97th & 98th Dohas of Uttar Kand

Chaupai:

tehi kalijuga kosalapura jai, janmata bhayau° sudra tanu påi |

siva sevaka mana krama aru båni, åna deva nimdaka abhimåni ||1||

dhana mada matta parama båcålå, ugrabuddhi ura dambha bisålå |

jadapi raheu° raghupati rajadhåni, tadapi na kachu mahimå taba jåni ||2||

aba jånå mai avadha prabhåvå, nigamågama puråna asa gåvå |

kavanehu° janma avadha basa joi, råma paråyana so pari hoi ||3||

avadha prabhåva jåna taba pråni, jaba ura basahi råmu dhanupåni |

so kalikåla kathina uragåri, påpa paråyana saba nara nåri ||4||

Kakbhushundi was Born as a Sudra in His Previous Birth

In that Kaliyuga I got the body of a Sudra (the labouring artisan class) and was born in the city of Ayodhya.

AS a Sudra, Kakbhushundi was a Great Devotee of Lord Shiva

A servitor of Lord Shiva in thought, word and deed, I was conceited and scorned other gods. Intoxicated with the pride of wealth, I was most talkative, was very wrathful and carried loads of hypocrisy in my heart. Even though I lived in the capital of Lord Raghuvir, I failed to know even a bit of its grandeur then. Now I have come to know the great impact of Ayodhya.

The Glory of Lord Rama & Ayodhya

It has been sung by the Vedas, Tantras and Puranas that whoever resides in Ayodhyå in whichever birth certainly becomes engrossed in Lord Råma. A man comes to know of the glory of Ayodhya only when Lord Råma, bow in hand, forever dwells in his heart. O Garuda! That particular age of Kali was very terrible. All the men and women were steeped in sin.

Doha:

kalimala grase dharma saba lupta bhae sadagramtha |

dambhinha nija mati kalpi kari pragata kie bahu pamtha ||97(A)||

bhae loga saba mohabasa lobha grase subha karma |

sunu harijåna gyåna nidhi kahau° kachuka kalidharma ||97(B)||

The Sins of Kaliyuga

All religions were devoured by the sins of Kali; holy scriptures disappeared; impostors revealed a number of courses which they had imaginatively invented out of their own intelligence. All the people fell prey to delusion and pious acts were swallowed by greed. O mount of Lord Hari! Listen, now I am going to state a few characteristics of Kali.

Chaupai:

barana dharma nahi åsrama cåri, sruti birodha rata saba nara nåri |

dvija sruti becaka bhupa prajåsana, kou nahi måna nigama anusåsana ||1||

måraga soi jå kahu° joi bhåvå, pamdita soi jo gala bajava |

mithyårambha dambha rata joi, tå kahu° samta kahai saba koi ||2||

soi sayåna jo paradhana håri, jo kara dambha so baRa åcåri |

jo kaha jhu°tha masakhari jana, kalijuga soi gunavamta bakhånå ||3||

niråcåra jo sruti patha tyagi, kalijuga soi gyåni so birågi |
jåke° nakha aru jata bisala, soi tåpasa prasiddha kalikålå ||4||

The Four Ashramas or Stages of Life

In Kaliyuga no one follows the duties of his own varna or caste, and the four ashramas or stages of life also disappear. Every man and woman is busy revolting against the Vedas. Brahmanas sell the Vedas and kings fleece their subjects; no one respects the command of the Vedas. The right course for every individual is what he likes; one who brags is a learned man.

The Age of Spiritual Darkness

Whoever launches deceptive undertakings (is pretentious) and is absorbed in hypocrisy, is called a saint by everyone. Only he is wise, who robs another person of his wealth. He who is deceitful is a man of moral character. One who lies and knows how to laugh and make fun of others is called a virtuous man in Kaliyuga. He who is immoral and has abandoned the path of the Vedas, is a wise man and an ascetic in the age of Kali. One who has big nails and long matted hair is considered a renowned ascetic in Kaliyuga (the age of spiritual darkness).

Doha:

asubha besa bhusana dhare° bhacchåbhaccha je khåhi |

tei jogi tei siddha nara pujya te kalijuga måhi ||98(A)||

Sortha:

je apakåri cåra tinha kara gaurava månya tei |

mana krama bacana labåra tei bakatå kalikåla mahu° ||98(B)||

Liars Abound inThe Age of Kali

Only they who wear a disastrous dress and ornaments, eat everything possible(whether it is worth eating or not) are yogis ; are siddh or perfect, and worth adoring in the Kali age. They whose behaviour harms others are held in great esteem and are worthy of honour. They alone who are liars in thought, word and actions are considered great speakers in the age of Kali.

