Sutikshna Leads Rama to Agastya, and the Great Sage Runs to Meet Him
Aranya Kanda, Chaupai 11
Doha 12 · Movement 1 of 2
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Rama grants the prayer and joyfully prepares to visit Agastya, the pot-born sage. Sutikshna admits that many days have passed since he saw his guru. Now he wishes to go with the Lord beside him, cleverly making Rama the companion of his return. The two brothers smile at the loving device and take Sutikshna along.
Speaking on the path of incomparable devotion, Sutikshna reaches the hermitage and runs ahead. He prostrates before Agastya and announces that the princes of Kosala have come, Rama with Vaidehi and Lakshmana, the foundation of the world upon whom the gods meditate day and night.
Agastya rises at once and rushes outward. At the sight of Hari, tears fill his eyes. The brothers fall at his lotus feet, and he gathers them to his heart with immense affection. He seats the guests, worships Rama in many ways, and calls himself unequalled in good fortune. Every sage in the assembly rejoices upon seeing the root of happiness.
Sutikshna's joyful cunning opens the hermitage gate, and Agastya runs through it with tears already in his eyes.
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एवमस्तु करि रमानिवासा। हरषि चले कुभंज रिषि पासा।। बहुत दिवस गुर दरसन पाएँ। भए मोहि एहिं आश्रम आएँ।। अब प्रभु संग जाउँ गुर पाहीं। तुम्ह कहँ नाथ निहोरा नाहीं।। देखि कृपानिधि मुनि चतुराई। लिए संग बिहसै द्वौ भाई।। पंथ कहत निज भगति अनूपा। मुनि आश्रम पहुँचे सुरभूपा।। तुरत सुतीछन गुर पहिं गयऊ। करि दंडवत कहत अस भयऊ।। नाथ कौसलाधीस कुमारा। आए मिलन जगत आधारा।। राम अनुज समेत बैदेही। निसि दिनु देव जपत हहु जेही।। सुनत अगस्ति तुरत उठि धाए। हरि बिलोकि लोचन जल छाए।। मुनि पद कमल परे द्वौ भाई। रिषि अति प्रीति लिए उर लाई।। सादर कुसल पूछि मुनि ग्यानी। आसन बर बैठारे आनी।। पुनि करि बहु प्रकार प्रभु पूजा। मोहि सम भाग्यवंत नहिं दूजा।। जहँ लगि रहे अपर मुनि बृंदा। हरषे सब बिलोकि सुखकंदा।।
Saying 'Evamastu' (so be it), Rama, the dwelling place of Rama (Lakshmi), set forth joyfully toward the sage Kubhanja. The sage said, 'Many days have passed since I had darshan of my guru. I have been lingering here in this ashram all this while.' 'Now, with You beside me, O Lord, let me go to my guru. For You, O Natha, there is no need of any entreaty.' Seeing the sage's loving cleverness, the treasure of mercy smiled and took both brothers along with him. Speaking of his own incomparable devotion along the way, the sage led them until they reached the hermitage, with the Lord of the gods walking beside him. At once Sutikshna ran to his guru and, prostrating in full dandavat, spoke these words. 'O Natha, the princes of Kausaladheesh have come for your darshan. They are the very foundation of this world.' 'Rama, together with his younger brother and Vaidehi. They are the ones whom the gods meditate upon day and night.' Hearing this, Agastya rose at once and rushed forward. The moment he saw Hari, tears covered his eyes. Both brothers fell at the sage's lotus feet, and the rishi, overcome with love, drew them close to his heart. The wise sage respectfully asked after their welfare and brought the finest seats for them. Then, worshipping the Lord in many beautiful ways, the sage declared, 'There is no one as fortunate as I.' All the other groups of sages who were present there rejoiced upon beholding Sukhakanda, the very root of all happiness.