Rama Laughs the Crow out of His Mouth and Begins the Game Again
Uttara Kanda, Doha 83
Doha 83 · Movement 2 of 2
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Compassionate Raghubira sees Bhushundi overwhelmed. The child smiles, laughter opens again, and the crow emerges from Rama's mouth into the familiar light of the courtyard.
Nothing outward appears to have changed. Rama resumes the same childhood game, approaching, retreating, laughing, and inviting the little bird to follow. The universes have closed behind ordinary play as naturally as a smile closes after laughter.
Bhushundi tries to settle the mind in a million ways, but rest does not come. How can the hand that followed him beyond creation now reach as though it belonged only to a child? How can ages within countless worlds disappear into a courtyard moment? The Lord offers no verbal explanation yet. He lets the lila continue until the mind exhausts its effort to make infinity fit the shape of an idea.
The cosmic gates close, the courtyard game resumes, and Bhushundi discovers that explanation cannot catch the child who caught him.
Read the passage from the Manas
देखि कृपाल बिकल मोहि बिहँसे तब रघुबीर। बिहँसतहीं मुख बाहेर आयउँ सुनु मतिधीर।।82(क)।। सोइ लरिकाई मो सन करन लगे पुनि राम। कोटि भाँति समुझावउँ मनु न लहइ बिश्राम।।82(ख)।।
Seeing me distressed, the compassionate Raghuvira smiled, and as He laughed, O Matidhira (wise one), I emerged from His mouth. That same childish play Rama began with me again. Though I tried to understand in countless ways, my mind found no rest.