Lord and Sage Bow to One Another
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 108
Doha 108ख · Movement 1 of 2
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Bharadvaja's praise makes Ram shy, saturated with the joy of loving devotion. Raghubar answers by proclaiming the sage's beautiful renown in countless ways. Whoever receives such honor from this master of sages, Ram says, must be a dwelling of every virtue.
The two bow to each other. No language can contain the happiness passing between the Lord who honors his devotee and the devotee who sees his Lord. News spreads through Prayag, drawing students, ascetics, sages, perfected beings, and renunciants toward the hermitage.
They gather to behold Dasharatha's radiant sons. Ram bows to every visitor, and each receives the longed for reward of sight. Blessings fill the clearing before the seekers depart, carrying praise of his beauty along every path from Bharadvaja's dwelling.
When Ram and Bharadvaja bow to each other, humility becomes a radiance that summons every kind of seeker.
Read the passage from the Manas
सुनि मुनि बचन रामु सकुचाने। भाव भगति आनंद अघाने।। तब रघुबर मुनि सुजसु सुहावा। कोटि भाँति कहि सबहि सुनावा।। सो बड सो सब गुन गन गेहू। जेहि मुनीस तुम्ह आदर देहू।। मुनि रघुबीर परसपर नवहीं। बचन अगोचर सुखु अनुभवहीं।। यह सुधि पाइ प्रयाग निवासी। बटु तापस मुनि सिद्ध उदासी।। भरद्वाज आश्रम सब आए। देखन दसरथ सुअन सुहाए।। राम प्रनाम कीन्ह सब काहू। मुदित भए लहि लोयन लाहू।। देहिं असीस परम सुखु पाई। फिरे सराहत सुंदरताई।।
Hearing the sage's words, Rama grew bashful, his heart brimming with bhav-bhakti and ananda. Then Raghubar praised the muni's radiant fame, recounting it in a thousand ways for all to hear. Truly great is he, the abode of every virtue, to whom you, O Munisvara, show such honour. The muni and Raghuvir bowed to one another, tasting a joy that no words could ever reach. When the word spread, every soul dwelling at Prayag, batu, tapas, muni, siddha, and udasi, came forth. All gathered at Bharadvaj's ashram to behold the beautiful sons of Dasharatha. Rama offered pranaam to each and every one, and all rejoiced, gaining the reward of their eyes. Blessed in the deepest way, they gave their ashirvad and departed, praising his breathtaking beauty.