Ram Appears Before His Devotee
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 76
Doha 76 · Movement 1 of 2
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Shiva travels from hermitage to hermitage. In one place he gives sages knowledge; in another he listens as Ram's virtues are sung. Though utterly desireless, he still knows the pain of separation from the devotee whose love once shared Kailash. Time passes, and his devotion to Ram's feet grows ever new.
Ram beholds the unwavering line of bhakti written through Shiva's heart and manifests before him, radiant with beauty, gracious conduct, and immense splendour. The grateful Lord praises the vow no one else could have sustained.
Then Ram tells Shiva of Parvati's birth and the sacred austerity she has completed. Every hardship in the forest is described by the ocean of mercy. The lost form of Sati is not being restored by repetition. Devotion has ripened through a new birth, and a new union now waits.
Ram stands before Shiva and speaks the name Parvati into the long silence of separation.
Read the passage from the Manas
कतहुँ मुनिन्ह उपदेसहिं ग्याना। कतहुँ राम गुन करहिं बखाना।। जदपि अकाम तदपि भगवाना। भगत बिरह दुख दुखित सुजाना।। एहि बिधि गयउ कालु बहु बीती। नित नै होइ राम पद प्रीती।। नैमु प्रेमु संकर कर देखा। अबिचल हृदयँ भगति कै रेखा।। प्रगटै रामु कृतग्य कृपाला। रूप सील निधि तेज बिसाला।। बहु प्रकार संकरहि सराहा। तुम्ह बिनु अस ब्रतु को निरबाहा।। बहुबिधि राम सिवहि समुझावा। पारबती कर जन्मु सुनावा।। अति पुनीत गिरिजा कै करनी। बिस्तर सहित कृपानिधि बरनी।।
Sometimes he imparts wisdom to the sages; sometimes he sings the glories of Ram's virtues. Though he is beyond all desire, still the Lord suffers many pangs from the separation of his devotee.