On Meru beneath a Banyan, Bhushundi Asks Lomasa for the Worship of Saguna Brahman
Uttara Kanda, Doha 111
Doha 111 · Movement 2 of 2
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Remembering the first Guru's words, Bhushundi fixes the mind upon Rama's feet and wanders while Raghupati's glory makes love new at every moment.
Upon the summit of Meru, sage Lomasa sits beneath the shade of a banyan. Bhushundi approaches, bows at his feet, and speaks with deep humility. The compassionate sage asks what purpose has brought the brahmin so far.
You are all-knowing, Bhushundi answers. Teach me the worship of Supreme Brahman in personal form. The request is precise because the longing is precise. He does not seek a general account of truth, but the way by which truth may be loved, contemplated, and seen as Rama. Mountain summit and banyan shade prepare another decisive meeting between nondual wisdom and the devotion that refuses to lose the Lord's face.
At the roof of the world, Bhushundi bows beneath a banyan and asks not merely to know Brahman, but to worship him as Rama.
Read the passage from the Manas
गुर के बचन सुरति करि राम चरन मनु लाग। रघुपति जस गावत फिरउँ छन छन नव अनुराग।।110(क)।। मेरु सिखर बट छायाँ मुनि लोमस आसीन। देखि चरन सिरु नायउँ बचन कहेउँ अति दीन।।110(ख)।। सुनि मम बचन बिनीत मृदु मुनि कृपाल खगराज। मोहि सादर पूँछत भए द्विज आयहु केहि काज।।110(ग)।। तब मैं कहा कृपानिधि तुम्ह सर्बग्य सुजान। सगुन ब्रह्म अवराधन मोहि कहहु भगवान।।110(घ)।।
Remembering my guru's words, I fixed my mind on Rama's feet and wandered singing Raghupati's glory with ever-fresh love. On Meru's peak, in the shade of a banyan tree, sat the sage Lomasa. Seeing him, I bowed my head at his feet and spoke most humbly. Hearing my gentle, humble words, the compassionate sage, O king of birds, respectfully asked me: 'O brahmin, for what purpose have you come?' I replied: 'O treasure of mercy, you are all-knowing and wise. Tell me, O Lord, about the worship of the Supreme Brahman in His personal form.'