Narada Tells Garuda That Rama's Maya Has Made Even Him Dance
Uttara Kanda, Chaupai 57
Doha 59 · Movement 1 of 2
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Garuda argues with his own mind in many ways, but knowledge does not dawn. Each answer gives birth to another question until thought becomes a circling flock and doubt covers the heart. Distressed and exhausted by reasoning, he goes to Narada and lays the hidden crisis before him.
Compassion enters the sage's face. Narada does not shame the king of birds for confusion. He names the power involved: Rama's mighty maya steals the composure of the learned and overwhelms even great minds. It has made Narada himself dance many times, and now it has spread its bewildering radiance around Garuda.
This delusion will not disappear quickly through Narada's words alone. He sends Garuda onward to Brahma, asking him to follow the Creator's direction. The guidance is itself humbling. Garuda has flown close to Vishnu and carries him through the heavens, yet understanding will require a pilgrimage from teacher to teacher, each encounter loosening the pride that nearness must already mean comprehension.
Narada answers Garuda's shame with compassion and sends his circling questions toward the lotus-seat of Brahma.
Read the passage from the Manas
नाना भाँति मनहि समुझावा। प्रगट न ग्यान हृदयँ भ्रम छावा।। खेद खिन्न मन तर्क बढ़ाई। भयउ मोहबस तुम्हरिहिं नाई।। ब्याकुल गयउ देवरिषि पाहीं। कहेसि जो संसय निज मन माहीं।। सुनि नारदहि लागि अति दाया। सुनु खग प्रबल राम कै माया।। जो ग्यानिन्ह कर चित अपहरई। बरिआई बिमोह मन करई।। जेहिं बहु बार नचावा मोही। सोइ ब्यापी बिहंगपति तोही।। महामोह उपजा उर तोरें। मिटिहि न बेगि कहें खग मोरें।। चतुरानन पहिं जाहु खगेसा। सोइ करेहु जेहि होइ निदेसा।।
He tried to convince his mind in various ways, but true knowledge did not dawn, for doubt clouded his heart. Distressed and troubled, his mind multiplied its arguments. He became overcome by delusion, just like you, O Garuda. Deeply agitated, he went to the divine sage Narada and told him the doubt dwelling in his mind. Hearing this, great compassion arose in Narada. He said, 'Listen, O bird, to the mighty Maya of Rama.' 'That Maya which steals the awareness of even the wise and overpowers the minds of the great with delusion.' 'The same Maya that has made me dance many times has now overtaken you, O king of birds.' 'Great delusion has arisen in your heart. It will not be easily dispelled, so heed my words, O bird.' 'Go to Brahma, O lord of birds, and do whatever he instructs you to do.'