Rama Places His Lotus Hand upon the Fallen Crow and Ends the Vision
Uttara Kanda, Chaupai 81
Doha 84 · Movement 1 of 2
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Trying to comprehend the charitra and majesty before him, Bhushundi forgets the condition of his own body. He falls upon the earth, speechless, and only a cry escapes: Save me, protector of the distressed.
Rama sees the servant overcome by love and restrains the manifestation of maya and divine power. The cosmic immensity recedes. A lotus-soft hand descends upon the crow's head, and the compassionate Lord removes sorrow and bewilderment.
Now Bhushundi remembers both majesty and tenderness. Joy rises when he considers the limitless power he has witnessed, but a still greater love arises when he sees how the Lord protects a devotee from that very overwhelming splendor. With wet eyes and joined hands, he offers many humble prayers. The hand upon his head reveals the final meaning of the universes: the one who contains them all bends gently to console a small fallen bird.
The vision of millions of worlds ends in one lotus hand resting with immeasurable tenderness upon a crow's head.
Read the passage from the Manas
देखि चरित यह सो प्रभुताई। समुझत देह दसा बिसराई।। धरनि परेउँ मुख आव न बाता। त्राहि त्राहि आरत जन त्राता।। प्रेमाकुल प्रभु मोहि बिलोकी। निज माया प्रभुता तब रोकी।। कर सरोज प्रभु मम सिर धरेऊ। दीनदयाल सकल दुख हरेऊ।। कीन्ह राम मोहि बिगत बिमोहा। सेवक सुखद कृपा संदोहा।। प्रभुता प्रथम बिचारि बिचारी। मन महँ होइ हरष अति भारी।। भगत बछलता प्रभु कै देखी। उपजी मम उर प्रीति बिसेषी।। सजल नयन पुलकित कर जोरी। कीन्हिउँ बहु बिधि बिनय बहोरी।।
Seeing this charitra (divine play) and the Lord's prabhutai (supreme power), I forgot my bodily state while trying to comprehend it. I fell to the ground, unable to speak. 'Trahi, trahi! (Save me, save me!) O protector of the distressed!' The Lord, filled with prema (love), looked upon me and then restrained His own Maya and divine power. The Lord placed His lotus hand upon my head, and the Dinadayal (compassionate to the humble) removed all my sorrows. Rama freed me from all vimoh (bewilderment), showering the kripa (grace) that brings joy to His servants. Reflecting deeply on the Lord's supreme power, great harsha (joy) arose within my heart. Seeing the Lord's tender bhakta-vatsalata (love for His devotees), extraordinary priti (love) arose in my heart. With tearful eyes and hands joined in reverence, I offered vinaya (humble prayers) in many ways.