Vali Refuses the Thorn Tree, Asks for Rama's Feet in Every Birth, and Entrusts Angada
Kishkindha Kanda, Chhand 2
Doha 10 · Movement 2 of 3
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Before Vali stands the one whose qualities the Vedas sing by saying, not this, not this. Sages conquer breath and mind, withdraw the senses from pleasure, and may glimpse him only rarely in meditation. Yet that immeasurable Lord has entered the range of Vali's eyes and, knowing the king's former pride, has offered to preserve his body.
Vali answers with a fierce image. What fool would cut down the wish-fulfilling celestial tree and water a thorny babul in its place? Life without this present grace would be the thorn tree. He asks Rama to look upon him with compassion and grant one boon: in whatever womb karma may give him birth, let love for Rama's feet remain.
Then the dying father turns toward Angada. He presents his son as his equal in humility and strength and asks the Lord of gods and humans to accept him. Take him by the arm, Vali pleads. Make Angada your own servant. At the edge of death, the warrior places both his future births and his living child into Rama's keeping.
Vali releases his body only after placing every future birth and Angada's hand with Rama.
Read the passage from the Manas
सो नयन गोचर जासु गुन नित नेति कहि श्रुति गावहीं। जिति पवन मन गो निरस करि मुनि ध्यान कबहुँक पावहीं।। मोहि जानि अति अभिमान बस प्रभु कहेउ राखु सरीरही। अस कवन सठ हठि काटि सुरतरु बारि करिहि बबूरही।।1।। अब नाथ करि करुना बिलोकहु देहु जो बर मागऊँ। जेहिं जोनि जन्मौं कर्म बस तहँ राम पद अनुरागऊँ।। यह तनय मम सम बिनय बल कल्यानप्रद प्रभु लीजिऐ। गहि बाहँ सुर नर नाह आपन दास अंगद कीजिऐ।।2।।
That One whose glories the Shrutis sing forever, saying 'Neti, neti, not this, not this.' Whom the munis, conquering prana and mind, making the senses dry of worldly pleasure, sometimes glimpse in the deepest dhyana. That very Lord now stands visible before my eyes. Knowing me too proud, You said, 'Keep your body.' But what fool would cut down the Kalpavriksha, the wish-fulfilling tree, to plant a thorny babool hedge in its place? (1) Now, O Natha, look upon me with karuna and grant the boon I ask. In whatever womb I may be born by the force of karma, let me always hold love for the feet of Rama. This is my son, equal to me in humility and strength. O Prabhu, bestower of kalyana, please accept him. Take Angada by the arm, O Lord of devas and men, and make him Your own servant. (2)