Waves of Love Rise through the Bow Hall
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 259
Doha 262 · Movement 1 of 2
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Ram casts the two halves of Shiva's bow upon the earth. The assembly, purified by the deed, becomes an ocean of milk, and the sight of his full-moon form draws immense waves of love and ecstatic trembling across it.
Drums thunder in the sky. Celestial women dance and sing, while Brahma, gods, siddhas, and great sages praise Ram and pour blessings toward the arena. Flowers and multicoloured garlands rain down as kinnaras add their melodies.
Cries of victory fill the worlds, mingling with the bow's unending roar. Men and women repeat the news wherever voices can travel: Ram has broken the mighty bow of Shiva. The act lasts an instant, but its celebration expands until earth and heaven share one resounding hall.
The broken weapon lies still, while waves of love continue through every world.
Read the passage from the Manas
प्रभु दोउ चापखंड महि डारे। देखि लोग सब भए सुखारे।। कोसिकरुप पयोनिधि पावन। प्रेम बारि अवगाहु सुहावन।। रामरूप राकेसु निहारी। बढ़त बीचि पुलकावलि भारी।। बाजे नभ गहगहे निसाना। देवबधू नाचहिं करि गाना।। ब्रह्मादिक सुर सिद्ध मुनीसा। प्रभुहि प्रसंसहि देहिं असीसा।। बरिसहिं सुमन रंग बहु माला। गावहिं किंनर गीत रसाला।। रही भुवन भरि जय जय बानी। धनुषभंग धुनि जात न जानी।। मुदित कहहिं जहँ तहँ नर नारी। भंजेउ राम संभुधनु भारी।।
The Lord cast both halves of the broken bow upon the ground. All who beheld this were filled with delight. The gathering of Sage Vishvamitra's form became a pure ocean of milk, with beautiful waves of love rising through it. Beholding Rama's form, radiant as the full moon, great waves of thrilling joy arose on every side. Drums thundered across the sky, and celestial maidens danced while singing songs of praise. Brahma and the other gods, siddhas and great sages praised the Lord and showered their blessings. Flowers rained down with garlands of many colors, and kinnaras sang songs of sweetest melody. Cries of "Jaya! Jaya!" filled the whole universe. The sound of the bow breaking seemed to know no end. Men and women everywhere spoke with joyful hearts: "Rama has broken Lord Shiva's mighty bow!"