Atri Wonders What Austerity Could Have Earned This Sight
Aranya Kanda, Chhand 2
Doha 7क · Movement 2 of 3
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Atri stands saturated with love. Every hair rises, and his love-filled eyes remain fixed upon Rama's lotus face. Before him is the Lord who exceeds the reach of mind, knowledge, and every describable quality. The sage's learning has arrived at a sight before which learning falls silent.
He searches his life of discipline and asks what japa or austerity could possibly have brought Rama before him. The question is wonder, not calculation. No practice appears proportionate to the grace now filling the hermitage, and accomplishment loses its claim in the immediacy of the beloved form.
The verse remembers that through japa, yoga, and the whole company of dharmic disciplines, a person may receive the incomparable gift of devotion. Then Tulsi places himself among the servants who sing Raghuvira's purifying deeds day and night, turning the sage's astonishment into an unending current of praise.
Atri can count his austerities, but none can measure the grace of seeing Rama before him.
Read the passage from the Manas
तन पुलक निर्भर प्रेम पुरन नयन मुख पंकज दिए। मन ग्यान गुन गोतीत प्रभु मैं दीख जप तप का किए।। जप जोग धर्म समूह तें नर भगति अनुपम पावई। रधुबीर चरित पुनीत निसि दिन दास तुलसी गावई।।
His body thrilling, saturated with love, eyes and lotus-face shining, the sage beheld the Lord who is beyond the reach of mind, knowledge, and all virtues. "What japa did I perform? What tapas did I undertake to behold you today?" Through japa, yoga, and the whole host of dharmas, a soul may at last attain the matchless gift of bhakti. Day and night, the servant Tulasi sings the holy deeds of Raghuveer.