Friday, February 17, 2012

57th & 58th Dohas of Uttar Kand

Chaupai:

tehiÚ giri rucira basai khaga soi, tåsu nasa kapamta na hoi |

måyå krta guna dosa anekå, moha manoja adi abibeka ||1||

rahe byåpi samasta jaga måhi°, tehi giri nikata kabahu° nahii jåhi° |

taha° basi harihi bhajai jimi kågå, so sunu umå sahita anurågå ||2||

pipara taru tara dhyåna so dharai, jåpa jagya påkari tara karai |

å° ba chå° ha kara månasa pujå, taji hari bhajanu kåju nahi dujå ||3||

bara tara kaha hari kathå prasamgå, åvahi sunahi aneka bihamga |

råma carita bicitra bidhi nånå, prema sahita kara sådara gånå ||4||

sunahi sakala mati bimala marålå, basahi niramtara je tehi tålå |

jaba mai jåi so kautuka dekhå, ura upaja anamda bisesa ||5||


Shiva Tells Uma how Kakbhushundi Worships Lord Hari

The same bird (Kakabhusundi) dwells on that same splendid mountain. He is not destroyed even at the end of a kalpa (which measures the duration of the world). The phenomena of good and evil, infatuation, lust and other forms of ignorance created by Maya (the illusory power of the Supreme Spirit) which overcasts the entire universe,can never dare to even venture near that mountain. O Uma! Lovingly listen to the manner in which the crow spends his days, worshipping Lord Hari, as he resides there.


Kakbhusundi Prays to Lord Vishnu Under a Mango Tree

Under the peepul tree he meditates; he performs yagnas (sacrifices) and does japa (incantations) under the plaksha; he prays to the Lord in the mind under shade of the mango tree. He has no other work other than doing bhajan of Lord Hari. Under the banyan tree, he narrates episodes from the tale of Lord Hari. Several birds flock there to hear the story. With loving reverence he sings of the various wonderful exploits of Lord Rama (in the Manasa or holy lake of the acts of Rama). The swans having a pure mind, who forever dwell in that lake, listen to the story. When I arrived there and saw the spectacle, an exceptional joy invaded my heart.


Doha:

taba kachu kåla maråla tanu dhari taha° kinha nivåsa |

sådara suni raghupati guna puni åyau° kailåsa ||57||


Shiva Assumes the Form of a Swan

Then, acquiring the form of a swan, I dwelt there for some time. And, after reverently listening to the glories of Lord Raghunath, returned to Mount Kailash.

Chaupai:

girijå kaheu°so saba itihåså, mai jehi samaya gayau° khaga påså |

aba so kathå sunahu jehi hetu, gayau kåga pahi khaga kula ketu ||1||

jaba raghunåtha kinhi rana kriRå, samujhata carita hoti mohi briRå |

imdrajita kara åpu ba° dhåyo, taba nårada muni garuRa pathåyo ||2||

bamdhana kåti gayo uragådå, upajå hrdaya° pracamda bisådå |

prabhu bamdhana samujhata bahubhå°ti, karata bicåra uraga åråti ||3||

byåpaka brahma biraja bågiså, måyå moha påra paramiså |

so avatåra suneu° jaga måhi°, dekheu° so prabhåva kachu nåhi° ||4||


Lord Rama Battling Meghnada

Girija, I have narrated the whole episode of when I visited Kakabhusundi. Now listen to the narration as to why Garuda (the glory of the loka of birds) went to the crow. When the Lord of the Raghus doing the lila or divine play of a battle (with Meghanad, the son of Ravana),whose very thought fills me with shame, allowed Himself to be bound at the hands of Meghanada, sage Nårada sent Garuda.


Garuda Ponders over Lord Rama's Incarnation

When Garuda (the devourer of serpents) cut the bonds and departed, a terrible dejection burdened his soul. Recalling the Lord's bondage, the enemy of the serpents, pondered over the incident in many ways. I have heard that the all-pervasive, Brahma who is the impersonal Ultimate Being, the Lord of speech, who is beyond maya (the illusory world) and moha (delusion as to the suppose reality of the world) has incarnated in this material world. But I saw none of that Incarnation's divine power.


Doha:

bhava bamdhana te chutahi nara japi jå kara nåma |

kharba nisåcara bå°dheu någapåsa soi råma ||58||


Garuda Cutting the Nagapasha Binding Rama & Lakshmana

By chanting the Name of Råma, man is freed from the bonds of worldly existence. The very same Rama was tied down by a worthless demon's (Meghanada) nagapasha or serpent arrows.


