Moon Cool Words Quench the Burning Doubt
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 120
Sortha 120 · Movement 1 of 2
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Parvati says Shiva's words have fallen upon her like cool moonbeams. The heavy heat of delusion and ignorance subsides. He knew her devotion to Ram's form, showed compassion, and removed the doubts she could not untie by herself. At the Master's feet sorrow departs, leaving a happiness clear enough to receive further teaching.
She asks him to regard her as his servant, ignorant and simple by nature, and to answer the question first placed before him. Ram is imperishable Brahman, pure consciousness, beyond attributes and present in every heart. Why, then, did he assume a human body and enter the conditions of earthly life?
The request is offered to the bearer of the bull banner with complete humility and pure love for Ram Katha. Shiva hears not only its words but the devotion within them. The next movement of the story waits upon his joy.
The fire of doubt is gone, and beneath the moonlit banyan one question remains luminous.
Read the passage from the Manas
ससि कर सम सुनि गिरा तुम्हारी। मिटा मोह सरदातप भारी।। तुम्ह कृपाल सबु संसउ हरेऊ। राम स्वरुप जानि मोहि परेऊ।। नाथ कृपाँ अब गयउ बिषादा। सुखी भयउँ प्रभु चरन प्रसादा।। अब मोहि आपनि किंकरि जानी। जदपि सहज जड नारि अयानी।। प्रथम जो मैं पूछा सोइ कहहू। जौं मो पर प्रसन्न प्रभु अहहू।। राम ब्रह्म चिनमय अबिनासी। सर्ब रहित सब उर पुर बासी।। नाथ धरेउ नरतनु केहि हेतू। मोहि समुझाइ कहहु बृषकेतू।। उमा बचन सुनि परम बिनीता। रामकथा पर प्रीति पुनीता।।
Hearing your words, cool as moonbeams, the heavy autumn-heat of my delusion has vanished. O compassionate one, you have lifted every doubt from my heart. The form of Ram has appeared before my eyes. What was hidden by the fever of confusion now stands revealed in full radiance, by your grace alone.