The Master Beneath the Branch
Bala Kanda, Sortha 29
Sortha 29 · Movement 2 of 2
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Ram stands upon the earth beneath a forest tree while a vanara sits high upon its branch. Every worldly arrangement has been reversed. The Lord is below, the monkey above, yet no injury touches divine dignity. Ram raises forest dwellers to his own companionship and makes their counsel part of his victory.
Tulsidas gazes upon this treasury of gracious conduct. If Ram's goodness extends to everyone, then even the poor poet may hope to be included. Having confessed his virtues and faults, he bows once more before the assembly and prepares to sing the spotless fame of Raghuvar, whose hearing burns away the impurity of Kali.
The branch stirs above the Lord. Mercy has made hierarchy itself bow.
The monkey remains above the Master, and Ram's humility illumines the forest.
Read the passage from the Manas
प्रभु तरु तर कपि डार पर ते किए आपु समान।। तुलसी कहूँ न राम से साहिब सीलनिधान।।29(क)।। राम निकाईं रावरी है सबही को नीक। जों यह साँची है सदा तौ नीको तुलसीक।।29(ख)।। एहि बिधि निज गुन दोष कहि सबहि बहुरि सिरु नाइ। बरनउँ रघुबर बिसद जसु सुनि कलि कलुष नसाइ।।29(ग)।।
The Lord stood beneath the tree while the monkey perched on the branch above Him, yet He raised those monkeys to be His own equals. Tulsidas says: there is no master in all the world like Ram, that boundless treasury of grace and tender humility.