The Boat, the Axe, and the Boundless Story
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 114
Doha 114 · Movement 1 of 2
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The beautiful story of Ram takes the shape of a strong boat upon the ocean of becoming. Doubts rise like startled birds from its path, and the far shore no longer seems unreachable. On land, the same Katha becomes a keen axe laid against the dark, many-rooted tree of Kali Yuga. Shiva asks the daughter of the mountain to listen with reverence.
The Vedas sing Ram's Name, qualities, lovely deeds, births, and actions, yet none can measure them. As Ram is infinite, his glory and stories open without end. Shiva will speak only what he has heard and what his understanding can hold, drawn onward by the depth of Uma's love and by the beauty of her question.
Still, one phrase must be removed from the heart. Parvati had wondered whether the Ram praised by the Vedas might be someone other than Dasharatha's son. Shiva pauses at that imagined division. Before the Leela unfolds, the identity of its Lord must stand clear.
The boat waits upon the ocean while Shiva removes the last division from the listener's heart.
Read the passage from the Manas
रामकथा सुंदर कर तारी। संसय बिहग उडावनिहारी।। रामकथा कलि बिटप कुठारी। सादर सुनु गिरिराजकुमारी।। राम नाम गुन चरित सुहाए। जनम करम अगनित श्रुति गाए।। जथा अनंत राम भगवाना। तथा कथा कीरति गुन नाना।। तदपि जथा श्रुत जसि मति मोरी। कहिहउँ देखि प्रीति अति तोरी।। उमा प्रस्न तव सहज सुहाई। सुखद संतसंमत मोहि भाई।। एक बात नहि मोहि सोहानी। जदपि मोह बस कहेहु भवानी।। तुम जो कहा राम कोउ आना। जेहि श्रुति गाव धरहिं मुनि ध्याना।।
Ram-katha is the beautiful clap of the hand that sends the bird of doubt flying away. Ram-katha is the axe that fells the tree of Kali Yuga. Listen with reverence, O Girirajakumari, daughter of the Mountain King.