Song 9

347. One day Śacī-devī in her heart decided to follow a vow of worshiping Goddess Saṣṭhī. Accompanied by the village ladies, she observed that vow under a banyan tree.

348. She prepared nice offerings of food, ceovered them with the edge of her garment, she happily carried them to the banyan tree.

349. At that moment Lord Viśvambhara Rāya was playing and playing on the path. Seeing His mother, He ran to her and asked: "What do You carry in Your hands?"

350. Extending His arms, He blocked the path. He wanted to stop His mother. "What is it? What offering do you carry? I want it." He demanded.

351. She said: "I carry food offerings to worship the demigods. I am going to a banyan tree to worship Goddess Saṣṭhī. Now You go and play.

352. "Listen, dear son. Later I will come back and give You sandeśa and banana. Now I will worship the goddess. I will ask a boon from her. With her boon I will destroy all Your sufferings."

353. In this way she spoke. Aware of what was in His mother’s heart, Śrī Viśvambhara gently spoke. Wwords like nectar came to His mouth.

354. He said: "Again and again I tell You, O foolish mother, that You do not understand. Great flames burn in My stomach. I will eat the offering now."

355. Speaking these words, Lord Gaura-Harī grabbed the offering and pushed it into His mouth. Seeing this, Mother Śacī said: "Alas! Alas! Flames of suffering now burn in my heart.

356. "I have seen my Viśvambhara eat the sweets meant to be offered to the demigods, sweets made of honey and milk and ghee." Flames burned in Śacī’s heart. Tears of anger streamed from her eyes.

357. She said: "Foolish son, how many times have I tried to teach You? Still You do not honor the demigods! You are a brāhmaṇa’s son. Still You act badly. Because of You I will die of suffering."

358. Hearing His mother’s words, the jewel that is Lord Gaura became angry. Flames burned in His heart. He said: "You don’t know anything. The words You speak to Me are nonsense.

359. "Listen, foolish mother. I know everything. I am the most exalted person in the three worlds. I Myself am the whole world. The three worlds are not something different from Me.

360. "As by watering a tree’s root one waters all the branches, and as by feeding the stomach one protects all the senses, so it is written of Me (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.31.14):

361. yathā taror mūla-niṣecanena tṛpyantī yat-skandha-bhujopaśākhāḥ prāṇopahārāc ca yathendriyāṇāṃ tathaiva sarvārhaṇam acyutejyā

"‘As pouring water on the root of a tree energizes the trunk, branches, twigs, and everything else, and as supplying food to the stomach enlivens the senses and limbs of the body, simply worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead trhough devotional service automatically satisfies the demigods, who are parts of the Supreme Personality. "*

362. After speaking these wise words, Lord Gaura-Harī hugged His mother’s neck. Her heart filled with wonder, Śacī went to worship Goddess Saṣṭhī.

363. In many was she served Goddess Saṣṭhī. With a voice choked with emotion she begged: "O goddess, my son is very mischievous. Please forgive His offenses.

364. "You gave Him to me. Why should you take His offenses seriously. Please give auspiciousness to my son. Please don’t be angry with Him.

365. "I do not have five or seven sons. Nimāī is my great treasure. Please be merciful to Him. Let no calamity befall Him. O goddess, this boy is yours.

366. After speaking these words, Śacī fell at the feet of the elder ladies. Humbly bowing before them, she begged: "Please give a blessing.

367. "Please give the dust of your feet so I may place it on my son’s head. Then my very mischievous son will become sober and intelligent."

368. Placing a straw between her teeth, Śacī spoke these words. Worshiping the elder ladies feet, she prayed: "Please bless my son Viśvambhara that He will live a long life."

369. Thus completing her worship of Goddess Saṣṭhī, Śacī-devi, holding her son’s hand, returned home. Later to Jagannātha Miśra she revealed what was in her heart.

370. What more can I say? Lord Gaura is the master of all the demigods. Manifest on the earth, He enjoyed many pastimes playing with a host of boys. Thus says Locana dāsa.