The Serpent of Doubt Releases Garuda beneath Bhushundi's Saving Words
Uttara Kanda, Chaupai 91
Doha 94 · Movement 1 of 2
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Garuda hears Bhushundi's beautiful words and opens his wings in joy. Tears fill his eyes as Raghupati's glory enters the heart. Remembering the former delusion, he grieves that he mistook beginningless Brahman for a merely human being.
Again and again the king of birds places his head at the crow's feet. No one crosses the ocean of becoming without a Guru, even if endowed like Brahma or Shiva. Garuda now understands the form his danger took.
The serpent of doubt had seized him, and waves of painful false reasoning followed its bite. Bhushundi's teaching became the Garudi antidote given by Raghunayaka, restoring life to the afflicted servant. Through the crow's grace, delusion has ended and Rama's incomparable mystery has become known. The enemy of serpents discovers that he too required release from a serpent no beak or wing could conquer.
Garuda, destroyer of serpents, bows to the crow whose words drew the hidden venom of doubt from his heart.
Read the passage from the Manas
सुनि भुसुंडि के बचन सुहाए। हरषित खगपति पंख फुलाए।। नयन नीर मन अति हरषाना। श्रीरघुपति प्रताप उर आना।। पाछिल मोह समुझि पछिताना। ब्रह्म अनादि मनुज करि माना।। पुनि पुनि काग चरन सिरु नावा। जानि राम सम प्रेम बढ़ावा।। गुर बिनु भव निधि तरइ न कोई। जौं बिरंचि संकर सम होई।। संसय सर्प ग्रसेउ मोहि ताता। दुखद लहरि कुतर्क बहु ब्राता।। तव सरूप गारुड़ि रघुनायक। मोहि जिआयउ जन सुखदायक।। तव प्रसाद मम मोह नसाना। राम रहस्य अनूपम जाना।।
Hearing Bhushundi's beautiful words, Khagapati became delighted and spread his wings in joy. Tears of happiness filled his eyes and his heart overflowed, as the glory of Shri Raghupati entered his being. Reflecting on his past delusion, he felt deep remorse for having taken the eternal Brahman to be merely human. Again and again he bowed his head at the crow's feet, knowing him to be filled with love equal to Rama's own. Without a guru, none can cross the ocean of existence, even if one were equal to Brahma or Shankara. The serpent of doubt had seized me, dear one, bringing painful waves of many false arguments. Your form became the Garudi mantra of Raghunayak for me, giving this servant new life and joy. By your prasaad my delusion has been destroyed, and I have come to know the incomparable mystery of Rama.