Vashishtha Confesses Why He Accepted the Priesthood of Rama's House
Uttara Kanda, Chaupai 46
Doha 48 · Movement 1 of 2
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Sage Vashishtha comes to the beautiful dwelling of happiness. Rama receives him with profound honor, washes his feet, and gathers the sacred water, while the Guru stands astonished before the conduct of the one he came to guide.
With folded hands, Vashishtha confesses that Rama's repeated humility fills his heart with immeasurable wonder. Even the Vedas do not know the limit of this glory. How can the family priest hope to speak it?
Vashishtha recalls that priestly office is criticized as a lowly occupation in Veda, Purana, and Smriti. When he hesitated to accept it, Brahma revealed the hidden reward: the Supreme Self, Brahman in human form, would appear as the king and ornament of Raghu's line. What seemed an ordinary hereditary duty became a place from which the Guru could serve the limitless Lord face to face.
Vashishtha accepted a humble office because Brahma showed him that its true altar would be Rama in human form.
Read the passage from the Manas
एक बार बसिष्ट मुनि आए। जहाँ राम सुखधाम सुहाए।। अति आदर रघुनायक कीन्हा। पद पखारि पादोदक लीन्हा।। राम सुनहु मुनि कह कर जोरी। कृपासिंधु बिनती कछु मोरी।। देखि देखि आचरन तुम्हारा। होत मोह मम हृदयँ अपारा।। महिमा अमित बेद नहिं जाना। मैं केहि भाँति कहउँ भगवाना।। उपरोहित्य कर्म अति मंदा। बेद पुरान सुमृति कर निंदा।। जब न लेउँ मैं तब बिधि मोही। कहा लाभ आगें सुत तोही।। परमातमा ब्रह्म नर रूपा। होइहि रघुकुल भूषन भूपा।।
Once sage Vashishtha came to where Rama, the beautiful abode of happiness, resided. Raghunayak showed him the deepest reverence, washing his feet and receiving the sacred water. With folded hands the sage said, 'Listen, O Rama, O ocean of mercy. I have a humble request.' 'Watching Your conduct again and again, boundless wonder arises in my heart.' 'Your limitless glory is unknown even to the Vedas. How then can I describe it, O Lord?' 'The duty of family priest is considered very lowly, condemned in the Vedas, Puranas, and Smritis.' 'When I hesitated, Brahma told me: What greater reward could lie before you, my son?' 'The Supreme Soul, Brahman in human form, will appear as the jewel-king of Raghu's line.'