Faith Places Ram Before Shiva's Bow
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 220
Doha 223 · Movement 1 of 2
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The women agree that Sita's marriage to Ram would bless everyone. Then the obstacle returns: Shiva's bow is unimaginably hard, while the dark youth appears tender. Confusion passes through the group.
A gentle voice restores faith. Great power can remain hidden within a small form. The dust of Ram's lotus feet released Ahalya from the immense burden of her curse. How could that Lord fail before the bow?
The Creator who fashioned Sita has also created this dark bridegroom with thoughtful fitness. The women receive the argument with joy and pray that events unfold exactly so. Devotion sees correspondence where appearances see impossibility.
Before anyone has seen Ram lift the bow, Mithila's women place their faith beneath it.
Read the passage from the Manas
बोली अपर कहेहु सखि नीका। एहिं बिआह अति हित सबहीं का।। कोउ कह संकर चाप कठोरा। ए स्यामल मृदुगात किसोरा।। सबु असमंजस अहइ सयानी। यह सुनि अपर कहइ मृदु बानी।। सखि इन्ह कहँ कोउ कोउ अस कहहीं। बड़ प्रभाउ देखत लघु अहहीं।। परसि जासु पद पंकज धूरी। तरी अहल्या कृत अघ भूरी।। सो कि रहिहि बिनु सिवधनु तोरें। यह प्रतीति परिहरिअ न भोरें।। जेहिं बिरंचि रचि सीय सँवारी। तेहिं स्यामल बरु रचेउ बिचारी।। तासु बचन सुनि सब हरषानीं। ऐसेइ होउ कहहिं मुदु बानी।।
Another woman spoke: "You say well, dear friend. This marriage would bring great blessing to all." Someone replied: "But Shankara's bow is terribly hard, and these two are so young, so tender, so innocent."