Monday, February 13, 2012

55th & 56th Dohas of Uttar Kand

Chaupai:

yaha prabhu carita pavitra suhåvå, kahahu krpåla kåga kaha° pava |

tumha kehi bhå° ti sunå madanåri, kahahu mohi ati kautuka bhåri ||1||

garuRa mahågyåni guna råsi, hari sevaka ati nikata nivåsi |

tehi kehi hetu kåga sana jåi, suni kathå muni nikara bihåi ||2||

kahahu kavana bidhi bhå sambådå, dou haribhagata kåga uragådå |

gauri girå suni sarala suhåi, bole siva sådara sukha påi ||3||

dhanya sati påvana mati tori, raghupati carana priti nahi thori |

sunahu parama punita itihåså, jo suni sakala loka bhrama nåså ||4||

upajai råma carana bisvåså, bhava nidhi tara nara binahi prayåså ||5||


Garuda, Lord Hari's Mount

O merciful Lord! Tell me from where did the crow get this sacred and beautiful story? And O Destroyer of Cupid! Do let me know how You got to hear it. I am full of intense curiosity. In any case Garuda is highly enlightened, an embodiment of virtues; a servitor of Lord Hari and (being His mount) stays really close to Him. Leaving a multitude of sages, why did He go to a crow for hearing Lord Råma's story? Do let me know how the conversation proceeded between the crow and Garuda (the devourer of serpents), both of whom are bhaktas of Lord Hari.


Lord Shiva is Delighted to Hear Parvati's Words

Lord Shiva was joyous to hear the simple and charming speech of Parvati and replied respectfully. O Sati! You are truly blessed; Your wisdom is very holy. And You possess not a little (but immense) love for the feet of Lord Raghunath. Now, listen to a most sacred, historical story, which ends the delusion of the entire universe, when heard. It gives rise to faith in Lord Rama's feet and man crosses over the ocean of worldly existence without any effort.

Doha:

aisia prasna bihamgapati kinhi kåga sana jai |

so saba sådara kahihau° sunahu umå mana lai ||55||


Garuda Asks Kakbhusundi about Lord Rama

Garuda, the king of the birds, also went and asked the crow such questions. O Uma! I will tell you all that ensued with reverence, you just listen attentively.


Chaupai:

mai jimi kathå suni bhava mocani, so prasamga sunu sumukhi sulocani |

prathama daccha grha tava avatårå, sati nåma taba rahå tumhårå ||1||

daccha jagya tava bhå apamånå, tumha ati krodha taje taba prånå |

mama anucaranha kinha makha bhamgå, jånahu tumha so sakala prasamgå ||2||

taba ati soca bhayau mana more°, dukhi bhayau° biyoga priya tore° |

sumdara bana giri sarita taRågå, kautuka dekhata phirau° beraga ||3||

giri sumera uttara disi duri, nila saila eka sumdara bhuri |

tåsu kanakamaya sikhara suhåe, cåri cåru more mana bhåe ||4||

tinha para eka eka bitapa bisålå, bata pipara påkari rasålå |

sailopari sara sumdara sohå, mani sopåna dekhi mana mohå ||5||


Sati Gives up Her Life at Daksa's Yagna

Listen, O charming and bright-eyed One! In which manner I heard the story which releases one from the cycle of birth and death. You first incarnated in the house of Daksa and Sati was your name, then. You were insulted at Daksa's yagna or sacrifice. At that point of time, you were intensely furious and gave up your life. Soon after, My servitors wrecked the yagna. You already know of the entire episode.Thereafter, I felt very dejected at heart. My Dear! Your loss had left me inconsolable.


Carrying Sati, Lord Shiva Wanders in the Wilds

Detached, I wandered among beautiful forests, mountains, rivers and ponds seeing spectacles (sights). Much further than Mount Sumeru, in the far north, there is a most beautiful blue mountain (Nilagiri). It has lovely golden peaks out of which four charming peaks really attracted me. On each of them stood one huge tree, a banyan, a peepul, a plaksa (the Indian fig tree) and a mango.


A Beautiful Pond on Top of Nilagiri

On the top of the mountain, a beautiful pond was resplendent; seeing its jewelled steps, one was enchanted.

