Dullard Ocean made no answer to prayer, though three days had been spent; then cried Râma in a fury: "He will do me no kindness, unless he is frightened.
Lakshman, bring me my bow and arrows: with my fiery darts I will dry up the deep. To use entreaties to a churl, to lavish affection upon a rogue, to deal liberally with a born miser, to discourse of divine wisdom with a man devoted to self, to speak of detachment from the world to the covetous, to tell of Hari to a man under the influence of passion or love, is all the same as sowing the sand in hope of a harvest.” So saying, Rāma strung his bow, a proceeding that pleased Lakshman mightily. The Lord let fly the terrible shaft; a burning pain ensued in the bosom of ocean; the crocodiles, serpents and fish were all sore distressed. When Ocean perceived that these creatures were burning, he filled a golden dish with all kinds of jewels and humbly presented himself in the form of a Brāhman.
Dohā 58
Though you may take infinite trouble in watering it, a plantain will not bear fruit, until it has been well trimmed; similarly, mark me, Garur, a mean upstart heeds neither prayers nor compliments, but requires rougher treatment.
Chaupāī
Terrified Ocean clasped the Lord’s feet; “Pardon me, Sire, all my offences. Air, wind, fire, water and earth are all, my lord, naturally dull and slow to change. They have been produced by the delusive power that you sent forth with a view to creation—so all the scriptures declare—and as each has been fixed by the Lord’s command, so it must remain, to secure its own happiness. My lord has done well in giving me this lesson; but still it was You who first fixed my bounds. A drum, a clown, a churl, a beast, and a woman are all fit subjects for beating. By my lord’s favor, I shall be dried up, the army will cross over, and my glory will be at an end; the scriptures declare the word of the Lord to be unchangeable; do then at once what seemeth you good.”
Lakshman, bring me my bow and arrows: with my fiery darts I will dry up the deep. To use entreaties to a churl, to lavish affection upon a rogue, to deal liberally with a born miser, to discourse of divine wisdom with a man devoted to self, to speak of detachment from the world to the covetous, to tell of Hari to a man under the influence of passion or love, is all the same as sowing the sand in hope of a harvest.” So saying, Rāma strung his bow, a proceeding that pleased Lakshman mightily. The Lord let fly the terrible shaft; a burning pain ensued in the bosom of ocean; the crocodiles, serpents and fish were all sore distressed. When Ocean perceived that these creatures were burning, he filled a golden dish with all kinds of jewels and humbly presented himself in the form of a Brāhman.
Dohā 58
Though you may take infinite trouble in watering it, a plantain will not bear fruit, until it has been well trimmed; similarly, mark me, Garur, a mean upstart heeds neither prayers nor compliments, but requires rougher treatment.
Chaupāī
Terrified Ocean clasped the Lord’s feet; “Pardon me, Sire, all my offences. Air, wind, fire, water and earth are all, my lord, naturally dull and slow to change. They have been produced by the delusive power that you sent forth with a view to creation—so all the scriptures declare—and as each has been fixed by the Lord’s command, so it must remain, to secure its own happiness. My lord has done well in giving me this lesson; but still it was You who first fixed my bounds. A drum, a clown, a churl, a beast, and a woman are all fit subjects for beating. By my lord’s favor, I shall be dried up, the army will cross over, and my glory will be at an end; the scriptures declare the word of the Lord to be unchangeable; do then at once what seemeth you good.”
Dohā 59
The Lord smiled to hear this exceedingly humble speech, and said, “Tell me, father, some device, how the monkey host may cross over?”
Chaupāī
“My lord, there are two monkey brothers, Nila and Nala, who from childhood have been instructed by a sage. The mightiest mountains touched by them will by your favor float upon the waves. I too, remembering your majesty, will assist to the best of my power. In this manner, my lord, you will bridge the sea and the glorious deed will be sung in earth, heaven and hell. With this arrow, Sire, slay the dwellers on my northern shore, who are vile criminals.” The All-merciful, on hearing Ocean’s grievance, at once removed it, the valiant Rāma. At the sight of his mighty vigour Ocean rejoiced and became easy of mind, and after telling him all that had taken place, bowed at his feet and took his leave.
Chhand 3
Ocean returned home and Rāma approved his counsel. These his acts, which remove all the impurities of this sinful age, has Tulsi Das sung to the best of his ability. The excellencies of Raghupati are a treasure of delight, a panacea for all doubt, a purge for every sorrow, and they who are wise of heart will abandon all other hope and confidence and be ever singing them or hearing them sung.
The Lord smiled to hear this exceedingly humble speech, and said, “Tell me, father, some device, how the monkey host may cross over?”
Chaupāī
“My lord, there are two monkey brothers, Nila and Nala, who from childhood have been instructed by a sage. The mightiest mountains touched by them will by your favor float upon the waves. I too, remembering your majesty, will assist to the best of my power. In this manner, my lord, you will bridge the sea and the glorious deed will be sung in earth, heaven and hell. With this arrow, Sire, slay the dwellers on my northern shore, who are vile criminals.” The All-merciful, on hearing Ocean’s grievance, at once removed it, the valiant Rāma. At the sight of his mighty vigour Ocean rejoiced and became easy of mind, and after telling him all that had taken place, bowed at his feet and took his leave.
Chhand 3
Ocean returned home and Rāma approved his counsel. These his acts, which remove all the impurities of this sinful age, has Tulsi Das sung to the best of his ability. The excellencies of Raghupati are a treasure of delight, a panacea for all doubt, a purge for every sorrow, and they who are wise of heart will abandon all other hope and confidence and be ever singing them or hearing them sung.
Dohā 60
The virtues of Raghunāyak are the source of every blessing and those who reverently hear their recital cross the ocean of existence without any need for a boat.
The virtues of Raghunāyak are the source of every blessing and those who reverently hear their recital cross the ocean of existence without any need for a boat.