Atri Asks That His Mind Never Leave Rama's Lotus Feet
Aranya Kanda, Doha 4
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The hymn comes to rest, but Atri's devotion does not. The sage bows his head before Rama, then raises joined hands once more. Praise has crossed the heights of pure consciousness and the eternal fourth, yet his final request is intimate and simple.
He asks for no celestial realm, no mastery, and no reward for austerity. He asks that his mind never abandon the Lord's lotus feet. The prayer gathers all spiritual movement into one fidelity: wherever thought may wander, let its true dwelling remain there.
Rama sits before him in forest garments while the sage places the future of his inner life into that presence. The boon is not a passing vision but an enduring orientation. Atri would have remembrance survive every change, holding mind and heart at the feet he has praised.
After the vast hymn, Atri asks only for a mind that never rises from Rama's feet.
Read the passage from the Manas
बिनती करि मुनि नाइ सिरु कह कर जोरि बहोरि। चरन सरोरुह नाथ जनि कबहुँ तजै मति मोरि।।4।।
After pleading in many ways, knowing the Lord was pleased within, Narada spoke, his lotus-like hands joined in supplication. The celestial sage, who had seen the Lord's maya firsthand, who had been saved from delusion's pit, now stood before his Savior to ask a final boon. His folded hands were like flowers. His words were like offerings. His heart was like a temple where only Rama was enshrined.