Narada Sings to the Lotus-Eyed Lord beneath the Trees
Uttara Kanda, Chaupai 49
Doha 51 · Movement 1 of 2
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Narada asks the lotus-eyed Lord to look upon him with the glance that releases sorrow. Rama is dark as a blue lotus, conqueror of desire, and the bee drinking nectar within the heart's lotus.
The song hails the breaker of demon armies, delight of sages and saints, destroyer of sin, refuge of the helpless, and protector of the humble. His mighty arms lightened earth's burden and destroyed Khara, Dushana, Viradha, and Ravana.
Rama is bliss embodied, best of kings, moon of Dasharatha's lotus dynasty, and ornament of Kosala. Puranas, Vedas, Agamas, gods, sages, and saints sing his noble fame. His Name churns away Kali's impurity and destroys possessive attachment. At the close, Tulsidas enters Narada's praise as a surrendered voice: O compassionate Lord, protect the servant who bows before you.
Narada's celestial hymn ends in Tulsidas's earthly plea, and both voices meet beneath Rama's compassionate glance.
Read the passage from the Manas
मामवलोकय पंकज लोचन। कृपा बिलोकनि सोच बिमोचन।। नील तामरस स्याम काम अरि। हृदय कंज मकरंद मधुप हरि।। जातुधान बरूथ बल भंजन। मुनि सज्जन रंजन अघ गंजन।। भूसुर ससि नव बृंद बलाहक। असरन सरन दीन जन गाहक।। भुज बल बिपुल भार महि खंडित। खर दूषन बिराध बध पंडित।। रावनारि सुखरूप भूपबर। जय दसरथ कुल कुमुद सुधाकर।। सुजस पुरान बिदित निगमागम। गावत सुर मुनि संत समागम।। कारुनीक ब्यलीक मद खंडन। सब बिधि कुसल कोसला मंडन।। कलि मल मथन नाम ममताहन। तुलसीदास प्रभु पाहि प्रनत जन।।
Look upon me, O lotus-eyed Lord! Your gracious glance dispels all sorrow. O dark-hued one like a blue lotus, conqueror of Kama! O Hari, You are the bee that drinks nectar from the lotus of the heart. You shatter the mighty hosts of demons. You delight sages and saints. You destroy all sin. Like a rain-cloud over the moon-like Brahmins, You are the refuge and shelter of the helpless and humble. With Your mighty arms You lightened the great burden of the earth. You are the slayer of Khara, Dushana, and Viradha. O foe of Ravana, embodiment of bliss, best of kings! Victory to You, the moon of Dasharatha's lotus-like dynasty! Your noble fame shines in Puranas, Vedas, and Agamas, sung by gods, sages, and the assembly of saints. You are compassionate, the crusher of the pride of the wicked, skilled in every way, the ornament of Kosala. Your Name churns away the impurities of Kali Yuga and destroys attachment. O Lord, Tulsidas prays: protect this devoted servant!