Rama Speaks His Human Story, and Hanuman Falls at the Feet of His Lord
Kishkindha Kanda, Chaupai 2
Doha 2 · Movement 1 of 2
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Rama answers without cosmic proclamation. They are the sons of Dasharatha, king of Kosala, come to the forest in obedience to their father's word. Their names are Rama and Lakshmana. A tender and beautiful woman traveled with them, but a demon abducted Vaidehi, and now the brothers wander in search of her. Having told this human sorrow, Rama asks the Brahmin to reveal his own story.
Recognition breaks through Hanuman's assumed form. He falls, grasps Rama's feet, and enters a joy Shiva tells Uma cannot be described. Every hair rises, speech leaves his mouth, and his eyes remain fixed upon the beautiful figure he had questioned as a stranger.
When steadiness returns, Hanuman praises the master his heart has found. It was fitting for a servant in disguise to ask who the travelers were, but why did the Lord question him like an ordinary man? He has wandered bewildered beneath Rama's Maya, and that delusion alone prevented him from recognizing the one who was already his own.
Rama says, I am Dasharatha's son, and the disguised servant suddenly remembers his eternal master.
Read the passage from the Manas
कोसलेस दसरथ के जाए । हम पितु बचन मानि बन आए।। नाम राम लछिमन दौउ भाई। संग नारि सुकुमारि सुहाई।। इहाँ हरि निसिचर बैदेही। बिप्र फिरहिं हम खोजत तेही।। आपन चरित कहा हम गाई। कहहु बिप्र निज कथा बुझाई।। प्रभु पहिचानि परेउ गहि चरना। सो सुख उमा नहिं बरना।। पुलकित तन मुख आव न बचना। देखत रुचिर बेष कै रचना।। पुनि धीरजु धरि अस्तुति कीन्ही। हरष हृदयँ निज नाथहि चीन्ही।। मोर न्याउ मैं पूछा साईं। तुम्ह पूछहु कस नर की नाईं।। तव माया बस फिरउँ भुलाना। ता ते मैं नहिं प्रभु पहिचाना।।
'We are the sons of Dasharatha, king of Kosala. We came to the forest in obedience to our father's word. Our names are Rama and Lakshmana, two brothers. With us was a tender and beautiful woman. Here in this forest a demon carried away Vaidehi. We wander searching for her, O Brahmin. We have told you our story. Now tell us your own tale, O Brahmin, so that we may understand.' Recognizing his Lord, Hanuman fell and grasped His feet. That joy, O Uma, cannot be described. His body thrilled with ecstasy, and no words would come from his mouth. He simply gazed at the beautiful form before him. Then, gathering courage, he offered praise, his heart rejoicing at having recognized his own Master. 'It was right for me to ask, O Lord, but why do You question me as though You were an ordinary man? I wander deluded, under the power of Your maya. That is why I failed to recognize You, my Lord.'