Sharabhanga Enters Vaikuntha, and Rama Weeps before the Sages' Bones
Aranya Kanda, Chaupai 8
Doha 9 · Movement 1 of 2
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Sharabhanga kindles the fire of yoga and burns the body. By Rama's grace he ascends to Vaikuntha, yet does not merge without distinction into Hari, for he had already chosen the boon of devotion that preserves lover and beloved. The gathered sages rejoice at his blessed destination and praise the root of compassion who protects those who surrender.
Raghunatha then travels deeper into the forest with great companies of sages following. The living procession comes upon heaps of bones whitening the ground. Compassion seizes Rama, and he asks whose remains lie scattered there, though the sages know the all-seeing knower of hearts needs no information.
They tell him that hosts of night-wandering demons have devoured the ascetics. The answer changes the Lord's face. Tears gather in Raghuvira's eyes as he looks upon the remains of those who kept their disciplines in the forest. Joy at one sage's liberation now stands beside grief for the violence inflicted upon many.
The fire of liberation fades behind them, and ahead the pale bones of murdered sages fill Rama's eyes with tears.
Read the passage from the Manas
अस कहि जोग अगिनि तनु जारा। राम कृपाँ बैकुंठ सिधारा।। ताते मुनि हरि लीन न भयऊ। प्रथमहिं भेद भगति बर लयऊ।। रिषि निकाय मुनिबर गति देखि। सुखी भए निज हृदयँ बिसेषी।। अस्तुति करहिं सकल मुनि बृंदा। जयति प्रनत हित करुना कंदा।। पुनि रघुनाथ चले बन आगे। मुनिबर बृंद बिपुल सँग लागे।। अस्थि समूह देखि रघुराया। पूछी मुनिन्ह लागि अति दाया।। जानतहुँ पूछिअ कस स्वामी। सबदरसी तुम्ह अंतरजामी।। निसिचर निकर सकल मुनि खाए। सुनि रघुबीर नयन जल छाए।।
Saying this, the sage burned his body in the fire of yoga, and by Rama's grace he departed to Vaikuntha. Yet the sage did not dissolve into Hari. He had already chosen the boon of devotional love, which keeps the beloved Lord and the lover distinct. Seeing the great sage's blessed destiny, the assembly of rishis felt a special joy bloom in their hearts. All the gathered sages raised their voices in praise: 'Glory to the compassionate Lord, the root of mercy, the refuge of the devoted!' Then Raghunath walked deeper into the forest, and many groups of great sages followed with him. Seeing heaps of bones along the way, Raghuraya asked the sages with tender compassion what had happened. The sages replied: 'Why do You ask, O Swami? You are the all-seeing one, the knower of every heart.' When Rama heard that demons had devoured all those sages, tears filled the eyes of Raghuvira.