Rama Weeps for Sita and Declares Himself Forever in Hanuman's Debt
Sundara Kanda, Chaupai 32
Doha 32 · Movement 1 of 2
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Hanuman's report falls silent. Rama, the dwelling place of all joy, sees Sita beneath the Ashoka trees through the messenger's words. Water gathers in his lotus eyes until the forest light itself seems to tremble within them.
How can calamity touch the one whose refuge is Rama in word, body, and mind? Hanuman answers from the stillness before him. Calamity is only this: that remembrance and worship of the Lord should cease. What weight can Lanka's demons carry? Rama will conquer the enemy and bring Janaki home.
Then the Lord looks upon his servant. Among gods, humans, sages, and all embodied beings, none has rendered service equal to Hanuman's. Rama can imagine no return for it. He calls him son and confesses that, after searching his own heart, he remains in debt. Again and again he gazes at Hanuman, his eyes flowing, every limb thrilled with love.
The master of the worlds stands indebted before the servant whose only wealth is remembrance.
Read the passage from the Manas
सुनि सीता दुख प्रभु सुख अयना। भरि आए जल राजिव नयना।। बचन काँय मन मम गति जाही। सपनेहुँ बूझिअ बिपति कि ताही।। कह हनुमंत बिपति प्रभु सोई। जब तव सुमिरन भजन न होई।। केतिक बात प्रभु जातुधान की। रिपुहि जीति आनिबी जानकी।। सुनु कपि तोहि समान उपकारी। नहिं कोउ सुर नर मुनि तनुधारी।। प्रति उपकार करौं का तोरा। सनमुख होइ न सकत मन मोरा।। सुनु सुत उरिन मैं नाहीं। देखेउँ करि बिचार मन माहीं।। पुनि पुनि कपिहि चितव सुरत्राता। लोचन नीर पुलक अति गाता।।
Hearing of Sita's suffering, the Lord who is the very wellspring of sukha filled His lotus eyes with tears. He whose course in thought, deed, and word no one can fathom: can bipati even in a dream be said to touch Him? Hanuman spoke: 'O Prabhu, the only true bipati is when Your sumiran and bhajan cease in the heart.' 'What weight do the demons carry, O Lord? You shall conquer the enemy and bring Janaki home.' 'Listen, O Kapi: among gods, men, sages, and all who bear a body, there is none equal to you in upakaar.' 'What prati-upakaar can I make for you? My very mind cannot face you squarely out of gratitude.' 'Hear me, my son. I have looked into My own heart and found that I remain urin, that I cannot repay you.' Again and again the protector of the suras gazed at Hanuman, tears flowing from His eyes, His body thrilled with pulak.