Page:History of Bengali Language and Literature.djvu/154

 124 BENGALI LANGUAGE & LITERATURE. [ Chap. than the home, with all the social relationships which centre there. To take the motherly instinct first; when the child was helpless and entirely dependent on mercy, who gave it food? Who watched over it and protected it with the utmost care? It was the mother. Now a Vaisnava, would say that it was not in the power of a frail woman to undergo such sacrifices; it was God’s mercy needed for the protection of the helpless child that manifested itself in her motherly love. So the ‘Vatsalya Vaisnavas see Him in the mother. 11)15 15 বাতসল্য- Bhaba.’ ভাব. man is made a father, he,—rough, rude-tempered, ’ 3ut this has also another aspect; when a cruel man, becomes tenderness itself at the sight of the baby. Now such kindness was not inherent in his nature: and the Vaisnava sees in the child, who can evoke these feelings, the love of God Himself. So in friendship also, which ts called (5155, ‘F217’; in the devotion of a servant, which is called ‘Dasya’ ‘yy’ or in *{{@ that quietness of soul which is and : ঃ ই না ‘ ‘Canta.’ attained by the elders of the family, living the life of the religious recluse, we have only other forms of the realization of divinity. Thus, the Vaisnava’s environment throbs with a new life as ke becomes conscious of divine love, and realizes the presence of God everywhere. His social and domestic ties only bind him with his god and in the voices of affection all around, he discovers the loving call of. Him who wants all souls to come near Him,: but whose voice is not heard by ears deafened with the tumult of the world. Madhur > oe রর - টা Bhaba But higher than any where else is the manifesta- tion of God known to us in the love of man and woman. This embodies in itseif the quintessence of