Bhushundi Returns through Every Age to Watch the Child Rama Play
Uttara Kanda, Chaupai 73
Doha 76क · Movement 1 of 2
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Bhushundi begins his own astonishing history. Whenever Rama assumes a human body and performs lila for devotees, the crow travels to Ayodhya. He arrives for the great celebration of the Lord's birth and remains for five years, unable to leave the radiance of childhood.
His chosen deity is Bala Rama. The child's beauty surpasses a hundred million gods of love. Bhushundi gazes again and again upon the small face until sight itself reaches fulfillment, as though every previous use of the eyes had only prepared them for this seeing.
Taking the body of a little crow, he keeps close to Hari and watches the many-colored games unfold through palace and courtyard. The ancient sage who has crossed kalpas asks for no distant throne and no overwhelming revelation. His treasure is nearness to small feet, babbling speech, and the ordinary movements through which the unborn Lord allows devotion to love him as a child.
Across the ending and beginning of ages, one small crow returns to Ayodhya for the five years when Infinity plays as a child.
Read the passage from the Manas
राम कृपा आपनि जड़ताई। कहउँ खगेस सुनहु मन लाई।। जब जब राम मनुज तनु धरहीं। भक्त हेतु लीला बहु करहीं।। तब तब अवधपुरी मैं ज़ाऊँ। बालचरित बिलोकि हरषाऊँ।। जन्म महोत्सव देखउँ जाई। बरष पाँच तहँ रहउँ लोभाई।। इष्टदेव मम बालक रामा। सोभा बपुष कोटि सत कामा।। निज प्रभु बदन निहारि निहारी। लोचन सुफल करउँ उरगारी।। लघु बायस बपु धरि हरि संगा। देखउँ बालचरित बहुरंगा।।
By Rama's kripa, despite my own jadatai (dullness), I shall speak, O Khagesha. Listen with attention. Whenever Rama takes a human body, He performs many a leela for the sake of His bhaktas. At those times I go to Avadhapuri and rejoice beholding His childhood pastimes. I go to witness His janma-mahotsava (birth celebration) and remain there for five years, enchanted by the sight. My Ishta Deva is the child Rama, whose bodily beauty surpasses a hundred million Kamas. Gazing again and again upon my Prabhu's face, O Uragari, I make my eyes bear their true fruit. Taking the small form of a crow, I stay near Hari and behold His many-colored childhood pastimes.