He had great love for his wife: without asking his leave she went home to her father; he forgot all about himself and hastened there too. She was greatly ashamed, and went away in anger, saying: “Have you no love for Râma? My body is but a framework of skin and bone.” When he heard these words it was, as it were, the daybreak; he felt compunction and left her and sped to the city of Kâsi. There he made his abode, worshipping the lord publicly, making a rigid vow, and thirsting exceedingly for a vision.
A certain ghost, who had secured the remainder of the water he had used in washing, was grateful and told him of Hanumân. “A recitation of the Râmâyana has a special charm for his ears; he will be disguised in mean attire, but is always the first to come and the last to leave.” Thus recognising him as he left, he went with him in full confidence, and in the wood, knowing him to be in truth the god, ran and embraced his feet, crying with a shout of joy: “You shall not escape me.” Perceiving his intense devotion, he assumed the form in which he is famous and said: “Ask of me what you will.” “I am ever craving to behold with my very eyes the incomparable beauty of King Râma.” He told him the place for meeting. From that day forth he was longing till the time came, thinking: “When shall I behold his beauty?” Raghunâth came, and with him Lakshman, both mounted on horseback, in green raiment (like huntsmen). Why should he notice them? Afterwards came Hanumân and said: “Have you seen your dear lord?” “I did not give them even a glance; turn now and speak to them again.”
A certain ghost, who had secured the remainder of the water he had used in washing, was grateful and told him of Hanumân. “A recitation of the Râmâyana has a special charm for his ears; he will be disguised in mean attire, but is always the first to come and the last to leave.” Thus recognising him as he left, he went with him in full confidence, and in the wood, knowing him to be in truth the god, ran and embraced his feet, crying with a shout of joy: “You shall not escape me.” Perceiving his intense devotion, he assumed the form in which he is famous and said: “Ask of me what you will.” “I am ever craving to behold with my very eyes the incomparable beauty of King Râma.” He told him the place for meeting. From that day forth he was longing till the time came, thinking: “When shall I behold his beauty?” Raghunâth came, and with him Lakshman, both mounted on horseback, in green raiment (like huntsmen). Why should he notice them? Afterwards came Hanumân and said: “Have you seen your dear lord?” “I did not give them even a glance; turn now and speak to them again.”
A Brâhman, who had committed a murder, came on a pilgrimage, crying: “For the love of Râma give an alms even to me, a murderer.” On hearing the delightful name, he called him into his own house, and gave him of the offerings to the god, and purified him and sang the praises of his beloved. The Brâhmans met in conclave and summoned him before them, saying: “How has his guilt been remitted that you could thus take and eat with him apart?” “Read your books; their real meaning has not penetrated your heart; therefore your faith is dull and your blindness has not been removed.” “We have read and examined our books; the virtue of the Name is truly as you have said; but can a murderer be absolved? Please explain that.” “Tell me how I may convince you.” They said: “If Siva’s bull will eat from his hand, then will we receive him into our company.” He gave him of the temple offerings in a dish and they returned to the place where he had made the vow. There he cried: “Saturate their souls with the glory of Thy name; Thou knowest how the matter stands, what can I say?” On hearing those words he graciously accepted the offering: there was a joyous shout of Victory, Victory.
Some thieves came by night to thieve and plunder his goods: but beheld a cloud-dark form with bow and arrows in his hand. Whenever he approached with ready shafts they were afraid; and though they went round and round they could not get rid of this watchman. At daybreak they came and asked him: “Sir, who is this dark-complexioned lad of yours?” On hearing this question, he remained silent and wept; then gave away all that he had, knowing that Râma Himself had been the watchman. They were initiated and received instruction, and became pure of heart.
Some thieves came by night to thieve and plunder his goods: but beheld a cloud-dark form with bow and arrows in his hand. Whenever he approached with ready shafts they were afraid; and though they went round and round they could not get rid of this watchman. At daybreak they came and asked him: “Sir, who is this dark-complexioned lad of yours?” On hearing this question, he remained silent and wept; then gave away all that he had, knowing that Râma Himself had been the watchman. They were initiated and received instruction, and became pure of heart.
A Brâhman had died; his wife was following him to the pyre. She saw him at a distance and made him obeisance. He addressed her as a happy wife. She replied: “My husband is dead, and I am about to perish with him.” “The word has passed my lips; I will restore him to life; worship thou Râma.” Then he called her kinsfolk and said, “But you must adopt a religious life.” They hearkened to his word, and he restored the man to the delights of life. They all became saints, when he had taken away their sinful forwardness: none can see heaven in whom passion still lives.
The Emperor of Delhi sent an officer to fetch him, explaining, “It is he, you must know, who brought the Brâhman to life again.” “He is anxious to see you,” they said, “so come; all will be well.” They spoke so courteously that he agreed and went. They arrived before the king, who received him with honour, gave him an exalted seat, and said in gracious tones: “Let me see a miracle; it is noised throughout the world that you are master of everything.” He said: “It is false; know that Râma is all in all.” “How is Râma to be seen?” he said, and threw him into prison. He prayed within himself: “O gracious Hanumân, have pity upon me.” That very moment thousands upon thousands of sturdy monkeys spread all over the place, clawing bodies, tearing clothes, and great was the alarm. They broke open the fort, wounding the men, destroying everything; where could one fly for safety? It seemed as though the end of the world had come. Then his eyes were opened by this taste of a sea of calamities, and he cried, “Now I wager all my treasure it is he only who can save me.” He came and clasped his feet: “If you give me life, I live; pray speak to them.” “Better watch the miracle a little.” The king was overwhelmed with confusion. Then he stopped it all and said: “Quickly abandon this spot, for it is the abode of Râma.” At the word he quitted the place and went and built a new fort, and to this day anyone who abides there falls ill and dies.
After returning to Kâsi he came to Brindâ-ban and met Nâbhâ Ji, and heard his poetry, and his whole soul was filled with delight. On visiting the shrine of Madan Gopâl he said: “Of a truth Râma is my special patron; I would fain see him.” Then appeared the god to him in that very form; and he was glad on beholding his incomparable beauty. It was said to him, “The Krishna Avatâr is of greatest renown; Râma was only a partial incarnation.” On hearing this he said: “My soul was full of love for Him when I took him only for the son of Dasarath and admired his incomparable beauty; now that you tell me of his divinity, my love is increased twenty-fold.”