By Rama's Grace, a Wisp of Cotton Can Burn the Fire Beneath the Sea
Sundara Kanda, Doha 33
Doha 33 · Movement 2 of 2
Keep this contemplation
Preserve, print, or share
Hanuman's answer opens upon an impossible vision. Far beneath the ocean burns the hidden submarine fire, fed in darkness while immeasurable waters roll above it.
Now imagine a weightless tuft of cotton drifting down toward that devouring flame. By its own nature it should vanish at the first touch. Yet when Rama is favorable, the order of strength reverses. The cotton becomes the burner, and the ocean fire becomes what is burned.
Nothing remains inaccessible to the one who stands beneath the Lord's gracious gaze. This is how one forest messenger crosses the sea, shatters a guarded city, consoles Janaki, and returns untouched. The wonder lies neither in muscle nor daring alone. Rama's power has entered the smallest instrument and made the impossible its natural work.
Grace turns frail cotton into the flame before which even the ocean's fire cannot endure.
Read the passage from the Manas
ता कहुँ प्रभु कछु अगम नहिं जा पर तुम्ह अनुकुल। तब प्रभावँ बड़वानलहिं जारि सकइ खलु तूल।।33।।
Nothing remains beyond reach for the soul upon whom You bestow Your grace. By Your prabhava, even cotton can set ablaze the badavaanala, the fire that burns beneath the ocean.