02 The Vow of the Unborn The Supreme Pastimes — The Divine Arrival ======================================== Kaṁsa’s iron throne spread shadows wide Allied with demons, drunk on pride He shattered peace, he shattered kin While Devakī trembled deep within Yet from the dark arose a flame Ananta stirred in Devakī’s name The Lord of time, beyond the womb Prepared to step into the gloom The vow is kept, the Absolute descends To guard the truth, to guide, to cleanse The unborn walks where demons reign And plants His feet on earthly pain Yogamāyā veils the sacred light Transfers Balarāma into night Devakī glows with sacred fire While Kaṁsa burns in dread and ire O lotus-eyed, O mercy's flame The gods appear and praise Your name From Brahmā’s lips, the prayers flow free Truth eternal, revealed to see The vow is kept, the Absolute descends To guard the truth, to guide, to cleanse The unborn walks where demons reign And plants His feet on earthly pain No void, no veil, no mental chain Can grasp His form or break His name Beyond all senses, still He came To shatter doubt and burn the shame The sages see, the fools remain In realms of thought, they drown in vain But those who serve, with love and breath Transcend the birth, transcend the death The vow is kept, the Absolute descends To guard the truth, to guide, to cleanse The unborn walks where demons reign And plants His feet on earthly pain The vow is kept, the Absolute descends The lotus blooms where shadow ends