Ram Bows until Parashurama Begins to See
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 279
Doha 282 · Movement 1 of 2
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Ram explains that Lakshmana saw axe, arrows, and bow and mistook their bearer for a warrior. He knew Parashurama's name without recognizing the sage. Had the visitor come clothed only in peace, the child would have placed his foot dust upon his head.
Forgive an error born of ignorance. Compassion should overflow in a Brahmin's heart. How can Ram compare himself with Parashurama, as though head and feet stood equal?
Even their names reveal the distance. Ram's is small; Parashurama's is enlarged by the axe. Ram bears a bow with one string, while the sage possesses nine sacred virtues. In every way, Ram declares himself defeated and asks forgiveness. Humility descends so completely that anger must either soften or expose its own blindness.
Ram lowers himself beneath every comparison, leaving wrath with nowhere honourable to stand.
Read the passage from the Manas
देखि कुठार बान धनु धारी। भै लरिकहि रिस बीरु बिचारी।। नामु जान पै तुम्हहि न चीन्हा। बंस सुभायँ उतरु तेंहिं दीन्हा।। जौं तुम्ह औतेहु मुनि की नाईं। पद रज सिर सिसु धरत गोसाईं।। छमहु चूक अनजानत केरी। चहिअ बिप्र उर कृपा घनेरी।। हमहि तुम्हहि सरिबरि कसि नाथा।।कहहु न कहाँ चरन कहँ माथा।। राम मात्र लघु नाम हमारा। परसु सहित बड़ नाम तोहारा।। देव एकु गुनु धनुष हमारें। नव गुन परम पुनीत तुम्हारें।। सब प्रकार हम तुम्ह सन हारे। छमहु बिप्र अपराध हमारे।।
Seeing the axe, arrows, and bow in Your hand, the child grew angry, taking You for a warrior. Your name he knows, yet he did not recognize You. It is the nature of his lineage that made him speak so. Had You come in the manner of a sage, O Lord, this child would have placed the dust of Your feet upon his head. Forgive this error born of innocence. A Brahmin's heart should hold compassion in abundance. How can there be any comparison between us, O Master? Tell me, where are the feet and where is the head? 'Rama' is merely our small name. Yours, adorned with the axe (Parashu-Rama), is far greater. Our bow, O Lord, possesses but one virtue. Yours holds nine supremely sacred qualities. In every way, we stand defeated before You. Forgive our offenses, O Brahmin.