Sharabhanga Waits for Rama before Entering the Sacred Fire
Aranya Kanda, Chaupai 7
Doha 8 · Movement 1 of 2
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Sharabhanga addresses the compassionate hero of Raghu's line and calls Rama the royal swan upon the lake of Shiva's mind. He had been departing for Brahma's abode when news reached him that Rama would come through the forest. He turned from that celestial journey and watched the path day and night until the Lord's arrival cooled his waiting heart.
The sage calls himself empty of spiritual means and receives the meeting as mercy shown to a lowly servant. Rama has demanded no plea, he says, but has simply kept his vow to devotees. Sharabhanga asks the Lord to remain for the good of the distressed until the sage can abandon the body and meet him again.
Yoga, sacrifice, recitation, austerity, and vows are offered together at Rama's feet. In exchange Sharabhanga chooses the boon of devotion. He prepares the sacred fire, sits with every worldly attachment released from his heart, and makes the final passage not as flight from form, but beneath the gaze of the beloved form he awaited.
Having delayed heaven for Rama's arrival, Sharabhanga enters the fire with devotion as his chosen treasure.
Read the passage from the Manas
कह मुनि सुनु रघुबीर कृपाला। संकर मानस राजमराला।। जात रहेउँ बिरंचि के धामा। सुनेउँ श्रवन बन ऐहहिं रामा।। चितवत पंथ रहेउँ दिन राती। अब प्रभु देखि जुड़ानी छाती।। नाथ सकल साधन मैं हीना। कीन्ही कृपा जानि जन दीना।। सो कछु देव न मोहि निहोरा। निज पन राखेउ जन मन चोरा।। तब लगि रहहु दीन हित लागी। जब लगि मिलौं तुम्हहि तनु त्यागी।। जोग जग्य जप तप ब्रत कीन्हा। प्रभु कहँ देइ भगति बर लीन्हा।। एहि बिधि सर रचि मुनि सरभंगा। बैठे हृदयँ छाड़ि सब संगा।।
The sage spoke: 'Listen, O compassionate hero of Raghu's line. I am like a royal swan dwelling in the Manasa lake of Shankara's heart.' 'I was journeying to the abode of Brahma when I heard that Rama would come to the forest.' 'Day and night I watched the path, and now, seeing my Lord, my heart is cooled at last.' 'O Natha, I am devoid of all spiritual practices. Yet You have shown mercy, knowing this servant to be humble and poor in merit.' 'That grace demands no plea from me. You have simply kept Your vow, O stealer of devotees' hearts.' 'Remain here for the welfare of the suffering, O Lord, until I shed this body and meet You again.' 'All my yoga, yajna, japa, tapa, and vrata I offer to You, my Lord, and in return I receive the supreme boon of bhakti.' Saying this, the sage Sharabhanga prepared the sacred pyre and sat in meditation, releasing all worldly bonds from his heart.