95th & 96th Dohas of Uttar Kand

Chaupai:

garuRa girå suni haraseu kågå, boleu umå parama anurågå |

dhanya dhanya tava mati uragåri, prasna tumhåri mohi ati pyåri ||1||

suni tava prasna saprema suhåi, bahuta janama kai sudhi mohi åi |

saba nija kathå kahau° maiÚ gåi, tåta sunahu sådara mana låi ||2||

japa tapa makha sama dama bratadånå, birati bibeka joga bigyånå |

saba kara phala raghupati padapremå, tehi binu kou na påvai chemå ||3||

ehi tana råma bhagati mai på, tåte mohi mamatå adhikåi |

jehi te° kachu nija svåratha hoi, tehi para mamatå kara saba koi ||4||

Shiva Narrating the Tale of Lord Rama to Uma

Umå, (Lord Shiva continues). Hearing the words of Garuda, Kakbhushundi was delighted and replied with utmost affection: O enemy of serpents! Your intellect is blessed, truly blessed! I found your questions to be very pleasing to me. Hearing your loving and beautiful question, I was reminded of my many previous births. And shall narrate my whole story at length;

Garuda, the Mount of Lord Vishnu, Listens to Kakbhushundi

Dear Garuda, listen attentively with absolute reverence.The fruition of chanting prayers, austere penance, performing sacrifices, subduing the mind and senses, fasts, charity, asceticism, correct judgement, yoga and self realization, is devotion to the feet of Lord Raghunathji.

Acquiring Love for Lord Rama

Without this no one can attain eternal peace. It was in this body that I attained devotion to Lord Rama; that is why it is so dear to me. Everyone naturally loves that through which one has achieved some personal motive.

Sortha:

pannagåri asi niti sruti sammata sajjana kahahii |

ati nicahu sana priti karia jåni nija parama hita ||95(A)||

påta kita te° hoi tehi te° påtambara rucira |

krmi pålai sabu koi parama apåvana pråna sama ||95(B)||

We Care for Silkworms Producing Silk

O Garuda! It is a renowned ethic of the Vedas and saintly persons also endorse this fact that one should love the lowest of creatures, knowing very well that it is extremely beneficial for us. Silk is produced from worms and beautiful silk textiles are made from it. For this very reason everyone cares for such an impure silkworm like their own life.

Chaupai:

svåratha såca jiva kahu° ehå, mana krama bacana råma pada nehå |

soi påvana soi subhaga sarirå, jo tanu påi bhajia raghubirå ||1||

råma bimukha lahi bidhi sama dehi, kabi kobida na prasamsahi tehi |

råma bhagati ehi tana ura jåmi, tåte mohi parama priya svåmi ||2||

tajau° na tana nija icchå maranå, tana binu beda bhajana nahi baranå |

prathama moha° mohi bahuta bigovå, råma bimukha sukha kabahu° na sovå ||3||

nånå janama karma puni nånå, kie joga japa tapa makha dånå |

kavana joni janameu° jaha° nåhi, mai khagesa bhrami bhrami jaga måhi ||4||

dekheu° kari saba karama gosåi, ° sukhi na bhayau° abahi ki nåi° |

sudhi mohi nåtha janma bahu keri, siva prasåda mati moha° na gheri ||5||

Exalted Brahma, the Creator

The actual self-interest of a living creature lies in developing love for Lord Rama's feet in thought, word and deed. Only that body is sacred and blessed, in which one is able to worship the Hero of the Raghus. The wise and learned never praise that person who is against Lord Råma, even though he has an exalted body like that of Brahmå (the Creator).

Kakbhusundi, the Crow, is Devoted to Lord Rama

Devotion to Lord Rama arose in my heart in this very body. Therefore O svami! It is supremely dear to me. Though death depends on my own wish, I refuse to leave this body. Because the Vedas state that worship of the Lord is not possible without a physical body. Earlier infatuation had given me much trouble; as long as I was indifferent to Lord Råma, I never had a sound sleep.

Earlier, Kakbhusundi had a Number of Births

In a number of births I did yoga , japa (muttering of prayers), austere penance, charity, performed sacrifices and acts of various kinds. O Garuda! Which species is there in this world in which I have not been born (over and over again) during my circle of births? O Gosain!I have experienced all kinds of deeds, but have never been so happy as in this birth. O Nath! I can remember many previous births, because my intelligence was not surrounded by infatuation, due to Lord Shiva's grace.

Doha:

prathama janma ke carita aba kahau° sunahu bihagesa |

suni prabhu pada rati upajai jåte° mitahi kalesa ||96(A)||

puruba kalpa eka prabhu juga kalijuga mala mula |

nara aru nåri adharma rata sakala nigama pratikula ||96(B)||

Kaliyuga, the Age of Spiritual Darkness

O Pakshiraja! Listen, I am now going to narrate the story of my first birth, which is sure to arouse love for the Lord's feet, which gets rid of all afflictions. O Lord! In an earlier kalpa (duration of the world), the world was passing through Kaliyuga, the age of spiritual darkness, in which men and women were steeped in wickedness and opposed the Vedas. (96 A-B)

