Mithila Offers All Its Merit for Ram
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 252
Doha 255 · Movement 1 of 2
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As Ram moves, the kings' night of hope vanishes and the stars of their boasts give no light. Proud rulers shrink like night flowers at dawn, while deceitful ones hide like owls. Sages and gods rejoice like chakravaka birds and shower blossoms.
Ram bows lovingly at his guru's feet and seeks the sages' permission. Then the Lord of all worlds walks toward the bow with the unforced majesty of a splendid young elephant. Men and women thrill as he passes.
Across Mithila, people bow inwardly to ancestors and gods. They gather every good deed they have ever performed into one prayer: if our merit possesses any power, may Ram break Shiva's bow as lightly as a lotus stem. A whole city places its unseen treasure beneath his approaching feet.
Every household's hidden merit flows toward the single path between Ram and the bow.
Read the passage from the Manas
नृपन्ह केरि आसा निसि नासी। बचन नखत अवली न प्रकासी।। मानी महिप कुमुद सकुचाने। कपटी भूप उलूक लुकाने।। भए बिसोक कोक मुनि देवा। बरिसहिं सुमन जनावहिं सेवा।। गुर पद बंदि सहित अनुरागा। राम मुनिन्ह सन आयसु मागा।। सहजहिं चले सकल जग स्वामी। मत्त मंजु बर कुंजर गामी।। चलत राम सब पुर नर नारी। पुलक पूरि तन भए सुखारी।। बंदि पितर सुर सुकृत सँभारे। जौं कछु पुन्य प्रभाउ हमारे।। तौ सिवधनु मृनाल की नाईं। तोरहुँ राम गनेस गोसाईं।।
The hopes of the kings perished like the night, and the stars of their boastful words gave no light. The proud monarchs shrank like lotuses at dusk, while the deceitful rulers hid away like owls. The sages and gods rejoiced like chakravaka birds at dawn, showering flowers and offering their devotion. Bowing at his Guru's feet with deep love, Shri Rama humbly sought the sages' permission. The Lord of all the worlds moved forward with natural grace, walking with the majestic gait of a splendid young elephant. As Rama walked, every man and woman in the city felt a thrill of joy course through their bodies. Bowing to their ancestors and the gods, they gathered all their merit, praying: 'If our good deeds hold any power at all, then may Shri Rama, O Lord Ganesha, snap Shiva's bow as easily as a lotus stem.'