The Eyewitnesses Place Ram beyond All Comparison
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 290
Doha 293 · Movement 1 of 2
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The messengers continue: Parashurama arrived in fury and threatened the brothers with his eyes. After witnessing Ram's strength, he surrendered his own bow, offered humble praise, and returned to the forest.
Ram's power is incomparable, and Lakshmana is a treasury of radiance. Kings tremble before the younger prince as elephants before a young lion. Having seen Dasharatha's sons, the messengers say no one else can occupy their vision.
Their account is woven from love, majesty, and heroic feeling. Dasharatha and the entire court become absorbed and begin offering gifts. When anyone calls such giving improper, they close their ears. Dharma itself seems delighted to honour those who carried the sight of Ram home.
The messengers arrived bearing a letter, but their eyes have brought Ayodhya something greater than writing.
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सुनि सरोष भृगुनायकु आए। बहुत भाँति तिन्ह आँखि देखाए।। देखि राम बलु निज धनु दीन्हा। करि बहु बिनय गवनु बन कीन्हा।। राजन रामु अतुलबल जैसें। तेज निधान लखनु पुनि तैसें।। कंपहि भूप बिलोकत जाकें। जिमि गज हरि किसोर के ताकें।। देव देखि तव बालक दोऊ। अब न आँखि तर आवत कोऊ।। दूत बचन रचना प्रिय लागी। प्रेम प्रताप बीर रस पागी।। सभा समेत राउ अनुरागे। दूतन्ह देन निछावरि लागे।। कहि अनीति ते मूदहिं काना। धरमु बिचारि सबहिं सुख माना।।
Hearing this, the chief of the Bhrigus, Parashurama, arrived in great fury. He glared at them in many threatening ways. But seeing Rama's strength, he surrendered his own bow. With many humble entreaties, he departed for the forest. O King, Rama possesses strength beyond compare, and Lakshmana is likewise a treasury of radiance. Kings tremble merely at his glance, as elephants quake before the gaze of a young lion. O lord, having seen your two sons, no one else can stand before my eyes. The messengers' eloquent words were deeply pleasing, steeped in love, majesty, and heroic feeling. The king, together with the entire court, was overjoyed and began showering generous gifts upon the messengers. They stopped their ears against any words of impropriety, and reflecting on dharma, all felt contentment.