Famine Drives Bhushundi from Ayodhya toward the Guru He Is Not Ready to Honor
Uttara Kanda, Doha 105
Doha 105 · Movement 2 of 2
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The faults and virtues created within Hari's maya cannot be transcended without Hari-bhajan. Therefore worship Rama, Bhushundi says, and abandon the desires that keep the heart moving between the two.
His personal history resumes. He lives many years in Ayodhya during that former Kali Yuga, still proud and unable to recognize the city's grace. Then famine and hardship descend upon the land.
Need drives him away to another country. The departure appears only as misfortune to the earlier self who must leave wealth and familiar ground. Yet the road is carrying him toward Ujjain and the compassionate Shiva devotee who will become his Guru. The famine that exposes collective disorder also becomes a hidden turning in one soul's history, pushing Bhushundi toward instruction he will first resist and later remember as grace.
The empty granaries close one chapter of pride and send Bhushundi unknowingly toward the teacher whose patience will outlive his rebellion.
Read the passage from the Manas
हरि माया कृत दोष गुन बिनु हरि भजन न जाहिं। भजिअ राम तजि काम सब अस बिचारि मन माहिं।।104(क)।। तेहि कलिकाल बरष बहु बसेउँ अवध बिहगेस। परेउ दुकाल बिपति बस तब मैं गयउँ बिदेस।।104(ख)।।
The faults and virtues born of Hari's maya cannot be overcome without devotion to Him. Worship Rama, abandoning all desires; reflect on this truth within your heart. I dwelt many years in Ayodhya during that Kali age, O lord of birds. When famine and hardship struck the land, I departed for foreign shores.