Parashurama Praises the Swan of Shiva's Heart
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 282
Doha 285 · Movement 1 of 2
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Parashurama hails Ram as the sun opening the lotus garden of Raghu and the fire consuming the forest of demons. He praises the protector of gods, Brahmins, and cows, the destroyer of pride, delusion, anger, and confusion.
Ram is an ocean of humility, conduct, compassion, and virtue, beautiful beyond millions of Kamadevas, giver of joy to servants, and the swan upon the Manasa lake of Shiva's heart.
One mouth cannot contain the praise. Parashurama asks both brothers, temples of forgiveness, to pardon the improper words born of ignorance. Crying victory to the banner of Raghu, he leaves for the forest and penance. Behind him, wicked kings tremble and cowards flee, their borrowed hope gone with the axe-bearer's surrender.
The axe turns toward the forest, and praise remains where anger had filled the hall.
Read the passage from the Manas
जय रघुबंस बनज बन भानू। गहन दनुज कुल दहन कृसानु।। जय सुर बिप्र धेनु हितकारी। जय मद मोह कोह भ्रम हारी।। बिनय सील करुना गुन सागर। जयति बचन रचना अति नागर।। सेवक सुखद सुभग सब अंगा। जय सरीर छबि कोटि अनंगा।। करौं काह मुख एक प्रसंसा। जय महेस मन मानस हंसा।। अनुचित बहुत कहेउँ अग्याता। छमहु छमामंदिर दोउ भ्राता।। कहि जय जय जय रघुकुलकेतू। भृगुपति गए बनहि तप हेतू।। अपभयँ कुटिल महीप डेराने। जहँ तहँ कायर गवँहिं पराने।।
Glory to You, O sun of the lotus-garden of Raghu's lineage! Glory to the blazing fire that burns the dense forest of demon clans! Glory to the benefactor of the gods, the learned, and the sacred cows! Glory to the one who destroys pride, delusion, anger, and confusion! O ocean of humility, noble conduct, compassion, and all virtues! Glory to You whose speech is supremely graceful and eloquent! Giver of joy to Your devotees, beautiful in every limb! Glory to Your form, whose splendor surpasses a million Kamadevas! What praise can I offer with only one mouth? Glory to You, O swan gliding upon the Manasa lake of Shiva's heart! I have spoken much that was improper, in my ignorance. Forgive me, O both brothers, you who are temples of forgiveness. Crying 'Glory, glory, glory to the banner of Raghu's clan!' the lord of Bhrigu's line departed for the forest to resume his penance. Seeing all this, the wicked kings trembled with fear, and cowards everywhere fled for their lives.