Doha:

sitala amala madhura jala jalaja bipula bahuramga |

kujata kala rava hamsa gana gumjata mamjula bhrmga ||56||



The Pond Abounds with Lotuses & Swans
Its water was cool, clear and sweet; many-hued lotuses bloomed abundantly in the pond. Flocks of swans murmured sweet notes and bees made a delightful buzzing sound.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

53rd & 54th Dohas of Uttar Kand

Chaupai:

råma carita je sunata aghåhi, rasa bisesa jånå tinha nåhi° |

jivanamukta mahåmuni jeu, hari guna sunahi niramtara teu ||1||

bhava sågara caha påra jo pava, råma kathå tå kaha° dæRha nåvå |

bisainha kaha° puni hari guna gråmå, sravana sukhada aru mana abhiråmå ||2||

sravanavamta asa ko jaga måhi°, jåhi na raghupati carita sohåhi° |

te jaRa jiva nijåtmaka ghåti, jinhahi na raghupati kathå sohåti ||3||

haricaritra månasa tumha gåvå, suni mai nåtha amiti sukha påvå |

tumha jo kahi yaha kathå suhåi, kågabhasumdi garuRa prati gåi ||4||


The Ramcharitmanas Helps us Cross the Ocean of Worldly Existence

They who are satiated on hearing the exploits of Lord Råma have not been able to relish its distinctive rasa (essence). Even those great sages who have attained freedom from the cycle of life and death in their very lifetime, constantly hear the praises of Lord Hari. For him who wishes to cross over the ocean of worldly existence, the tale of Lord Råma serves as a sturdy boat.


Kakbhusundi Recites the Tale of Lord Rama

The glories of Lord Hari are delightful to the ear and please the mind of even materialists. Is there anyone with ears in this world, whom the exploits of Lord Raghunath do not delight. Those foolish creatures whom the narrative of Lord Råma does not attract are surely killers of their soul. O Nath! While You recited the Ramcharitmanas, I listened with joyous abandon. As you told me this beautiful story was recited by Kåkbhusundi to Garuda.


Doha:

birati gyåna bigyåna drRha råma carana ati neha |

båyasa tana raghupati bhagati mohi parama samdeha ||53||


Kakbhusundi Worships the Lotus Feet of Lord Rama

Even on acquiring the form of a crow, Kakbhusundi is steadfast in asceticism, spiritual knowledge and realisation. I doubt if one having the form of a crow can have such great love for the feet of Lord Rama and also attain such religious devotion of Lord Raghunath.


Chaupai:

nara sahasra maha° sunahu puråri, kou eka hoi dharma bratadhåri |

dharmasila kotika koi, bisaya bimukha biråga rata hoi ||1||

koti birakta madhya sruti kahai, samyaka gyåna sakrta kou lahai |

gyånavamta kotika maha° kou, jivanamukta sakrta jaga sou ||2||

tinha sahasra mahu° saba sukha khåni, durlabha brahmalina bigyåni |

dharmasila birakta aru gyåni, jivanamukta brahmapara pråni ||3||

saba te so durlabha suraråyå, råma bhagati rata gata mada måyå |

so haribhagati kåga kimi påi, bisvanåtha mohi kahahu bujhåi ||4||


Lord Shiva as Tripurari

Listen O Tripurari! (Slayer of demon Tripura) There is hardly one amongst thousands of men who adopts the vow of piety. Among crores of devout souls there may be one who is averse to sensual pleasures and delights in renunciation. The Vedas say that amongst crores of renunciants, hardly one succeeds in acquiring gyana (understanding of the identity of the soul with the ultimate brahman.)And amongst crores of enlightened souls there is barely one who is like this (supremely blessed even when alive).


Lord Rama is a Manifestation of the Absolute

Among a thousand of such souls, he who has not only realised his oneness with the ultimate Brahman but is also merged with the Absolute, the fountain of joy, is rarely to be found. Even amongst them, O Mahadeva! That being is extremely rare who detached from intoxication and maya (illusory world) is engrossed in the bhakti of Lord Rama. O Vishwanath, kindly explain! How could such religious devotion to Lord Hari be possibly attained by a crow.


Doha:

råma paråyana gyåna rata gunågåra mati dhira |

nåtha kahahu kehi kårana påyau kåka sarira ||54||



Kakbhusundi Steeped in Spiritual Wisdom

O Nath! Tell me how did Kakbhusundi devoted to Lord Rama, steeped in spiritual wisdom and a repository of virtues with a resolute mind, acquire the form of a crow?