The Ferryman Washes the Feet That Ferry Worlds
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 101
Doha 101 · Movement 1 of 2
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Ram yields with a smile. Kevat may do whatever will preserve his boat, but he must bring water quickly and ferry them across. The One whose name, remembered once, bears mortals over the immeasurable ocean of becoming now requests passage from a ferryman.
The Lord who measured creation in three strides waits beside a wooden bowl. Ganga rejoices at the nails of the feet from which her sacred current first arose. Kevat returns with water, his whole being flooded by the permission he has won.
He kneels and begins to wash the lotus feet. Love rises through his hands, water slips into the vessel, and flowers descend from the gods above. Celestial beings marvel at the fortune granted to a humble boatman, for no heap of merit seems equal to this intimate service.
The ferry waits untouched while the ferryman crosses first, carried beyond measure by the water gathered around Ram's feet.
Read the passage from the Manas
कृपासिंधु बोले मुसुकाई। सोइ करु जेंहि तव नाव न जाई।। वेगि आनु जल पाय पखारू। होत बिलंबु उतारहि पारू।। जासु नाम सुमरत एक बारा। उतरहिं नर भवसिंधु अपारा।। सोइ कृपालु केवटहि निहोरा। जेहिं जगु किय तिहु पगहु ते थोरा।। पद नख निरखि देवसरि हरषी। सुनि प्रभु बचन मोहँ मति करषी।। केवट राम रजायसु पावा। पानि कठवता भरि लेइ आवा।। अति आनंद उमगि अनुरागा। चरन सरोज पखारन लागा।। बरषि सुमन सुर सकल सिहाहीं। एहि सम पुन्यपुंज कोउ नाहीं।।
The ocean of compassion spoke with a gentle smile: 'Do whatever preserves your good name.' 'Bring water quickly and wash My feet. There has been enough delay; now ferry us across.' He whose name, remembered even once, carries mortals across the fathomless ocean of worldly existence. That same compassionate Lord now makes a humble request to a boatman. He who measured all creation in three small strides. Seeing the nails of His lotus feet, the Ganga herself rejoiced. Hearing the Lord's words, the mind was drawn into loving enchantment. The boatman received Rama's gracious permission. He filled a wooden bowl with water and brought it reverently. Overflowing with joy and surging with love, he began to wash those lotus feet. All the gods rained flowers from the heavens and sighed in longing: 'There is no one in all the worlds equal to this treasury of merit.'