93rd & 94th Dohas of Uttar Kand

Chaupai:

suni bhusumdi ke bacana suhåe, harasita khagapati pamkha phulåe |

nayana nira mana ati harasånå, sriraghupati pratåpa ura ånå ||1||

påchila moha samujhi pachitånå, brahma anådi manuja kari månå |

puni puni kåga carana siru nåvå, jåni råma sama prema baRhåvå ||2||

gura binu bhava nidhi tarai na koi, jau° biramci samkara sama hoi |

samsaya sarpa graseu mohi tåtå, dukhada lahari kutarka bahu bråtå ||3||

tava sarupa gåruRi raghunåyaka, mohi jiåyau jana sukhadåyaka |

tava prasåda mama moha nasånå, råma rahasya anupama jånå ||4||

Garuda is Delighted to Hear Kakbhusundi's Words

The lord of the winged creatures was delighted to hear the beautiful words of Bhushundi and puffed out his feathers. Tears (of joy) streamed his eyes and his soul burst with ecstasy as he dwelt on the glory of Lord Raghuvir. He was full of remorse on recalling his former delusion of assuming that the eternal Brahma was a mere mortal. Over and over again he bowed his head at Kakbhusundi's feet. And loved him more intensely considering him to be as good as Rama.

One Can Cross the Ocean of this Mundane World with Lord Rama

No one can possibly cross the ocean of this mundane world even though he may be equivalent to Brahma and Lord Shankar. (Garuda said) O Dear! The serpent of doubt had bitten me and I had many painful waves of stupefaction in the form of fallacies (As the effect of poison rising after snake-bite).

Kakbhusundi is Likened to a Snake-Charmer

But the Lord of the Raghus, the delight of His devotees, revived me by sending me to a snake-charmer like you (One who adminsters mantras against snake bite) By your grace my infatuation came to an end and I learnt of the unique mystery of Lord Råma.

Doha:

tåhi prasamsi bibidhi bidhi sisa nåi kara jori |

bacana binita saprema mrdu boleu garuRa bahori ||93(A)||

prabhu apane abibeka te bujhau° svåmi tohi |

krpåsimdhu sådara kahahu jåni dåsa nija mohi ||93(B)||

Garuda Asks Kakbhusundi Why he Has the form of a Crow

After praising Kakbhushundi in several ways and bowing his head before him with folded hands, Garuda spoke these gentle and lovingly tender words: O Lord! O Svami ! I ask you a question because of my ignorance. O ocean of mercy! Knowing me to be your own servitor, answer it carefully.

Chaupai:

tumha sarbagya tagya tama pårå, sumati susila sarala åcårå |

gyåna birati bigyåna nivåså, raghunåyaka ke tumha priya dåså ||1||

kårana kavana deha yaha påi, tåta sakala mohi kahahu bujhåi |
råma carita sara sumdara svåmi,°påyahu kahå° kahahu nabhagåmi ||2||

nåtha sunå mai asa siva påhi, mahå pralayahu° nåsa tava nåhi° |

mudhå bacana nahi isvara kahai, sou more° mana samsaya ahai ||3||

aga jaga jiva någa nara devå, nåtha sakala jagu kåla kalevå |

amda katåha amita layakåri, kålu sadå duratikrama bhåri ||4||

Kakbhusundi, the Knower of Essential Truth

You are omniscient and the knower of essential Truth, having reached beyond the darkness (of ignorance), endowed with supreme intelligence, amiable, simply straight in your dealings, the abode of wisdom, asceticism and knowledge (spiritual.)

Bhusundi is the Lovable Sevaka of Lord Rama

And above all, a beloved servant of Lord of the Raghus. For what reason did you acquire the form of a crow? O Dear! Clearly explain all this to me. O Svami! O flier of the skies!

The Lake of Lord Rama's Exploits

Where did you get this lovely Lake of Lord Rama's exploits, from? O Lord! I have heard this from Shiva that you do not perish even during Mahåpralaya (the Great Dissolution when Brahmå retires into the Lord's body after completing 100 years of existence). The divine Lord Shiva would never lie and that doubt also weighs on my mind. Because, O Nath ! The whole universe with its animate and inanimate beings, including Någas, human beings and gods, are devoured by Death. Kala or the fixed time of death, which destroys countless universes, is forever mighty and unavoidable.

Sortha:

tumhahi na byåpata kåla ati karåla kårana kavana |

mohi so kahahu krpåla gyåna prabhåva ki joga bala ||94(A)||

Doha:

prabhu tava åsrama åe° mora moha bhrama bhåga |

kårana kavana so nåtha saba kahahu sahita anuråga ||94(B)||

Lord Shiva During the Mahapralaya or Great Dissolution

How is it that the most terrifying Kala has no power over you? Tell me, O gracious One! What is the reason for this. Is it the glory of spiritual insight or a feat of yoga? O lord, my infatuation and delusion vanished, the moment I visited your hermitage. How did this happen, O Nath! Explain to me lovingly.