Bhushundi and Garuda Bow to the Fulfillment They See in One Another
Uttara Kanda, Doha 64क
Doha 64क · Movement 2 of 2
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Bhushundi greets his guest with luminous humility. O King of Birds, he says, your darshan has fulfilled me. Give the command and I will carry it out. Tell me what purpose has brought you to this mountain.
Garuda answers in the same spirit. You are eternally fulfilled in your very nature, he tells the crow, and Lord Mahesha himself has spoken your praise with reverence from his own mouth.
For a moment the great question waits while teacher and seeker honor the sacredness in each other. Bhushundi does not use Garuda's need to enlarge himself, and Garuda does not let royal stature conceal the sage before him. Their mutual bowing clears the space in which Rama-katha can flow. True satsang begins before exposition, in the recognition that grace has already brought each one to the other.
Beneath the banyan, crow and eagle meet without height or lowliness, each seeing the other as a gift of Rama.
Read the passage from the Manas
नाथ कृतारथ भयउँ मैं तव दरसन खगराज। आयसु देहु सो करौं अब प्रभु आयहु केहि काज।।63(क)।। सदा कृतारथ रूप तुम्ह कह मृदु बचन खगेस। जेहि कै अस्तुति सादर निज मुख कीन्हि महेस।।63(ख)।।
Bhushundi said: 'O Lord, O King of Birds, I am fulfilled by your darshan. Command me, and I shall obey. For what purpose have you come, O Master?' 'You are ever fulfilled in your very nature,' replied the king of birds in gentle words. 'You, whose praise Lord Mahesha himself has spoken with reverence from his own lips.'