The Story of Ramayana- Garura's illusion.

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In a message dated 5/28/99 5:37:32 PM Pacific Daylight Time,

chandran writes:

>

> Ram Chandran <chandran

>

> Hari Om!

>

> The story of Ramayana is quite important because Rama the reincarnation

> Vishnu in human form truly represents the perfect sage.

(Deleted)

 

Rama and Lakshmana are ambushed by the serpent arrows of Ravanna's

> invisible brother Indrajit, but are healed by the eagle Garuda, before

> finally defeating him.

(Deleted)

 

Dear revered members of Advaitin.

My daily salutation to you all, I enjoy reading all the discussion that goes

in this list & I am trying to learn everyday from such a beautiful, Satsanga.

I feel very fortunate to be a member here.

I greatly enjoy singing the verses (doha & chaupai) of Ramayana & Bhagbat

Geeta; while walking in the woods (Santa Cruz Mountains in San Francisco Bay

Area in California)

Here I would like to add some of the detail given in Tulsi Krit Ramayana

which is translated by A.G. ATKINS. I hope our advaitin members will find

this worth reading; If you find this interesting, I will be glad to add

later, the further talk between Garura & Kak bhusundi, which is full of

knowledge.

Namaste

Raju K. Chhatry

http://www.serenitywalks.com

*********

(Lord Siva is describing this story to his consort Parvati)

 

When Raghunath played in the battle his game-

I confess that it gave me a feeling of shame -

He submitted to bonds by Meghnad's wily tricks;

Narad then sent Garur to give aid in this flx;

The great snake-eater cut all the bonds, then returned;

But a fire of dejection within fiercely burned;

He considered that Rama had been truly bound;

And gave thus to this thing troubled thought and profound:

"The Supreme spirit, pervading all, lord of speech,

"Whom illusion and falsity never can reach,

"He , I heard, has incarnate become upon earth;

"But I saw no clear sign of divine pow'r or worth!

 

"He in whose name true worship when offered delivers

"From birth-and-death's fast -binding toils,

"That Lord Rama himself I have seen fast ensnared

"By a demon in strong snake-like coils."

 

For a long time this myst'ry he pondered and weighed;

But no light came; dark error his mind over-laid;

By his arguments into more trouble he fell;

Like you, Uma blind questions held him in their spell.

In his worry he Narad, the great sage, sought out,

And to him opened up all his questioning doubt;

As he heard, the saint answered in kindness and grace:

"Rama's illusive pow'r, bird-friend, holds supreme place;

"From the wisest his sense of discernment it steals,

"Till the bondage of doubt and delusion he feels;

"The same thing that once led me a maddening dance,

"Has got hold of you now, King of Birds, by this chance;

"Words of mine, my friend, cannot free you from the prison

"Of confusion that in your mind has arisen;

"To Brahma, the four-faced one, go with your questions,

"And then carry out his commands and suggestions."

 

The heaven-born saint, with these words, and the praises

Of Rama uplifting, departed;

He told of the illusive might of the Lord,

In the words of one wise and good-hearted.

 

The eagle garura sought out Lord Brahma next,

And told to him the doubtings by which he was vext;

Understanding Lord Rama's great pow'r, the Creator

Bowed rev'rently and his heart's love grew the greater;

Within himself he on this strange question brooded:

"E'en poets and wise sages may be deluded;

"The illusive pow''r of Lord Vishnu unbounded

"Has many a time had me also confounded,

"Altho' I created all things that exist;

"Tis no wonder Garur his spell could not resist."

Then he said to Garur, in a soft pleasant tone:

"Rama's Lordship and pow'r are to Siva well known;

"Go to him, son of Vinata; make a straight course;

"There your doubts will be answered." The great King of Birds

Went his way again at these the Creator's words:

 

He, said Siva, then came to me; I when we met

Saw the bird some hard blow had sustained;

I was then on my way to the home of Kuver;

In Kailas, Uma, you had remained.

 

First he bowed with deep rev'rance his head at my feet;

Then his doubts and his trouble began to repeat;

Having heard all in his soft sincere tones, then I

Made, Bhawani, with all my heart's love this reply:

"You have met me, Garur, as I journey; then how "

"Can I this matter fully explain to you now?

"When some time in the comp'ny of saints you've enjoyed,

"Then your misunderstandings will all be destroyed;

"There you'll hear the Lord's story that always rejoices

"The heart, and that saints sing in varying voices;

"In which, from beginning to end, presentation

"Of Rama as Lord is the aim of narration;

"Where his divine story, as told without ending,

"You always can hear, brother; there you I'm sending;

"The hearing of that all your dark doubts will banish;

"In firm humble love for Lord Rama they'll Vanish.

 

"That story is heard in saints' comp'ny alone;

"Till it's heard not one doubt or false notion

"Will go; and till they are all gone there cannot

"Be for Lord Rama loyal devotion.

 

"Despite self-restraint, deep long thought, pray'r, and learning

"Lord Rama is not found apart from such yearning;

"There lives in the north by a charming blue hill,

"One Bhusundi, a crow, known for courte'us goodwill;

"In devotion to Rama a warm-hearted sage;

"Home of learning and virtue, and one of great age;

"Rama's story he always is telling, and there

"Many fine birds come, these things to hear him declare;

"Go you, and to the Lord's virtues there listen well,

When I thus had directed him, he-lighter-hearted-

Bowed low at my feet, Uma, and then departed.

I would not do more to enlighten his blindness,

For this I had learned of him by Rama's kindness-

He sometimes displayed proud conceit; the Lord gave him

This chance that in mercy from this he might save him;

This too-I would not keep him, but sent him seeking

Yet further, since birds know the bird's way of speaking.

Bhawani! O'er all the Lord's myst'ry-power falls;

'Tis a problem that even the learned appals.

 

When Garur, learned chief of devout ones, whose wings

Have in flight the Lord of all Spheres carried,

By doubt and delusion was troubled; by such things

The ignorant well might be harried.

When such things perplex even Siva and Brahma,

True saints, heeding this in their hearts, to the Lord

Of all myst'ry sincere worship offer.