The gracious Lord, who is compassionate to the lowly and the benefactor of KausalyŒ appeared. The thought of His marvellous form, which stole the heart of sages, filled the mother with joy. His body was dark as a cloud, the delight of all eyes; in His four arms He bore His characteristic emblems (a conch-shell, a discus, a club and a lotus). Adorned with jewels and a garland of sylvan flowers and endowed with large eyes, the Slayer of the demon Khara was an ocean of beauty. Joining both her palms the mother said, “O infinite Lord, how can I praise You! The Vedas as well as the PurŒ˜as declare You as transcending MŒyŒ, beyond attributes, above knowledge and beyond all measure. He who is sung by the Vedas and holy men as an ocean of mercy and bliss and the repository of all virtues, the same Lord of Lakƒm¶, the lover of His devotees, has revealed Himself for my good. The Vedas proclaim that every pore of Your body contains multitudes of universes brought forth by MŒyŒ. That such a Lord stayed in my womb—this amusing story staggers the mind of even men of wisdom.” When the revelation came upon the mother, the Lord smiled; He would perform many a sportive act. Therefore He exhorted her by telling her the charming account of her previous birth so that she might love Him as her own child. The mother’s mind was changed; she spoke again, “Give up this superhuman form and indulge in childish sports, which are so dear to a mother’s heart; the joy that comes from such sports is unequalled in everyway.” Hearing these words the all-wise Lord of immortals became an infant and began to cry. Those who sing this lay (says Tulas¶dŒsa) attain to the abode of Ýr¶ Hari and never fall into the well of mundane existence. (1—4)