Garuda's Doubt Has Vanished, Yet He Asks Why Chidananda Appeared Distressed
Uttara Kanda, Doha 69
Doha 69 · Movement 2 of 2
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Garuda tells Bhushundi that his doubt is gone. By hearing every deed of Raghupati, love for Rama's feet has arisen through the crow-sage's grace. The anguish that drove him across the worlds has opened into devotion.
Yet one question remains worthy of being asked from this new ground. On the battlefield Garuda had seen the Lord bound and apparently distressed. Rama is Chidananda, the gathered fullness of Consciousness and Bliss. What cause could make such a one helpless?
This is no longer the earlier accusation of a mind defending its expectations. Garuda asks after surrender, with the entire story alive within him. The same image is present, but the seer has changed. Questioning now becomes reverent inquiry into lila rather than doubt about Rama's reality. Beneath the banyan, Bhushundi receives the paradox at the precise depth to which long Hari-katha has carried his listener.
The battlefield question returns, but now it kneels before Rama instead of placing Rama before its judgment.
Read the passage from the Manas
गयउ मोर संदेह सुनेउँ सकल रघुपति चरित। भयउ राम पद नेह तव प्रसाद बायस तिलक।।68(क)।। मोहि भयउ अति मोह प्रभु बंधन रन महुँ निरखि। चिदानंद संदोह राम बिकल कारन कवन। 68(ख)।।
Garuda said: My doubt has vanished, having heard the entire story of Raghupati. Love for Rama's feet has arisen, by your grace, O foremost among crows. Great delusion had overcome me, O Lord, seeing the all-knowing Prabhu bound in battle. Rama, who is pure chidananda, the mass of Consciousness-Bliss, what could cause Him to be distressed?