The Ocean of Joy Rejoices at Prayag
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 106
Doha 106 · Movement 1 of 2
Keep this contemplation
Preserve, print, or share
Who can measure Prayag's power? Before accumulated sin it stands like a lion before a herd of elephants. Ram, himself an ocean of happiness, beholds the beautiful lord of pilgrimages and feels joy rise within him.
He tells Sita, Lakshmana, and Guha its greatness in his own blessed voice. Moving among forest and garden, he bows, lovingly describes their sanctity, and reaches the Triveni whose remembrance gives every auspicious good. He bathes with delight, worships Shiva, and honors the presiding deity according to sacred order.
Then Ram comes before Bharadvaja and prostrates. The sage draws him into an embrace. Learning, austerity, and long contemplation yield to a joy beyond speech, as though the entire treasure of Brahmananda has suddenly taken a beloved form within his arms.
At Bharadvaja's hermitage, the sage clasps the prostrating Lord and finds infinite bliss warm against his heart.
Read the passage from the Manas
को कहि सकइ प्रयाग प्रभाऊ। कलुष पुंज कुंजर मृगराऊ।। अस तीरथपति देखि सुहावा। सुख सागर रघुबर सुखु पावा।। कहि सिय लखनहि सखहि सुनाई। श्रीमुख तीरथराज बड़ाई।। करि प्रनामु देखत बन बागा। कहत महातम अति अनुरागा।। एहि बिधि आइ बिलोकी बेनी। सुमिरत सकल सुमंगल देनी।। मुदित नहाइ कीन्हि सिव सेवा। पुजि जथाबिधि तीरथ देवा।। तब प्रभु भरद्वाज पहिं आए। करत दंडवत मुनि उर लाए।। मुनि मन मोद न कछु कहि जाइ। ब्रह्मानंद रासि जनु पाई।।
Who can tell the glory of Prayag? It is a lion before the elephant-herd of sins. Seeing that beautiful lord of pilgrimage places, Rama, that ocean of joy, Himself felt joy. From His blessed lips He told Sita, Lakshmana, and His companion the greatness of Tirtharaja. Bowing in reverence, gazing at groves and gardens, He spoke of their sacred power with deep love. Thus arriving, He beheld the Triveni, whose very remembrance bestows all auspiciousness. Bathing joyfully, He worshipped Lord Shiva and honored the presiding deity of the tirtha in proper form. Then the Lord came to sage Bharadvaja. As Rama prostrated, the sage clasped Him to his heart. The bliss in the sage's heart was beyond all telling, as though he had found the very treasure of Brahmananda.