Shiva Fills His Eyes with Ram
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 50
Doha 50 · Movement 1 of 2
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Then Shiva sees him. Ram moves through the forest in the sorrow of separation, and extraordinary joy rises in Mahadeva's heart. He fills his eyes with the ocean of beauty, taking in the dark form he had longed to behold. Yet the hour is delicate. Open worship would expose what the Leela keeps concealed.
Shiva offers only a sign of recognition and speaks softly into the forest: glory to Satchidananda, purifier of the world. Then the conqueror of desire continues along the path with Sati, his body thrilled again and again by devotion.
Sati watches the Lord of the universe pass a grieving prince in such inward ecstasy. Gods, sages, and human beings bow to Shiva, yet Shiva has hailed this royal exile as supreme Reality. His love remains unrestrained long after the two figures have passed, and a great doubt begins to form beside him.
Shiva walks on, but his eyes remain filled with the dark prince beneath the trees.
Read the passage from the Manas
संभु समय तेहि रामहि देखा। उपजा हियँ अति हरपु बिसेषा।। भरि लोचन छबिसिंधु निहारी। कुसमय जानिन कीन्हि चिन्हारी।। जय सच्चिदानंद जग पावन। अस कहि चलेउ मनोज नसावन।। चले जात सिव सती समेता। पुनि पुनि पुलकत कृपानिकेता।। सतीं सो दसा संभु कै देखी। उर उपजा संदेहु बिसेषी।। संकरु जगतबंद्य जगदीसा। सुर नर मुनि सब नावत सीसा।। तिन्ह नृपसुतहि नह परनामा। कहि सच्चिदानंद परधमा।। भए मगन छबि तासु बिलोकी। अजहुँ प्रीति उर रहति न रोकी।।
At that moment Shambhu beheld Ram, and immense joy arose in his heart. He filled his eyes gazing upon that ocean of beauty, yet knowing it was not the right occasion, he did not draw attention to himself.