Born in Ayodhya, Bhushundi Worships Shiva but Scorns Every Other Deity
Uttara Kanda, Chaupai 95
Doha 98 · Movement 1 of 2
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In that Kali Yuga, Bhushundi is born in Ayodhya in a lowly social body. He serves Shiva through mind, action, and speech, yet devotion has hardened into sectarian pride. He insults other deities and mistakes hostility for fidelity.
Wealth intoxicates him. He speaks excessively, trusts a fierce intelligence, and carries great hypocrisy within. Though he lives in Raghupati's own capital, he knows nothing of its glory. Nearness of place has not become nearness of heart.
Only later does Bhushundi understand what Vedas, Agamas, and Puranas proclaim: whoever dwells in Ayodhya across any birth is eventually turned toward Rama. The city's power becomes known when bow-bearing Rama begins to dwell within the heart. In that former age, however, sin dominates men and women, and the young Shiva worshipper walks through the sacred city blind to the grace beneath his feet.
He lives inside Ayodhya yet cannot see it, for pride has built a farther exile than any forest road.
Read the passage from the Manas
तेहि कलिजुग कोसलपुर जाई। जन्मत भयउँ सूद्र तनु पाई।। सिव सेवक मन क्रम अरु बानी। आन देव निंदक अभिमानी।। धन मद मत्त परम बाचाला। उग्रबुद्धि उर दंभ बिसाला।। जदपि रहेउँ रघुपति रजधानी। तदपि न कछु महिमा तब जानी।। अब जाना मैं अवध प्रभावा। निगमागम पुरान अस गावा।। कवनेहुँ जन्म अवध बस जोई। राम परायन सो परि होई।। अवध प्रभाव जान तब प्रानी। जब उर बसहिं रामु धनुपानी।। सो कलिकाल कठिन उरगारी। पाप परायन सब नर नारी।।
In that Kali Yuga I was born in Kosalpura (Ayodhya), obtaining a lowly body. I was a devotee of Shiva in mind, deed, and speech, yet proud and contemptuous of other deities. Intoxicated with the pride of wealth, extremely talkative, with fierce intellect and vast hypocrisy in my heart. Though I lived in the capital of Raghupati, I knew nothing of its glory. Now I know the magnificence of Ayodhya, as the Vedas, Agamas, and Puranas declare. Whoever dwells in Ayodhya, in any birth, becomes devoted to Rama. A being truly knows Ayodhya's glory only when Rama, the bearer of the bow, dwells in the heart. That Kali age was harsh, O enemy of serpents; all men and women were devoted to sin.