Bhushundi Completes the Whole Story and Garuda Rises to Speak
Uttara Kanda, Chaupai 66
Doha 69 · Movement 1 of 2
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Bhushundi describes the many deaths of the rakshasa hosts and the final combat between Raghupati and Ravana. Ravana falls, Mandodari grieves, and Vibhishana is crowned while joy returns to the devas. Sita and Rama are reunited, and celestial praise rises from folded hands.
The compassionate Lord boards Pushpaka with the vanaras and travels home. Ayodhya receives him, the sacred deeds of return are sung, and Rama's abhisheka restores the city to fullness. Bhushundi speaks of royal dharma and the many virtues through which the kingdom shines.
The crow has now narrated the entire Rama-katha that Shiva is recounting to Bhavani. Story rests inside story: Bhushundi before Garuda, Shiva before Uma, and Tulsidas before the listening world. When the final movement settles beneath the banyan, Garuda's heart is overflowing. Having heard the whole life of Rama rather than an isolated battlefield moment, the king of birds prepares to speak from a vision made whole.
As Bhushundi completes Rama's return and coronation, Garuda's single troubling image takes its place within the radiance of the whole.
Read the passage from the Manas
निसिचर निकर मरन बिधि नाना। रघुपति रावन समर बखाना।। रावन बध मंदोदरि सोका। राज बिभीषण देव असोका।। सीता रघुपति मिलन बहोरी। सुरन्ह कीन्ह अस्तुति कर जोरी।। पुनि पुष्पक चढ़ि कपिन्ह समेता। अवध चले प्रभु कृपा निकेता।। जेहि बिधि राम नगर निज आए। बायस बिसद चरित सब गाए।। कहेसि बहोरि राम अभिषैका। पुर बरनत नृपनीति अनेका।। कथा समस्त भुसुंड बखानी। जो मैं तुम्ह सन कही भवानी।। सुनि सब राम कथा खगनाहा। कहत बचन मन परम उछाहा।।
The crow described the various ways the rakshasas were slain and narrated the great battle between Raghupati and Ravana. He told of Ravana's death, Mandodari's grief, and how Vibhishana was crowned king, bringing joy to the devas. Sita was reunited with Raghupati, and the devas praised Them with folded hands. Then the Lord, abode of compassion, boarded the Pushpaka vimana with the vanaras and departed for Ayodhya. The crow Bhushundi sang in detail all the sacred deeds of how Rama returned to His own city. He then described Rama's abhisheka and praised the city, telling of countless royal virtues. Bhushundi narrated the entire story, the same that I have told you, O Bhavani. Hearing all of Rama's story, the king of birds spoke with supreme joy in his heart.