Garuda Descends beside the Lake as the Ancient Birds Gather for Rama-Katha
Uttara Kanda, Chaupai 61
Doha 64क · Movement 1 of 2
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Garuda reaches the dwelling of Bhushundi, whose understanding is unobstructed and whose devotion to Hari is unbroken. The blue mountain comes into view, and before a word is spoken his mind brightens. Maya, grief, and the many shapes of doubt begin to fall away in the atmosphere of the place.
He bathes in the lake, drinks its cool sweet water, and approaches the banyan with a joyful heart. Aged birds are arriving from every side to hear Rama's beautiful deeds. Feathers settle along the branches, wings fold, and the vast tree becomes a many-tiered hall of listening beneath the open sky.
Bhushundi is about to begin when the king of birds appears. The crow and the entire assembly rejoice. No rivalry disturbs the welcome. Bhushundi honors Garuda with great reverence, asks after him, offers a worthy seat, and performs worship with love. Then the small dark teacher faces Vishnu's mighty bearer and speaks in words made sweet by hospitality.
Garuda comes as king of birds, yet beneath Bhushundi's banyan he is welcomed into the more ancient dignity of a listener.
Read the passage from the Manas
गयउ गरुड़ जहँ बसइ भुसुंडा। मति अकुंठ हरि भगति अखंडा।। देखि सैल प्रसन्न मन भयऊ। माया मोह सोच सब गयऊ।। करि तड़ाग मज्जन जलपाना। बट तर गयउ हृदयँ हरषाना।। बृद्ध बृद्ध बिहंग तहँ आए। सुनै राम के चरित सुहाए।। कथा अरंभ करै सोइ चाहा। तेही समय गयउ खगनाहा।। आवत देखि सकल खगराजा। हरषेउ बायस सहित समाजा।। अति आदर खगपति कर कीन्हा। स्वागत पूछि सुआसन दीन्हा।। करि पूजा समेत अनुरागा। मधुर बचन तब बोलेउ कागा।।
Garuda went to where Bhushundi dwells, whose wisdom is unwavering and whose devotion to Hari is unbroken. Seeing the mountain, his mind became joyful. All illusion, attachment, and sorrow departed. After bathing in the lake and drinking its water, he went under the banyan tree with a glad heart. Many aged birds had gathered there to hear the beautiful stories of Rama. Bhushundi was about to begin the narration when at that very moment the king of birds arrived. Seeing the king of all birds approaching, the crow rejoiced along with his entire assembly. With great reverence, Bhushundi honored the king of birds. He offered welcome greetings and a fine seat. After performing worship with love, the crow then spoke in sweet words.