Shiva Preserves the Curse but Threads Grace through a Thousand Births
Uttara Kanda, Chaupai 104
Doha 110 · Movement 1 of 2
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The Guru asks only for Bhushundi's highest welfare. Shiva receives the selfless prayer and promises special mercy, though the curse itself will not become false. A thousand births must unfold, but birth and death will not inflict their ordinary pain.
Knowledge will remain through every form. Because Bhushundi was born in Raghupati's city and turned toward Shiva there, Ayodhya's power and Shiva's grace will eventually awaken Rama-bhakti in his heart. The long consequence is given an unbroken lamp.
Shiva commands service to the learned and reverence for saints, warning that contempt for spiritual benefactors burns more fiercely than thunderbolt, trident, Time's rod, or Vishnu's discus. Then further blessing descends: nothing worthy will remain inaccessible, and Bhushundi's movement through worlds and bodies will be unobstructed. Justice determines the road; compassion ensures that the traveler will not lose the knowledge needed to reach its end.
The curse opens across a thousand births, but Shiva places undying knowledge and the seed of Rama-bhakti inside every one.
Read the passage from the Manas
एहि कर होइ परम कल्याना। सोइ करहु अब कृपानिधाना।। बिप्रगिरा सुनि परहित सानी। एवमस्तु इति भइ नभबानी।। जदपि कीन्ह एहिं दारुन पापा। मैं पुनि दीन्ह कोप करि सापा।। तदपि तुम्हार साधुता देखी। करिहउँ एहि पर कृपा बिसेषी।। छमासील जे पर उपकारी। ते द्विज मोहि प्रिय जथा खरारी।। मोर श्राप द्विज ब्यर्थ न जाइहि। जन्म सहस अवस्य यह पाइहि।। जनमत मरत दुसह दुख होई। अहि स्वल्पउ नहिं ब्यापिहि सोई।। कवनेउँ जन्म मिटिहि नहिं ग्याना। सुनहि सूद्र मम बचन प्रवाना।। रघुपति पुरीं जन्म तब भयऊ। पुनि तैं मम सेवाँ मन दयऊ।। पुरी प्रभाव अनुग्रह मोरें। राम भगति उपजिहि उर तोरें।। सुनु मम बचन सत्य अब भाई। हरितोषन ब्रत द्विज सेवकाई।। अब जनि करहि बिप्र अपमाना। जानेहु संत अनंत समाना।। इंद्र कुलिस मम सूल बिसाला। कालदंड हरि चक्र कराला।। जो इन्ह कर मारा नहिं मरई। बिप्रद्रोह पावक सो जरई।। अस बिबेक राखेहु मन माहीं। तुम्ह कहँ जग दुर्लभ कछु नाहीं।। औरउ एक आसिषा मोरी। अप्रतिहत गति होइहि तोरी।।
Do that which will bring supreme welfare to this one. O treasure of compassion, please do this now. Hearing the brahmin's words filled with selfless benevolence, a celestial voice said 'Evam astu' (So be it). Though he has committed this terrible sin, and I too have given him a curse in anger, yet seeing your saintliness, I shall show special mercy upon him. Those brahmins who are forgiving and devoted to others' welfare are as dear to me as Rama Himself. My curse, O brahmin, will not go in vain. He will certainly pass through a thousand births. In birth and death he will suffer greatly, yet even the slightest harm will not truly touch him. In no birth will his knowledge be lost. Listen, O lowborn one, to my authoritative words. When you are born in Raghupati's city, you will dedicate your mind to my service. By the power of that city and my grace, devotion to Rama will arise in your heart. Hear my true words now, brother: serving brahmins and keeping vows please Hari. Do not dishonor brahmins any longer. Know that saints are equal to the Infinite Lord. Indra's thunderbolt, my great trident, Death's rod, and Hari's terrible discus: one who is not slain by these weapons burns in the fire of opposing brahmins. Keep this wisdom in your mind; nothing in the world shall be difficult for you. And here is another blessing of mine: your movement shall be unobstructed everywhere.