
Have you ever felt like raising your hands in ecstasy when a small miracle sweeps past you? It could be as light as a breeze, but full of magic and power. Let me give you an example:
The sentence I was editing in a translation had a phrase…’why didn’t he wear a watch?’ As I ponder, with the cursor on the word watch, Lata Mangheshkar croons ‘meri ghadi bandh thi…’to my ears.
I just looked at His picture and bowed. Yes, Your eyes are on me always. And You do enjoy spinning Your magic at times!
My interpretation of Goswami Tulsidasji’s Sundar Kanda ( Sriramcharitmanas) was published in 2017. Hopefully, in a couple of months Kishkinda Kanda will be released. Time to start the journey again: and I submit Lanka Kanda at His beautiful feet.
May He guide me in this journey across the glorious Lanka Kanda too.
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Chapter One:
Ramam Kamaarisevyam Bhavabhayaharanam Kalamattebhasimham
Yogindram Gyanagamyam Gunanidhimajitam Nirgunam Nirvikaram/
Mayateetam Suresham Khalavadhanirantam Brahwavrindaikadevam
Vande Kandavadantam Sarasijanayanam Devamurvisharoopam//
The devotee of Lord Shiv (enemy of Kamadev), the One who vanquishes the fear of worldly lives and deaths, a Lion facing the intoxicated elephant of Time/Kaal, the Lord of Yogis, the One who can be accessed through knowledge, the Epitome of virtues, the Unconquerable, Nirgun (beyond definitions of good and bad), Nirvikar ( indifferent to fluctuating emotions), the One beyond illusions, the Lord of the Gods, the One who exterminates evil doers, the Protector of the good, the Beautiful One coloured like a rain cloud, the Lotus-eyed one, the One who has taken the form of King on earth : Sree Ramji, I bow before thee.
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Shankendwabhamathivasundaramtanu Shardoolacharmambaram
Kalavyalakaralabhooshanadharam Gangashashankapriyam/
Kashisham Kalikalmashaukhashamanam Kalyanakalpadrumam
Naumishyam Girijapathim Gunanidhim Kandarpaham Shankaram//
One with the glow of the conch shell and crescent moon on his body, dressed in the skin of a tiger, the One adorned with black, fearsome serpents on his body, Beloved of Ganga and the Moon, the Lord of Kashi, the One who removes the sins accrued in Kaliyug, the incarnation of virtues, the One who burnt Kamadeva to ashes, the Husband of Parvathy: Shankarji, I bow before thee.
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Yo Datati Satam Shambu Kaivalyamapi Durlabham/
Khalanam Dandakrikhosau Shankaram Sham Tanotu Mei//
The One who bestows the rare salvation(mukti) to the good souls, the One who punishes the evil doers: Shankarji the Generous, may bless me graciously.
Doha:
Lav Nimesh Parmanu Jug Barash Kalap Sar Chand/
Bhajasi Na Mann Tehi Ram Ko Kaalu Jaasu Kodand//
Hey mind! Why don’t you meditate on Sri Ramji who has different facets of time- moment,year, aeon et al- as his arrows and Time as his bow?
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Sindhu Bachan Suni Ram Sachiv Boli Prabhu As Kahevu/
Ab Bilamb Kehi Kaam Karahu Setu Utarai Kataku//
After listening to the words of Varuna (The God of Oceans) Sri Ramji called his trusted team leaders (ministers) and spoke: ‘Why are we delaying anymore? Let us get the bridge ready so that the army can move.’
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Sunahu Bhanukul Ketu Jamvant Kar Jori Kah/
Nadh Naam Tav Setu Nar Chadi Bhavsagar Tarahim//
Jambavan said with folded hands: ‘Please listen to me dear Lord, the scion of Surya Vamsha, (the flag bearer of the Sun Clan); The greatest bridge is your own name, reciting which (taking refuge) mankind can cross the ocean of worldly illusions.’
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Yeh Laghu Jaladhi Tarat Kathi Bara/ As Suni Puni Kah Pavankumara//
Prabhu Pratap Badvanal Bhari/ Soshevu Pradham Payonidhi Bari//
‘How long will it take to cross such a small ocean?’ Hearing that, the Son of Wind (Hanumanji) said: ‘The Lord’s glory is like the flame on the ocean. It had already dried up the ocean waters.’
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Tav Ripu Naari Rudan Jal Dhaara/ Bharevu Bahori Bhayavu Tehim Khaara//
Suni Athi Ukuthi Pavansut Keri/ Harshe Kapi Raghupathi Tan Heri//
‘But then it gets filled up again with the tears of the enemies’ women (widows left behind), and becomes salty ’. Hearing Hanumanji’s striking simile, the monkeys joyously gazed at Sri Ramji.
Jamvant Bole Dovu Bhai/ Nal Neelahi Sab Kadha Sunayi/
Ram Pratap Sumiri Mann Mahim/ Karahu Setu Prayas Kachu Nahim//
Jambavan called the brothers-Nal and Neel- to his side and explained the challenge in front of them. He asked the brothers (they were skilled in engineering) to remember SriRamji and start building the bridge. Jambavan said that due to the grace of the Lord, it would be effortless.
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