Sampati's New Wings Give Courage, but Every Warrior Doubts the Hundred Yojanas
Kishkindha Kanda, Chaupai 29
Doha 29 · Movement 1 of 2
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Sampati names the task exactly. Whoever can leap the hundred-yojana ocean should complete Rama's work. He asks the monkeys to look at the body transformed by Rama's grace and take courage. Even sinners who remember Rama Nama cross the immeasurable ocean of becoming. How can Rama's own messengers surrender to timidity?
Hold Rama in the heart and find the means. With that exhortation the king of vultures departs, and wonder remains among the monkeys. Each warrior speaks of his strength, yet each also keeps a doubt about reaching the opposite shore.
Then Jambavan, lord of the bears, remembers another age. He is old now and no trace of his first strength remains. When the Lord appeared as Trivikrama, however, Jambavan was young and immeasurably powerful. The silent ocean before the company awakens the memory of a cosmic form that once filled the worlds.
Rama's name can cross the ocean of becoming, yet the gathered heroes still measure the sea before them.
Read the passage from the Manas
जो नाघइ सत जोजन सागर । करइ सो राम काज मति आगर ।। मोहि बिलोकि धरहु मन धीरा । राम कृपाँ कस भयउ सरीरा।। पापिउ जा कर नाम सुमिरहीं। अति अपार भवसागर तरहीं।। तासु दूत तुम्ह तजि कदराई। राम हृदयँ धरि करहु उपाई।। अस कहि गरुड़ गीध जब गयऊ। तिन्ह कें मन अति बिसमय भयऊ।। निज निज बल सब काहूँ भाषा। पार जाइ कर संसय राखा।। जरठ भयउँ अब कहइ रिछेसा। नहिं तन रहा प्रथम बल लेसा।। जबहिं त्रिबिक्रम भए खरारी। तब मैं तरुन रहेउँ बल भारी।।
Whoever can leap across the hundred-yojana ocean, that storehouse of wisdom, should accomplish Rama's task. Look at me, and take courage in your hearts. See what Rama's grace has done to this body of mine! Even sinners who remember His name cross the fathomless ocean of worldly existence. You are His very messengers. Abandon all hesitation, hold Rama in your hearts, and find the way. So speaking, Sampati, that king among vultures, departed. Great wonder filled the monkeys' minds. Each one spoke of his own strength, yet all remained doubtful about crossing over. The lord of bears, Jambavan, said, 'I have grown old; not even a trace of my former strength remains.' 'When the Lord became Trivikrama, the slayer of demons, I was young and possessed of immense power.'