The Poet Bows to Rama beyond Measure and to Hanuman Blazing through the Demon Forest
Sundara Kanda, Shloka 3
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At the threshold of Sundara Kanda, the poet beholds Rama as peaceful, eternal, immeasurable, stainless, and giver of the stillness of liberation. Brahma, Shambhu, and Shesha serve him without ceasing. Vedanta reveals him, yet Maya lets the sovereign of the universe appear as a man. Hari, ocean of compassion, finest of Raghu's line and crown jewel of kings, receives the opening bow.
The prayer enters the heart. Raghupati, inner Self of all, knows that no other desire is hidden there. Let overflowing devotion be granted, and let the mind be made free of lust and every kindred fault. The invocation asks not for distant splendor but for a consciousness cleared and filled by bhakti.
Then Hanuman rises within the same field of praise. His strength is incomparable, his body gleams like a golden mountain, and he is fire to the forest of demons. Foremost among the wise, treasury of every virtue, lord among monkeys, beloved devotee of Raghupati, and wind-born hero, he receives the final salutation before the leap begins.
Rama fills the heart as immeasurable peace, and Hanuman rises like golden fire to carry his work.
Read the passage from the Manas
शान्तं शाश्वतमप्रमेयमनघं निर्वाणशान्तिप्रदं ब्रह्माशम्भुफणीन्द्रसेव्यमनिशं वेदान्तवेद्यं विभुम् । रामाख्यं जगदीश्वरं सुरगुरुं मायामनुष्यं हरिं वन्देऽहं करुणाकरं रघुवरं भूपालचूड़ामणिम्।।1।। नान्या स्पृहा रघुपते हृदयेऽस्मदीये सत्यं वदामि च भवानखिलान्तरात्मा। भक्तिं प्रयच्छ रघुपुङ्गव निर्भरां मे कामादिदोषरहितं कुरु मानसं च।।2।। अतुलितबलधामं हेमशैलाभदेहं दनुजवनकृशानुं ज्ञानिनामग्रगण्यम्। सकलगुणनिधानं वानराणामधीशं रघुपतिप्रियभक्तं वातजातं नमामि।।3।।
I bow to the Lord of the universe, known as Rama: peaceful, eternal, beyond all measure, sinless, bestower of the supreme peace of liberation. He is served ceaselessly by Brahma, Shambhu, and Shesha; knowable through Vedanta, all-pervading, chief among the gods, appearing in human form through Maya. To that Hari, ocean of compassion, jewel of the Raghu line, crown-gem of kings, I offer my humble salutations. O Raghupati, I have no other desire in my heart. I speak the truth, and You are the inner Self of all. Grant me, O best of the Raghus, deep and overflowing bhakti, untainted by the fleeting pleasures of the world. I know no other means, nor mantra, nor any practice. O Rama, compassionate to the humble, I simply take refuge at Your lotus feet.