Speech Dances in the Poet's Courtyard
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 105
Doha 105 · Movement 1 of 2
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Yajnavalkya has recognized Bharadvaja's virtue and now promises the Leela of Raghupati. Their meeting fills him with joy beyond speech. Ram's deeds are so immeasurable that even hundreds of crores of Shesha serpents could not narrate them fully.
Still, the sage will tell what he has heard, remembering Saraswati, Shiva, and the bow bearing Lord. Speech herself is a puppet, Ram the unseen master holding every thread. When grace enters a poet's heart, words begin to dance across its courtyard.
Yajnavalkya bows to compassionate Raghunath and prepares to describe his spotless virtues. The story turns once more toward beautiful Kailash, where Shiva and Uma reside and where the question that opens Ram Katha will be asked.
Ram lifts the hidden threads, and language waits in the heart for its first movement.
Read the passage from the Manas
मैं जाना तुम्हार गुन सीला। कहउँ सुनहु अब रघुपति लीला।। सुनु मुनि आजु समागम तोरें। कहि न जाइ जस सुखु मन मोरें।। राम चरित अति अमित मुनिसा। कहि न सकहिं सत कोटि अहीसा।। तदपि जथाश्रुत कहउँ बखानी। सुमिरि गिरापति प्रभु धनुपानी।। सारद दारुनारि सम स्वामी। रामु सूत्रधर अंतरजामी।। जेहि पर कृपा करहिं जनु जानी। कबि उर अजिर नचावहिं बानी।। प्रनवउँ सोइ कृपाल रघुनाथा। बरनउँ बिसद तासु गुन गाथा।। परम रम्य गिरिबरु कैलासू। सदा जहाँ सिव उमा निवासू।।
"I have recognized your virtue and noble character. Now listen, I shall narrate the lila of Raghupati. O sage, today through meeting you, the happiness in my heart cannot be put into words."