Ghanshyam

Birth of Ghanshyam

Chhapaiya is a beautiful little village near Ayodhya, in Uttar Pradesh. All around it there are lots of banyan, pipal, mango, tamarind, guava and pomegranate trees. One finds a forest of jambu trees on its outskirts. There is a constant chirping of birds. The sweet notes of cuckoos, mena, devchaklis, parrots and peacocks, fill the air and enliven the atmosphere. The whole village looks enchanting with its tiny streets, and charming mandirs and houses. It is the night of Monday, 3 April 1781 (Chaitra sud 9, Samvat year 1837). The time is 10 o’clock at night and there is rejoicing in and around the house of Dharmadev. Outside the house children are dancing with joy. Women are joyfully flocking to Dharmadev’s house, singing and carrying large silver plates filled with kumkum, gulal, garlands of flowers and silken clothes in their hands. People are gathering all around the house. Outside, the Brahmins are reciting sacred mantras in the yagna arena. Dharmadev is donating ornaments, clothes and cows to Brahmins, sages and the poor. Rows of lighted lamps, arranged one above the other, give the whole house an enchanting glow. Drums and pipes are playing soulful tunes. But why are all these festivities taking place here tonight? Because a son has been born to Dharmadev and Bhaktimata. And it is Purna Purushottam Narayan, Supreme God, himself who has been born to Bhaktimata. God himself has manifested in the form of this newborn baby. His shining form fills the whole house with divine light and joy. Everyone is astonished to see such radiance. The devas shower flowers and chandan from the sky. Seated in their heavenly chariots, they fly in to have darshan of Dharmadev’s son. Trumpets of victory are sounded all around.

Childhood Exploits

There was an evil man named Kalidatt. He was foremost among sinners. He became very upset and agitated when he learnt that God had taken birth as a baby boy in Dharmadev’s house. One early morning, he ordered all his evil women accomplices, “Go to Dharmadev’s house and kill the child-God.” So the evil women came to Chhapaiya, and started looking for Dharmadev’s house. The demonesses were all extremely dark in colour, with blood-red eyes, big pointed teeth, ugly faces and frightful voices. When they found Dharmadev’s house, they peeped in quietly, and saw Bhaktimata feeding milk to child-God. They slowly stepped in and, before Bhaktimata realized what was happening, quickly lifted the child from her lap and tore away towards the mango grove. Hanumanji, son of the wind-god, resided in the mango grove. Seeing evil women carrying the child-God away, he at once got up, took a few long jumps and soon caught up with them. He took the child from the hands of the old, evil woman who was carry- ing him and then caught hold of all the other demonesses, tied their ponytails to his own tail, and lashed it violently against the ground. He then pulled some of them by the hair and gave them a sound thrashing. Others, he lifted high, whirled them round and round, and finally threw them to the ground. They cried with pain, and tears in their eyes, asking for forgiveness, “Please let us go. We shall never again come to Chhapaiya.” After their sincere pleas, Hanumanji let them go, and they quickly scampered off into the distance. Hanumanji then quickly returned to the village, and gave the child-God to Bhaktimata. He prostrated before her, and said,“Mother, your child is God himself, and I am his humble servant. Please call me whenever you need my help. I shall be at your service.” Bhaktimata, who was stricken with grief, was now greatly relieved. She took the child in her lap, pressed him to her bosom, and cuddled him with affection.The evil accomplices returned to Kalidatt, and gave a report of what happened. Then they declared with one voice, “We shall never again go to Chhapaiya to bring the child-God. He has a servant named Hanuman. This Hanuman nearly beat us to death.” On hearing this, Kalidatta became furious. He sent his most senior demoness, Kotra, with instructions to kill the child-God. Kotra came and stood before Dharmadev’s house. She waited for the child-God to be left alone. But the Lord is all knowing. He looked at Kotra from the corner of his eyes and she started burning instantly. “I am burning, I am dying,” she screamed. Thus shrieking and struggling to douse the flames, she died on the spot. And so Kotra, though as powerful as a giant, was within a short time, destroyed by the Lord. The children of the village were afraid on seeing Kotra’s dead body. Everyone was speechless with fright. They all wondered as to how such an evil woman could