Bhushundi Says Rama Sent Garuda's Delusion Only to Honor a Crow
Uttara Kanda, Chaupai 68
Doha 71 · Movement 1 of 2
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Bhushundi speaks with deep affection for the lord of the sky. In every way, he says, Garuda is worthy of reverence and a vessel of Raghunayaka's grace. You are not truly held by doubt or maya. You have shown compassion to me by coming here.
Raghupati sent you under the appearance of delusion so that honor might fall upon a crow. Garuda's confession causes Bhushundi no surprise. Narada, Shiva, Brahma, the Sanaka sages, and great knowers of the Self have all known maya's touch.
Who has not been blinded by delusion or made to dance by desire? Whom has craving not driven restless, and whose heart has anger never burned? Bhushundi's questions pass through the assembly like strokes of a bell. The teaching does not diminish Garuda. It removes the loneliness and shame of his experience, then reveals the divine courtesy hidden within it: Rama has used the king of birds' journey to bring glory to an obscure devotee.
What Garuda called his fall, Bhushundi receives as Rama's gracious way of placing the crown of honor upon a crow.
Read the passage from the Manas
बोलेउ काकभसुंड बहोरी। नभग नाथ पर प्रीति न थोरी।। सब बिधि नाथ पूज्य तुम्ह मेरे। कृपापात्र रघुनायक केरे।। तुम्हहि न संसय मोह न माया। मो पर नाथ कीन्ह तुम्ह दाया।। पठइ मोह मिस खगपति तोही। रघुपति दीन्हि बड़ाई मोही।। तुम्ह निज मोह कही खग साईं। सो नहिं कछु आचरज गोसाईं।। नारद भव बिरंचि सनकादी। जे मुनिनायक आतमबादी।। मोह न अंध कीन्ह केहि केही। को जग काम नचाव न जेही।। तृस्नाँ केहि न कीन्ह बौराहा। केहि कर हृदय क्रोध नहिं दाहा।।
Kakbhushundi spoke again, his love for the lord of the sky being no small thing. 'In every way you are worthy of my reverence, O Nath, for you are a vessel of Raghunayaka's kripa. You are free from doubt, delusion, and maya. It is you, O Nath, who have shown compassion upon me. Raghupati sent you to me under the guise of moha, thereby bestowing great honor upon me. You have spoken of your own delusion, O Khagapati, but there is nothing surprising in that, O Gosain. Narada, Shiva, Brahma, the Sanakadika sages, all those great munis who are knowers of the Atman, whom has moha not blinded? Who in this world has kama not made to dance? Whom has trishna not driven to madness? Whose heart has krodha not set ablaze?'