JOYOUS SOUNDS OF BABY BIRTH ECHOED FROM THE PRISON

JOYOUS SOUNDS OF BABY BIRTH ECHOED FROM THE PRISON

7-OCT-ENG 1

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

BUXAR-----------------------The second day of the 20-day Vijayadashami festival organized by the Shri Ramlila Samiti, Buxar, at the vast Ramlila stage in the historic Kila Maidan—moving enactments of the birth of Shri Krishna and various episodes of the Ramlila were presented. Artists from the 'Shri Balkrishna Raslila Ramlila Mandal' of Vrindavan, performing under the direction of Swami Shri Mohan Shyam Bhardwaj, filled the audience with devotion by staging the 'Krishna Leela' during the day and the 'Ramlila' at night.

During the day, the enchanting story of Lord Krishna's birth was presented. The performance depicted how, following the marriage of Devaki and Vasudeva, a celestial voice prophesied that Devaki's eighth child would put an end to Kansa's tyranny. Terrified, Kansa imprisoned the couple. At midnight on the eighth day of the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha) of the month of Bhadrapada, the divine manifestation of Lord Krishna took place. Acting on the Lord's instructions, Vasudeva carried the infant to Nanda Baba's home in Gokul and returned to Mathura with the baby girl born to Yashoda. Escaping Kansa's grasp, the girl manifested as Yogamaya and warned Kansa that the one destined to destroy him had already been born.

During the scene of Shri Krishna's birth, the entire Ramlila venue became immersed in devotion with the resounding chants of "Nand ​​ke ghar anand bhayo, Jai Kanhaiya Lal ki" (Joy has filled Nanda's home; hail to Kanhaiya Lal).

Meanwhile, the night session featured powerful enactments of the penance of Manu and Satarupa, as well as the birth and tyranny of Ravana. The performance depicted the rigorous penance undertaken by Swayambhuva Manu and Queen Satarupa, their vision of Lord Shri Hari, and the boon they received to have Him as their son. This was followed by scenes portraying Ravana's birth, his acquisition of boons through severe penance, and the atrocities he committed against gods, sages, and his subjects, driven by arrogance. The episode depicting the penance and boons received by Kumbhakarna and Vibhishana was also presented.

The performance also movingly portrayed the backdrop of Lord Shri Ram's incarnation, showing how the gods and sages—tormented by Ravana's atrocities—prayed to Lord Shri Hari to protect righteousness and destroy unrighteousness.

A large number of devotees and spectators gathered to watch the performance, which continued late into the night. The entire Ramlila venue resounded with chants of "Jai Kanhaiya Lal Ki" and "Jai Shri Ram." The audience highly appreciated the artists' performances.

Committee members and office-bearers—including Secretary Baikunthnath Sharma, Joint Secretary Harishankar Gupta, Stage In-charge Uday Sarraf (alias Jokhan), and License-holder Krishna Verma—were present during the performance.