagvãn Purushottam Nãrãyan.Tap to open in glossary → without fail, day and night.

And further, his heart longed for the direct darshandarshanSeeing. To see with admiration and devotion. To see Bhagvãn, a sat-purush, and murtis, with inner or outer vision, with the intention of receiving their grace and blessings. By doing darshan properly a bhakta develops affection for Bhagvãn, and Bhagvãn develops affection for that bhakta. [Sãrangpur – 2].Tap to open in glossary → of Shri KrishnaKrishna1) An avatãr of Bhagvãn. He incarnated in the svarup of a cowherd. This is considered to be a greater avatãr than the others, as Shree Krishna possessed all of the powers of Bhagvãn, whereas other avatãrs possessed less power. Shree Krishna conveyed the message of love and humanity to the world. Also, He recited the epic poem, the Bhagvad Geetã, to Arjun in which He stated: ‘Whenever dharma declines and adharma increases, I shall incarnate myself as a human to save the holy, to destroy the sin of the sinner, and to establish dharma. I come into being from yug to yug’. 2) In the Vachanãmrut, Shreeji Mahãrãj also uses the name “Shree Krishna” to describe Bhagvãn Purushottam Nãrãyan.Tap to open in glossary → himself; household life did not please him, and his mind remained ever detached.

Then Uddhav resolved firmly within his own mind: "Using the pretext of studying the Vedas, I shall now leave this household."

Then he asked his father, and, folding his hands to his mother, said: "Give me your permission - I wish to study the Vedas and Puranas,

to make pilgrimage to Dwarka, and to see many lands and regions. Such a wish remains in my heart day and night."

Then his mother fell into a swoon, and collapsed like a banana stalk, saying: "Shri Ram, if you depart, how shall my life-breath remain?

My son, you are still so young, having seen neither happiness nor sorrow of the world. Who will feed you when hunger strikes you?

Tigers and wolves on the road will terrify a mere child. My son, stay at home and worship Shri Gopal instead."

Shri Ram said, "Listen, mother - I must surely go; I cannot remain, held back even by you; my heart is restless and eager."

"Very well, my son, go then, but return soon, my brave one" - giving him this counsel, tears flowed from her eyes.

"Stay, my son, let me prepare a meal - eat once more before you go. This face of mine is precious to see again - you, my very pilgrimage embodied in flesh.

How shall my days pass once you have gone, my son? You are the eyes of the blind, you are the wealth of me, who has nothing.

You are the jewel of this poor woman; if you go, this life will not remain. When immeasurable sorrow comes, how much can an embodied soul endure?

The sins of some past life have today come to afflict me through my own son." Saying this, she fell unconscious, and collapsed, stumbling, to the ground.

Then Shri Ram said, "Listen, mother, do not grieve in your heart; prepare the meal, we shall eat together; be at peace in your body."

Then the mother's swoon passed, and she awoke and looked at him again. Then, in a proper manner, gladly, she prepared the meal.

Having eaten, the Lord of Life then departed, and no one could quite grasp what had happened. Attachment to mother and father did not overpower the one who was himself free of all attachment.

Just as the moon, having arisen in the east, moves toward the west, so did Shri Ram himself make his way toward the west.

He departed from there at once, and visited many sacred places and shrines. On the bank of the sea, he came to a lovely village called Talaja.

There lived a sadhu-natured scholar of the scriptures, named Kashiram. Recognizing him as a sattvic sadhu, he rested there,

having examined and absorbed the essence of all his scriptures, so that nothing remained unknown to him; he treated him with the highest regard.

The disciple of Gopal YogiYogi1) A person who has mastered the art of yog. 2) A person who has attained siddh-dashã and other extraordinary powers.Tap to open in glossary → of Gopnath was named Atmanand; he met him at Raivatachal (Girnar), the greatest among yogis.

Thus in the Bhaktachintamani, composed by Nishkulanand MuniMuniSãdhu.Tap to open in glossary →, disciple of Shri Sahajanand Swami, the establisher of the exclusive path of devotion, ends the thirty-sixth chapter, named "The Account of Uddhav's Birth, and His Departure from Home."