The Vedas Enter the Court Disguised as Bards
Uttara Kanda, Doha 13
Doha 13 · Movement 3 of 3
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Shiva tells the King of Birds that the splendor, assembly, and happiness of the coronation cannot be spoken. Sarada, Shesha, and the revealed scriptures may describe it, but only Mahesh knows its inward nectar.
The gods offer their different hymns and depart toward their own abodes. Then unfamiliar court bards approach the place where Sri Rama sits. No one in the shining assembly perceives who has entered beneath those humble forms.
Rama knows. The all-knowing treasury of compassion receives the visitors with exceptional honor. The disguised singers are the Vedas themselves, become persons so that sacred knowledge may stand before its source and sing. Crowned majesty listens while eternal revelation takes the role of a wandering praise singer. The secret remains hidden from the court, but recognition passes between the Lord and the voices that have sought to name him through every age.
The Vedas conceal their glory in a bard's clothing, but Rama recognizes every sacred voice that has come home to praise him.
Read the passage from the Manas
वह सोभा समाज सुख कहत न बनइ खगेस। बरनहिं सारद सेष श्रुति सो रस जान महेस।।12(क)।। भिन्न भिन्न अस्तुति करि गए सुर निज निज धाम। बंदी बेष बेद तब आए जहँ श्रीराम।। 12(ख)।। प्रभु सर्बग्य कीन्ह अति आदर कृपानिधान। लखेउ न काहूँ मरम कछु लगे करन गुन गान।।12(ग)।।
That splendor, that assembly, that bliss, O King of Birds, my words cannot capture. Sarada, Shesha, and the Vedas describe it ceaselessly, yet only Mahesh truly knows its nectar. 12(ka) Each god offered distinct praise, then departed to his own abode. Then the Vedas, in the guise of bards, came where Sri Rama was seated. 12(kha) The all-knowing Lord, that treasury of grace, received them with great honor. No one perceived the secret. The Vedas began to sing his glory. 12(ga)