Garuda Blesses the Delusion That Led Him into Bhushundi's Shade
Uttara Kanda, Chaupai 67
Doha 70 · Movement 1 of 2
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Garuda remembers how human Rama's conduct appeared and how heavily doubt entered his heart. Now he calls that very confusion beneficial. The treasury of compassion used it as a hidden form of grace, turning bewilderment into the road toward Bhushundi.
Only one scorched by fierce sunlight truly knows the joy of a tree's shade. Garuda looks up through the banyan leaves and recognizes the image around him. Without the heat of delusion, how would he have met this teacher? How would he have heard Hari's beautiful and astonishing story sung in so many ways?
Vedas, Agamas, Puranas, siddhas, and sages proclaim that pure saints are found by those upon whom Rama casts a gracious glance. By that grace Garuda received Bhushundi's darshan; through Bhushundi's gift every doubt departed. The painful journey is not denied. It is understood from its fruit, like a burning road that becomes precious because it carried the traveler into saving shade.
Garuda looks upon the banyan and blesses even the heat that made its shade known.
Read the passage from the Manas
देखि चरित अति नर अनुसारी। भयउ हृदयँ मम संसय भारी।। सोइ भ्रम अब हित करि मैं माना। कीन्ह अनुग्रह कृपानिधाना।। जो अति आतप ब्याकुल होई। तरु छाया सुख जानइ सोई।। जौं नहिं होत मोह अति मोही। मिलतेउँ तात कवन बिधि तोही।। सुनतेउँ किमि हरि कथा सुहाई। अति बिचित्र बहु बिधि तुम्ह गाई।। निगमागम पुरान मत एहा। कहहिं सिद्ध मुनि नहिं संदेहा।। संत बिसुद्ध मिलहिं परि तेही। चितवहिं राम कृपा करि जेही।। राम कृपाँ तव दरसन भयऊ। तव प्रसाद सब संसय गयऊ।।
Seeing the Lord's conduct so human-like, great doubt arose in my heart. That very delusion I now consider a blessing, for You have shown grace, O Kripaanidhana. Only one who is scorched by fierce heat truly knows the joy of a tree's shade. If I had not been overcome by deep delusion, dear one, how would I ever have met You? How would I have heard these beautiful stories of Hari that You have sung in so many wondrous ways? This is the teaching of the Vedas, Agamas, and Puranas. The Siddha sages declare this without doubt. Pure saints are encountered only by those upon whom Rama casts His gracious glance. By Rama's kripa Your darshana was obtained; by Your prasada all my doubts have vanished.