Ram Places Himself before Parashurama's Anger
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 276
Doha 279 · Movement 1 of 2
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With folded hands, Ram speaks in a voice humble, gentle, and cool. A wise sage should not take a child's bold words into his heart. Saints do not condemn children for the restless nature of youth.
Lakshmana has damaged nothing belonging to Parashurama. Ram therefore names himself the offender and asks to receive whatever the master chooses, mercy or anger, restraint or death, as a servant receives his Lord's will.
Tell me what will end your wrath and I will do it. Parashurama replies that anger cannot leave while Lakshmana still looks upon him with disrespect. He has not brought the axe against the youth's throat, so by his own measure he has barely displayed anger at all.
Ram gathers the whole offence onto himself, but Parashurama's gaze remains fixed upon Lakshmana.
Read the passage from the Manas
अति बिनीत मृदु सीतल बानी। बोले रामु जोरि जुग पानी।। सुनहु नाथ तुम्ह सहज सुजाना। बालक बचनु करिअ नहिं काना।। बररै बालक एकु सुभाऊ। इन्हहि न संत बिदूषहिं काऊ।। तेहिं नाहीं कछु काज बिगारा। अपराधी में नाथ तुम्हारा।। कृपा कोपु बधु बँधब गोसाईं। मो पर करिअ दास की नाई।। कहिअ बेगि जेहि बिधि रिस जाई। मुनिनायक सोइ करौं उपाई।। कह मुनि राम जाइ रिस कैसें। अजहुँ अनुज तव चितव अनैसें।। एहि के कंठ कुठारु न दीन्हा। तौ मैं काह कोपु करि कीन्हा।।
With the most humble, gentle, and soothing words, Rama spoke with both hands folded together. 'Listen, O lord, you are naturally wise. Please do not take a child's words to heart. It is the very nature of children to speak boldly. Saints never reproach them for this. He has not spoiled any work of yours. I am the offender before you, O lord. Mercy or anger, bonds or blessings, O master, deal with me as you would with a servant. Tell me quickly by what means your anger may depart. O chief of sages, I will carry out that remedy.' The sage replied, 'Rama, how can my anger depart when even now your brother looks at me with such disrespect?' 'I did not bring my axe down upon his throat. What anger, then, have I truly shown?'