Skip to main content
राम

Sundarakāṇḍa · गीत 262

Sundarakāṇḍa Song 44: The Ancient Vow to Aid the Lowly

Complete song 262 of 330

दीन-हित बिरद पुराननि गायो। आरत-बंधु, कृपालु, मृदुल-चित जानि सरन हौं आयो॥ १ ॥ तुम्हरे रिपुको अनुज बिभीषन, बंस निसाचर जायो। सुनि गुन-सील-सुभाउ नाथको मैं चरननि चितु लायो॥ २ ॥ जानत प्रभु दुख-सुख दासनिको, तातें कहि न सुनायो। करि करुना भरि नयन बिलोकहु, तब जानौं अपनायो॥ ३ ॥ बचन बिनीत सुनत रघुनायक हँसि करि निकट बुलायो। भेंट्यो हरि भरि अंक भरत-ज्यों, लंकापति मन भायो॥ ४ ॥ करपंकज सिर परसि अभय कियो, जनपर हेतु दिखायो। तुलसिदास रघुबीर भजन करि को न परमपद पायो?॥ ५ ॥

“The Purāṇas sing your ancient glory as benefactor of the lowly. Knowing you as friend of the afflicted, compassionate and tender-hearted, I have come for refuge. (1) I am Vibhīṣaṇa, younger brother of your enemy, born in the race of night-rangers. Hearing of the Lord’s virtue, character, and nature, I fixed my heart upon your feet. (2) The Lord already knows his servants’ sorrow and joy, so I have not recounted mine. Look upon me with compassion, filling your eyes; then I shall know that you have made me your own.” (3) Hearing these humble words, the Lord of Raghu smiled and called him close. Hari took the future lord of Laṅkā fully into his embrace, just as he would Bharata, and cherished him in his heart. (4) Touching his head with a lotus hand, he made him fearless and revealed his love for his servant. Tulsīdāsa asks: who has worshiped Raghubīra and not attained the highest state? (5)